Magazine

Where Are They Now - Zoe Lyons

Zoe Lyons was Funny Women’s second ever winner. Now a regular face on TV, Zoe has appeared on everything from Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshowto a celebrity special of University Challenge.

How did it feel to be crowned by Funny Women in 2004?

I hadn’t won anything since I was five when I won a skate board which I later fell off of and broke my arm! It is a nice boost for the confidence to win something, and to win something and not break a limb in the process. When you are starting out in comedy it is a good feeling to get confirmation that you are OK at it.

How has your comedy career changed since winning the award?

A lot has changed in past few years for me. I wasn’t getting regular gigs at the point when I did the competition. Just lots of really odd open mic gigs, sometimes doing gigs to an audience of two punters and ten other comics.

What joke or moment set you apart from the other finalists when you won?

I was just feeling particularly confident on the day and I am quite an animated act on stage and people do seem to like that.

Who do you think is the ultimate funny woman?

At the moment it is Tina Fey.

Out of all the previous Funny Women winners, who is the funniest?

I haven’t seen all the acts so I can’t make a totally biased-free decision on that. Also I know some of the acts so if I don’t choose them they might get all huffy with me and we don’t want that either. Hey - at the end of the day, we are all winners are we not?

What does 2012 hold in store for you?

Gigs. Lots of them. Some in this country, some abroad and a few bits and bobs of telly stuff. And the Olympics of course - really gotta knuckle down and get some training in now.

The Funny Women Awards are ten years old this year. What you were doing ten years ago?

I was thinking about having a go at stand up for the first time and making money by working as an actor for corporate training companies and bits of waitressing. I was the worst waitress in London, something I am quite proud of.

Check out Zoe’s gig list to see where she’ll be performing next.

Mary Doyle