Jo Brand

Having established herself as a leading voice in British comedy, Jo Brand launched her acclaimed Channel 4 series ‘Jo Brand Through the Cakehole,’ co-written with Jim Miller, which aired from 1993 to 1996. Brand first gained early television exposure in the mid-1980s on programs such as ‘Saturday Live,’ quickly becoming a prominent figure in the British alternative comedy movement. Her early career also saw a cameo appearance in the iconic BBC series ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ in 1994, followed by a role in the 1999 film ‘Human Traffic.’ Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Brand became a highly sought-after guest on popular panel shows, notably appearing on ‘Have I Got News for You’ and becoming the most frequent guest on ‘QI’ with an impressive 34 appearances. Her writing talents extended to prose, with the publication of her novel ‘Sorting Out Billy’ in 2004.

Beyond her extensive entertainment career, Brand is a dedicated advocate for mental health awareness. Her contributions in this field have been recognized with an honorary doctorate from the University of Glamorgan in 2007, a Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Lifetime Achievement Award in the same year, and an Honorary Degree from the University of Suffolk in 2009. She received a second honorary doctorate from Canterbury Christ Church University in 2014. Committed to various charitable causes, Brand actively supports organizations including ActionAid, Children in Need, and Sport Relief, for which she undertook a challenging 150-mile walk across Britain in 2016, raising significant funds and awareness.