Alan Johnson served at the very heart of government during the Blair and Brown years, holding several senior cabinet roles including Health Secretary, Education Secretary and Home Secretary. Yet alongside his political career ran a lesser known but deeply felt ambition: a dream of becoming a pop star. We’re very excited to be working with Alan for his tour ‘The Beatles, Harold Wilson & Me: An Evening With Alan Johnson’.
Podcast Queen and award-winning Irish stand-up Alison Spittle!
Her chat show podcast ‘The Alison Spittle Show’ has amassed a huge following with guests such as Sharon Horgan, Adam Hills and David O’Doherty and she performs at podcast festivals across Ireland and the UK. She even has another new podcast ‘Are Findus Crispy Pancakes Feminist?’; an ambitious documentary on the role of Findus Crispy pancakes in the feminist movement of the late 21st century, featuring Kerry Katona.
Alison was a regular contributor to the RTÉ series Republic of Telly where she wrote and performed her own segment ‘A Guide to Mullingar’. She was a team captain on the panel show ‘Choose or Lose’, a correspondent on ‘This is Ireland’ with Des Bishop on RTÉ 2 and also presented television coverage of the music festival Electric Picnic. She wrote and starred in ‘Alison Spittle in Ireland’ a short film produced by Baby Cow Productions for Sky Arts.
Atsuko Okatsuka is a Taiwanese-American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer based in Los Angeles. Named one of Variety’s “Top 10 Comics to Watch” in 2022, she became the second Asian American woman to have a stand-up special on HBO. Known for her unique comedic style, Atsuko blends absurdity with heartfelt storytelling, often drawing from her complex upbringing.
Born in Taiwan to Japanese and Taiwanese parents, Atsuko spent her early years in Japan before moving to the United States at age eight with her mother and grandmother, living undocumented for seven years. Her experiences deeply inform her comedy, which has been described as having a “childlike quality” with sharp social observations.
Atsuko released her debut comedy album, But I Control Me, in 2020 and hosted the game show Let’s Go Atsuko on Quibi. She gained widespread attention for performing a stand-up set during an earthquake at The Ice House in 2019, keeping the audience engaged with quick-witted jokes as the tremors unfolded. She made her late-night debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden in 2021, which Vulture declared had “won late night” that week.
Her HBO special The Intruder premiered in December 2022 and was named Best Debut of 2022 by The New York Times, also earning a spot on Vulture’s list of Best Comedy Specials of the Year. The special won Best Comedy Special at the Gracie Awards, and Variety recognised her in their 2023 Comedy Impact Report.
Beyond stand-up, Atsuko has made viral moments on talk shows, teaching Chelsea Handler and Guillermo Rodriguez her #DropChallenge on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and making Stephen Colbert laugh with Bible puns on The Late Show. She has been featured in Vanity Fair, PBS Newshour, and on the cover of The New York Times Magazine, where Margaret Cho crowned her as her comedic heir.
Atsuko’s journey—including being “kidnapped” by her grandmother to move to the U.S.—was shared on This American Life in 2023. With a career defined by resilience, humour, and community, she continues to make her mark as one of the most original voices in comedy today.
For all enquires please contact Helen@impressivepr.com
Caitlin Cook is an LA-born, NYC-based comedian, musician, writer, and producer known for her genre-bending approach to musical comedy. A New York Times Critic’s Pick, she has carved out a unique space in entertainment, blending sharp humor with original music and theatrical storytelling. Her hit show The Writing on the Stall—an uproarious musical inspired by bathroom graffiti—has sold out runs Off-Broadway, at the Edinburgh Fringe, and across the UK, with an accompanying album amassing over 50 million streams.
Beyond her own performances, Caitlin has worked as a creative consultant for Sean Patton’s Number One (Peacock), produced Gabe Mollica’s Solo (featured on This American Life), and directed A.J. Holmes’ Yeah, But Not Right Now. She is also one half of the musical comedy duo 2/3rds of a Threesome. Her other albums, Zinger-Songwriter and Betty Pitch, showcase her ability to craft clever, infectious tunes. With her signature wit and fearless creativity, Caitlin continues to push the boundaries of musical comedy on stage and beyond.
