Sophie Willan

Sophie Willan is an accomplished British stand-up comedian, actress, and writer, born in Bolton in 1987. Her early life was marked by considerable challenges, having been raised by a mother struggling with heroin addiction and spending part of her childhood in care. Willan's experiences led her to work as an escort, a theme that she explores in her acclaimed one-woman stand-up show, *Branded*.

In recognition of her talent, she was honored with the inaugural Caroline Aherne Bursary from the BBC for the 2017-2018 period. Willan's stand-up career has garnered her multiple accolades, including the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Awards' Best Newcomer in 2017. In addition to her stand-up work, she serves as the narrator for Channel 4's reality game show *The Circle* and appears regularly in the BBC sitcom *Still Open All Hours*. She also featured in the holiday comedy special *Click and Collect*, alongside notable names like Stephen Merchant and Asim Chaudhry.

In 2021, Willan's semi-autobiographical sitcom, *Alma's Not Normal*, premiered on BBC2, receiving both critical and commercial acclaim, ultimately earning a BAFTA award. A second and likely concluding series of the show is set to air in 2024, solidifying her status as a prominent voice in British comedy.