Josie Brand
Born 1957 · Age 68
English comedian, actress, writer and presenter; former psychiatric nurse who moved into alternative comedy, long-serving TV and radio panellist, author and charity campaigner.
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Life & Career Timeline
Begins psychiatric nursing career (approx.)
Began career in patient care as a psychiatric nurse; served for over a decade before moving into comedy (text states she served for over a decade; exact start year not given — approximate).
Early performances on alternative comedy circuit (approx.)
Started performing on the alternative comedy stand-up scene (text mentions early performances on Saturday Live and alternative comedy; exact first gigs/dates not specified).
Practising as a psychiatric nurse (ongoing)
Continued work as a psychiatric nurse (text: served for over a decade prior to comedy). Year provided as an intermediate marker of nursing career.
Transitions from nursing to comedy (approx.)
Left psychiatric nursing to pursue alternative comedy; text states she moved from psychiatric nursing into the alternative comedy stand-up scene in the 1980s (year approximate).
First TV appearances on live comedy shows (Saturday/Friday Live) (conflicting sources)
Sources variously list earliest TV appearances on Saturday Live and Friday Night Live. Exact date unclear; listed as early TV break on live sketch/stand-up shows.
Perrier Award nomination at Edinburgh Fringe
Nominated for the prestigious Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (text cites nomination in 1992).
Jo Brand Through the Cakehole premieres
Starred in her Channel 4 series 'Jo Brand Through the Cakehole' (series ran 1993–1996).
Published 'A Load of Old Balls: Men in History'
Published comedy/history book 'A Load of Old Balls: Men in History'.
Published 'A Load of Old Ball Crunchers: Women in History'
Published follow-up comedy history book 'A Load of Old Ball Crunchers: Women in History'.
Starred in 'All the Way to Worcester'
Featured in Channel 4 show 'All the Way to Worcester' (text lists show with 1996).
Jo Brand's Commercial Breakdown (TV)
Presented 'Jo Brand's Commercial Breakdown' (listed among her TV presenting credits; exact year from source listing).
Stand-up special 'Live Again' released
Stand-up special 'Live Again' made available for home viewing (VHS/DVD/CD conversions mentioned).
Presented 'Jo Brand's Hot Potatoes'
Presented the TV show 'Jo Brand's Hot Potatoes' (credited in lists of her TV work).
Listed by The Observer among 50 funniest acts in British comedy
In 2003 The Observer named Jo Brand as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy.
Stand-up special 'Barely Live' released
Stand-up special 'Barely Live' released / made available for home viewing.
Published novel 'Sorting Out Billy'
Released the novel 'Sorting Out Billy'.
Published 'It's Different for Girls'
Published the novel 'It's Different for Girls'.
Stand-up special 'Jo Brand Live' released
Stand-up special 'Jo Brand Live' released for home viewing.
Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Lifetime Achievement Award
Received a lifetime achievement award from the Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing for contributions to nursing and mental health awareness.
Received honorary doctorate from University of Glamorgan
Awarded an honorary doctorate for her work as a psychiatric nurse from the University of Glamorgan (later University of South Wales).
Stand-up special 'A Load of Old Balls' released
Released the stand-up special 'A Load of Old Balls' (available on home formats).
Published 'The More You Ignore Me' and 'Look Back in Hunger'
Published the novel 'The More You Ignore Me' and memoir 'Look Back in Hunger' (autobiography).
Co-creator/co-writer/co-star on 'Getting On' (TV)
Co-created, co-wrote and co-starred in the television sitcom 'Getting On', a role that lasted for over three years (show began airing in 2009).
Appeared in Comic Relief specials (2003–2009 appearances noted)
Featured in charity TV specials: first celebrity 'Comic Relief Does Fame Academy' (2003); later 'Comic Relief Does the Apprentice' (2007) and 'Let’s Dance for Comic Relief' (2009).
Published autobiography 'Can't Stand Up For Sitting Down'
Released 'Can't Stand Up For Sitting Down', the second part of her autobiography series.
Won BAFTA for Best Female Performance in a Comedy Role
Awarded a BAFTA for Best Female Performance in a Comedy Role (text cites BAFTA win in 2011).
Appeared in The Great Comic Relief Bake Off
Participated in The Great Comic Relief Bake Off (charity special).
Became presenter of The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice
Started presenting the companion show 'The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice' (role ongoing since 2014).
Awarded honorary doctorate from Canterbury Christ Church University
Received an honorary doctorate for work raising mental health awareness and her nursing background.
140-mile charity walk raising over £1.2 million
Walked 140 miles across northern England for charity, raising over £1.2 million.
Appeared in TV series 'Damned'
Appeared in the TV comedy series 'Damned' (series credit listed in sources).
Presented 'Jo Brand's Cats & Kittens' (Kitten Rescue in US)
Presented Channel 5's 'Jo Brand's Cats & Kittens', later streamed in the US as 'Kitten Rescue' (series credited 2017–2021 in sources).
Published 'Born Lippy: How To Do Female'
Published 'Born Lippy', a non-fiction/guide book (listed as 2018 publication).
National Film Award for Best Comedy (credited)
Listed as having a National Film Award for Best Comedy in 2019 (source mentions award in her list of recognitions).
Appeared on 'Taskmaster' (guest appearance)
Appeared on the TV panel/game show 'Taskmaster' (credited appearance in 2019).
Longstanding regular panellist roles (QI, Have I Got News for You, Would I Lie to You?) (ongoing)
By 2020 Jo Brand remained a regular guest/panellist on shows such as QI (2003–2021 listed), Have I Got News for You, and Would I Lie to You? (regular from 2009 onward).
End of 'Jo Brand's Cats & Kittens' run (series credited 2017–2021)
Channel 5 series 'Jo Brand's Cats & Kittens' listed in sources as running until 2021.
Multiple career awards aggregated
By the mid-2020s Jo Brand is credited with multiple awards: four British Comedy Awards, one BAFTA, two Writers' Guild awards, RTS wins and other nominations (sources list cumulative awards; specific years not all provided).
Recognised speaker and corporate/presentation work (profile snapshot)
Listed as a keynote/after‑dinner speaker on speaker websites; areas include comedy, mental health, feminism, writing and wellbeing. Speaker listings compile career achievements up to 2025.
Charity patronage and ambassadorships (ongoing)
By 2025 she is an ambassador/patron/supporter for many charities: Alzheimer’s Society, ActionAid, London Nightline, Prader-Willi Syndrome Association, International Animal Rescue, National Self-Harm Network, Ectopic Pregnancy Trust (chair) and others.
Key Achievement Ages
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