Cally Beaton is a keynote speaker, awards host, comedian, business leader, podcaster, writer and entrepreneur. Well-known for being a natural storyteller, full of intelligent, distinctive and insightful material, Cally is one of the UK’s most sought-after names for corporate, broadcasting and live comedy work.
Her television appearances to date include being a regular panellist on BBC2’s QI and The Apprentice: You’re Fired, as well as featuring on: Live At The Apollo, Pointless Celebrities, Richard Osman’s House of Games and The Blame Game.
She is popular with BBC Radio 4 audiences where her appearances include: The Now Show, The Unbelievable Truth, Saturday Live and Museum Of Curiosity. She is also a regular contributor on Radio 5 Live, Times Radio and BBC London.
In 2021, Cally launched Namaste Motherf**kers, the only podcast where the worlds of comedy, self-help and business collide. With the help of celebrity guests and experts, Cally gets to the stories you’ve never heard before – uncovering not your normal life lessons, but some big ones nonetheless, bringing heart and humour into the worlds of work and wellbeing. She is working on a book, incorporating her own insights alongside the life hacks and confessions of her celebrity guests.
Comedy Women In Print is the brainchild of comedian, author, actress Helen Lederer. Its aim is to recognise, celebrate and encourage witty women authors. We’ve created a platform for both aspiring and established witty writers. CWIP not only offers a publishing deal with Harper fiction to a NEW witty writer, but it also gives mega publicity and respect to the BEST funny fiction around.
The Published Novel Winner gets a massive amount of love from clever, celebrity judges and a stonking cash prize.
The Unpublished Novel Winner is published by Harper Collins and receive an advance and huge attention. The Unpublished runner upper’s win a place on an MA in Creative Writing at the University of Hertfordshire and an MA in Comedy at Falmouth University.
The Short Story Winner and Shortlisted entries will appear in (working title cos we like it so much) ‘FUNNY SHORTS’ – an anthology of witty women’s writing, published by Farrago and showcased in the company of CWIP’s much loved witty authors.
Darren Harriott is one of the most exciting comedians on the circuit. Over the last few years, he has hosted Live at the Apollo, BBC’s News Jack Unplugged and CBBC’s The Dog Ate My Homework. He has become a regular face on our screens on panel shows such Mock the Week and Don’t Hate the Playaz as well as giving his viewpoint on popular reality shows; The Apprentice: Your Fired and The Great British Bake Off: Extra Slice. He’s a Comedy Central favourite on shows such as The Comedy Bus and Roast Battle. Earlier this year he wrote and recorded his own 4 part series Black Label on BBC Radio 4.
His work is recognised across the creative industries. Not only did he receive Nominations at Edinburgh for Best Comedy Show in 2019 and Best Newcomer in 2017, but he has also been immortalised in a mural in Birmingham which celebrates the city’s rising Stars.
Following his Best Newcomer nomination for his debut show Defiant at Edinburgh in 2017, he sold out a solo run at Soho Theatre. After his second nomination for best show for Good Heart Yute in 2019, he will be doing not one but two runs at the infamous London location – the second of which is a 5 day run in February 2020.
Originally from Birmingham, and now living in London, Darren Harriott is a regular at clubs such as 99 Club, Top Secret, Backyard Comedy Club, The Boat Show, Up the Creek and The Glee.
A confident performer with a captivating charm, Darren’s comedy deals with everything from subverting stereotypes, to everyday observations, to that juiciest of topics, religion – all with a cutting edge.
Fiona Allen is the star and co-writer of Emmy and Bafta award winning TV series ‘Smack The Pony’
Fiona’s many other screen credits are extensive and include Dalziel & Pascoe, Coronation Street, Poirot, Eastenders, Casualty, Shameless, In Deep, Happiness, Skins (as wife to Bill Bailey’s character), Waterloo Road, Mock The Week, Alan Partridge’s Scissored Isle, Death In Paradise and 8 Out of 10 Cats. She has also appeared in numerous films including 24 Hour Party People, Fat Slags and Gladiatress.
Hal Cruttenden is one of the top touring stand up comedians working in the UK and Ireland today, as well as being a highly accomplished writer, presenter and actor.
He has made several appearances on ‘Live at the Apollo’ (BBC1 & 2), ‘Have I Got News For You’ (BBC1), ‘The Royal Variety Performance’ (ITV1), ‘Would I Lie To You’ (BBC1) ‘The One Show’ (BBC1), ‘The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice’ (BBC2 & Channel 4) and ‘The Apprentice: You’re Fired’ (BBC2).
He’s toured extensively in the UK and Ireland over the last 8 years, he has also taken shows to the Montreal, Melbourne, and New Zealand comedy festivals and he’s recorded three stand up specials for Next Up -‘Tough Luvvie’, ‘Straight Outta Cruttenden’ and ‘Chubster’. Hal’s current tour, ‘It’s Best You Hear it From Me’ is on the road now.
Hal wrote and starred in his own sitcom, ‘Hal’ on Radio 4, as an actor he trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, he has appeared in ‘Shackleton’; ‘Eastenders’; ‘Touching Evil’, ‘Bramwell’, ‘Mrs Dalloway‘, ‘Brexit’, ‘Making News’ and ‘Orwell A Celebration’.
Hannah Platt is a rising star in the UK comedy scene, celebrated for her sharp wit, candid style, and undeniable talent. Named “Voice of a Generation” by The Skinny and praised for her “humour sharp enough to draw blood” by The Guardian, Hannah has quickly become one of the most exciting and critically acclaimed voices in stand-up.
Her sell-out debut show, Defence Mechanism, earned her multiple five- and four-star reviews from The Scotsman, Chortle, and DIVA Magazine, while also securing nominations for prestigious awards including Next Up’s Biggest Award in Comedy and the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer. Her unique approach to comedy, blending deeply personal trauma with punchy, effective stand-up, has earned her accolades across the industry, with Rolling Stone UKdeclaring that she is “in the form of her life”.
A regular on BBC Radio 4, where she has written and performed for Fresh from the Fringe, The News Quiz, The Now Show, and Newsjack, Hannah has also appeared on Comedy Central Live and written for BBC Three’s Laugh Lessons. Her powerful stage presence and witty material have seen her support top comedians such as Fern Brady, Lou Sanders, Kiri Pritchard-McClean, and Ashley Gavin on their UK tours.
In addition to her impressive TV and radio credits, Hannah has performed at some of the UK’s most iconic comedy venues, including Comedy Store Manchester, Latitude Festival, Download Festival, Komedia Bath, and the Leicester Comedy Festival. Her shows are renowned for hitting “the sweet spot between harsh and hilarious” (Starburst Magazine) and for their “diamond-quality punchlines” (Steve Bennett, Chortle).
Nominated for Best Newcomer at the Comedian’s Choice Awards and the Leicester Comedy Festival, and finishing as a Finalist in the BBC New Comedian of the Year 2019, Hannah Platt is firmly established as a gifted, engaging, and forthright comic with a brilliant future ahead. As Fest Mag put it, “It’s quite the honour to witness her early days, knowing that the best is yet to come.”
For all enquiries please contact helen@impressivepr.com
Janet Vera Street-Porter CBE is an English broadcaster, journalist, writer, and media personality. She began her career in 1969 as a fashion writer and columnist at the Daily Mail and was appointed fashion editor of the Evening Standard in 1971.
Jay Shetty is an award-winning storyteller, podcaster and former monk who is making wisdom go viral. In 2016, Jay Shetty launched his Facebook page and his entertaining and inspiring videos have racked up over 200 million views across multiple social media platforms and gained over one million followers globally. In 2017, he was named to Forbes Europe’s 30 Under 30 list for his role as a game-changer and influencer in the world of Media. He recently published his first book, Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day. In pre-order sales, it has already reached the top of the best selling lists in India, the U.K. and the U.S.
At the age of 22, Jay was inspired to make a difference in the world. After graduating with a 1st class BSc (Honors) Degree in Behavioral Science from Cass Business School in London, he left everything behind to live as a monk in India. For 3 years, Jay helped establish sustainable villages and food distribution programs, and coached millennials across the world.
Wanting to pay forward what he learned from his time as a monk, Jay began sharing his experiences in universities and the world’s largest corporations including EY and Nasdaq. During this time, Jay recognized the world was going digital and joined Accenture’s team as a Social Media Coach to help executives with their online branding and digital strategy.
After starting his Facebook page in 2016 with the goal of sharing wisdom at the rate we want entertainment, Arianna Huffington took notice of Jay’s talent and chose him to be the Host of HuffPost Lifestyle in New York. On his HuffPost Live daily show, #FollowTheReader, he interviewed the likes of Russell Simmons, Tim Ferris and Deepak Chopra, reached 1 million people daily (updated number?) and was No. 1 for engagement amongst The Huffington Post Facebook Live shows.
He has been invited to be the keynote speaker for sessions about finding purpose, harnessing collaboration and driving change at leading companies including Google, Facebook and HSBC.
Among his awards are the 2016 ITV Asian Media Award for Best Blog, 3rd place in the 2015 Guardian Rising Star Award, the 2018 Streamys award for Health and Wellness, and Outstanding Achievement Online at the 2019 Asian Awards.
Jay continues to partner with publishers, broadcasters and organizations to create impactful content that entertains and inspires global audiences
Jim Jefferies is one of the most popular and respected comedians of his generation, entertaining audiences across the globe with his provocative, belief-challenging, and thought-provoking comedy. He was recently named one of the top five touring comedians in the world.
After receiving rave reviews for his 2018 international stand up tour, The Unusual Punishment Tour, Jim is back on the road with an entirely new routine for his The Night Talker Tour, which he’ll be performing internationally and nationally through November 2019.
Jim recently signed a first look deal with Comedy Central for content development in television and digital media. Additionally, Jim’s eponymous Comedy Central series, “The Jim Jefferies Show”, has been picked up for a third season and premiered Mach 19, 2019. As a strong voice in late night, the weekly series features Jim traveling across the globe to tackle the top news stories and controversial issues of the day. In addition to the series, Jim also continues to head up the weekly podcast series, “The Jim Jefferies Show” Podcast, co-hosted by Forrest Shaw. The podcast, from Comedy Central’s Podcast Network, includes interviews and discussions with a variety of guests discussing current news and politics, as well as providing a more in-depth focus on the topics and opinions featured on the television series—with less filters.
In 2018, Jim starred in his third Netflix comedy special “Jim Jefferies: This Is Me Now”. Performing at the Eventim Apollo in London, he unapologetically kept it real opening up the challenges of being a single father, as well as, the weirdest gig he ever played. The year before, he released his fifth major stand up special in seven years, “Freedumb”. The special was Jim’s second to air on Netflix, and followed the huge success of the first, “Jim Jefferies: BARE”, in which he delivered a now iconic routine on guns and gun control in the United States.
In addition, Jim created, wrote, produced, and starred in the critically acclaimed FX series “Legit”, which ran for two seasons and has since gained a cult following. He has also appeared in the films “Killing Hasselhoff” and “Punching Henry”.
Jim is one of the most inspirational and highly sought-after business speakers in Europe. After starting life as a City lawyer, he founded the cultural change consultancy firm Optimise (now Taming Tigers Group) in the late Nineties. His clients have included Apple, BT, Barclaycard and the NHS.
Miriam Margolyes is a celebrated British-Australian actress renowned for her exceptional versatility across stage, film, and television. With a career spanning over five decades, she has become a beloved figure for her dynamic performances, distinctive voice, and unapologetic wit. Margolyes won widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Mrs. Mingott in Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence (1993), earning a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress. She is perhaps best known internationally for her portrayal of Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films (2001–2011), a role that cemented her place in the hearts of millions.
Her career began in theatre, and she made her film debut in A Nice Girl Like Me (1969), before gaining significant roles in Yentl (1983), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Little Dorrit (1988), Immortal Beloved (1994), and Romeo + Juliet (1996). Margolyes’s voice work in animated films such as Babe (1995), James and the Giant Peach (1996), Mulan (1998), Happy Feet (2006), and Early Man (2018) also earned her critical acclaim.
On television, Margolyes has starred in an array of iconic series, from Blackadder (1983–1988) to Doctor Who (2023), with memorable roles in Call the Midwife (2018–2021) and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (2012–2015). She has been a prominent figure in documentaries, including Miriam’s Big American Adventure (2018), and her one-woman show, Dickens’ Women, which she performed from 1989 to 2012, showcased her extraordinary ability to inhabit multiple characters.
Margolyes’s stage career includes originating the role of Madame Morrible in Wicked (West End, 2006; Broadway, 2008), and her recent performances in The Lady in the Van (2019) and The Real Marigold Hotel (2016–2017) continue to highlight her unparalleled range and appeal.
A passionate political activist and writer, Margolyes has authored two memoirs, This Much is True (2021) and Oh Miriam! (2023), and remains a vocal advocate for human rights and social justice causes. In 2002, she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to drama. Margolyes’s career is a testament to her profound impact on the entertainment industry and her commitment to speaking her truth, both on and off the screen.
Nigel Havers is a celebrated English actor and presenter with a career spanning over five decades. He is best known for his roles in films such as Chariots of Fire (1981), A Passage to India (1984), and Empire of the Sun (1987), where his performances earned widespread acclaim. On television, he is widely recognised for playing Tom Latimer in the popular British sitcom Don’t Wait Up and Lewis Archer in Coronation Street, where he became a fan favourite from 2009 to 2019.
Havers’ acting career began in earnest in the 1970s, with roles in Upstairs, Downstairs and Crown Court. He soon gained recognition for his performances in BBC dramas Nicholas Nickleby (1977) and A Horseman Riding By (1978). His breakthrough came with his portrayal of Lord Andrew Lindsay in Chariots of Fire, which earned him a BAFTA nomination. Despite this success, Havers’ film career never fully took off, but he continued to thrive on television, securing roles in Don’t Wait Up, The Little Princess, and Sleepers.
In 2009, Havers joined Coronation Street as the charismatic Lewis Archer, a role he played with great success until 2019. His appearances in Downton Abbey and Benidorm further cemented his status as a versatile and beloved actor. In 2010, he participated in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, where he made headlines for his outspoken views on a controversial challenge.
Havers has also made contributions as a presenter, including narrating Help! We Bought a Hotel in 2024. Throughout his career, he has been a consistent figure on British television, balancing a variety of roles in both drama and comedy.
For all enquiries please contact laura@impressivepr.com
The last few years have been extremely busy for the America’s Got Talent winner, on both sides of the Atlantic. 2016 saw Zerdin head to The Las Vegas Strip for a headline residency at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. 2017 and 2018 saw Paul appear on spin-off shows America’s Got Talent – The Champions and Britain’s Got Talent – The Champions. Since then Paul has toured the US and UK with his critically acclaimed ‘All Mouth’ and ‘Puppet Party’ shows.
Zerdin is arguably the UK’s number one ventriloquist and made his TV debut in 1993 as the host of GMTV’s ‘Rise and Shine’. He then went on to win ITV’s The Big Big Talent Show, hosted by Jonathan Ross. Since then he has appeared on countless TV shows including The World Stands Up (Comedy Central), The Stand Up Show BBC!, Just for Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival, Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford (ITV1), Tonight at The London Palladium with Bruce Forsyth and Bradley Walsh (ITV1), Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show (BBC1) and three appearances at The Royal Variety Performance. Winning Series 10 of America’s Got Talent in September 2015, Zerdin and his sidekicks soon went viral on YouTube, receiving millions of views from around the world.
2021 and 2022 Paul toured his Paul Zerdin – Hands Free show which he filmed for Television for a 2023 release.
Paul is a Gold Star Member of The Inner Magic Circle and lives with his foam family in South West London.
Roxane Gay’s writing appears in Best American Mystery Stories 2014, Best American Short Stories 2012, Best Sex Writing 2012, A Public Space, McSweeney’s, Tin House, Oxford American, American Short Fiction, Virginia Quarterly Review, and many others. She is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. She is the author of the books Ayiti, An Untamed State, the New York Times bestselling Bad Feminist, the nationally bestselling Difficult Women and the New York Times bestselling Hunger. She is also the author of World of Wakanda for Marvel. She has several books forthcoming and is also at work on television and film projects. She also has a newsletter, The Audacity and once had a podcast, The Roxane Gay Agenda.
Sam Morrison is a Brooklyn based comedian and writer.
He just made his late night television debut on Late Night With Seth Meyers and his solo show Sugar Daddy is currently touring worldwide
He has also performed on The Drew Barrymore Show, appeared on Watch What Happens Live & Tamron Hall, and was staffed on the first season (64 episoides) of Blind Date, hosted by Nikki Glaser, currently airing on Bravo.
Brighton’s friendliest comedy club, set in the heart of the Lanes, has announced its stellar line up for the next few months. The award-winning Secret Comedy Club hosts some of the most nationally and internationally recognised performers, including acts featured on BBC, Netflix, and Comedy Central.
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical has been a rip-roaring success since the show started in 2008. It has had eleven sell-out years at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, two West End runs, an Olivier award and a BBC Radio 4 series.
In the show, the audience meets a writer of musicals who is on a deadline – he needs their help. The audience shouts out suggestions of a setting, musical styles and the title of the show and they’re off!
The Showstopper team – cast and band – will then weave a brand new musical in front of the very eyes of the audience, complete with hilarious characters, fabulous dance routines, beautiful songs, epic story lines, all sprinkled with the pzazz of a Broadway show.
Every night is a premiere and they quite literally couldn’t do the show without you, so why not pop down and help them create the next hit musical?
The Sugarcoated Sisters are an award-winning musical comedy duo and real-life siblings from Hertfordshire. Chloe is the blonde, Tabby is the brunette!
The Sugarcoated Sisters launched on TikTok in January 2020 and since then have gained over 600K online followers and over 100M views. Their content covers feminism, dating, UK culture and more packaged as original, well-produced musical sketches.
Tabby & Chloe entered the live comedy scene in Jan 2022, with a guitar and double and scathingly rude original songs. The won Best Newcomer at the Musical Comedy Awards 2022 and have been doing gigs and previews around the country before they performed their Edinburgh Fringe Debut with Sugarcoated Sisters: Bittersweet to massive acclaim in 2023
The 2 Johnnies are Ireland’s favourite musical comedy duo. From their humble beginnings publishing relatable Irish small town life sketches and self released music videos on facebook & youtube, the pair have gone on to produce Ireland’s no.1 podcast, “The 2 Johnnies Podcast”, release 10 no.1 Irish singles, bring live podcast shows to four continents around the world and produce three TV shows on Ireland’s state public service broadcaster RTE.
TV host and award-winning critically acclaimed comedian, Zoe took her first steps down the comedy path in 2003 after training as an actress at the Poor School in London. She went on to win the Funny Women Competition in 2004 and her debut Edinburgh show was nominated for the if.comedy newcomer award. In 2008 she won the Dave, Funniest Joke of The Fringe Award.
Zoe has appeared in many TV shows including Mock the Week, The Wright Stuff, Michael McIntyre Roadshow and many more and is often to be found on the radio and has appeared on many shows.
