With Robert Peston

From her BBC2 show

More Sarah Millican videos

Writer and comic Sarah performed her first stand-up gig in September 2004, and the following year was runner-up in both the Funny Women and So You Think You're Funny awards, as well as the BBC New Comedy Awards in 2006.

She was nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2006 Chortle Awards and won the best newcomer if.comedy award at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe with her debut show, Sarah Millican's Not Nice. The same show was nominated for the Barry Award - the top prize at the Melbourne Comedy Festival - the following April.

In 2010, she became the first female to win the Best Headliner at the Chortle awards

Her first play Spent was staged at The Customs House in South Shields in September 2005.

Sarah Millican: Thoroughly Modern Millican
Live Review

The theme for Sarah Millican’s latest show is a gift for critics – it’s all about how she’s risk-averse.

Because her comedy is rarely, if ever, going to take a chance, being based so firmly in homely, comfortable domesticity. Equally, there’s no gamble in buying a ticket; you can be guaranteed a solid hour of charming anecdotes, easily identifiable situations, and the odd pun, all accompanied with a saucy self-deprecation. It’s that certainty that means in just four short years she’s become one of the biggest acts on the Fringe.

She splits the world into cautious dodgems and reckless bumper cars: ‘Live life to the full, that’s what it’s all about!’ she rallies, then undercuts with perfect timing. ‘No, it isn’t.’ She’s obviously a dodgem; she’s never taken drugs, preferring a Twix or a carvery, to Es and wizz, and a thrill for her is starting a new tea towel, not bungee jumping. ‘I had an apple the other day,’ she says with an air of adventure that reinforces the message – as well as her well-cultivated image as an exercise-shy cake-lover.

Such modest outlook is a snug fit for her warm Geordie tones, approachable manner and easy rapport with the audience. Maybe she reminds people of their Mam, but punters instantly find themselves comfortable in her confidence. When she asks for signs of falling in love, she gets such a delightfully romantic answer, ‘uncontrollable smiling’, it takes all her focus not to go off on a full-on conversation, ignoring the rest of the 750 people in the room.

That relaxed relationship between comic and performer is a two-way street, too. She feels completely at home sharing details of her life, from tender jokes with her boyfriend to … well, sexy times with her boyfriend that they can’t quite pull off, in that charmingly inept British way. That open honesty also extends to her love of sprouts: ‘I don’t mind telling you, I’m absolutely toxic,’ she says of her Christmas night flatulence. Thanks for sharing.

Her settled relationship with an obvious kindred spirit might make her more settled and cosy, although she does say that at the age of 36, she’s finally getting more confident, and feeling more womanly. Whether that will make her comedy more or less adventurous remains to be seen.

But this adept offering is perfect for the dodgems; a trusted and proven hour sure to generate if not ‘uncontrollable’ smiles, but plenty of grins and the odd hearty chuckle. Leave the bumper cars to fling themselves to the more obscure corners of the Fringe, and the very real possibility of disappointment you will never get with Millican.

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I've seen Sarah a few times on TV now, & she's never failed to be anything less than entertaining. Even had me chocking on my coffee with a one-liner on the Apollo last night! ;-) Hopefully I'll have a job again soon, & therefore the money to pay to see a full live show.

JSE, December 2009

Saw her at Llangollen, at the Kill For a Seat club. I wasn't sure that she was going to be very good - TV doesn't show her off. She was brilliant, one of the best comedians I have seen. So good she was called back for an encore. I'd see her again in a heartbeat a very funny, very dirty young woman. Excellent!

Sam from Wrexham, December 2009

Just don't see what makes her funny,honestly did not laugh once watching her at the Apollo. She's boring

santos, November 2009

I saw Sarah in Birmingham last Thursday and she was fantastic. Was on stage for over an hour and had the audience hanging on her every word all the way through, even tried out some new stuff which was really good. Also had some nice put downs for one chap who became a little excited.

Lee Grant, November 2009

I saw Sarah doing the Manchester Michael MacIntyre thing, and I thought she was very, very good. Sweet and dark, she did brilliantly and myself and my partner enjoyed her work!

FH, August 2009

Not very good. Not funny. In fact dreary. When are women comedians going to shut up about boyfriend/ex husbands, cake and getting fat? BORING

J. Strang, July 2009

Just saw Sarah's Edinburgh preview and after reading brilliant reviews of her previous Edinburgh Show, I had high hopes of a good night. However, the show felt unstructured and the material was far from cutting edge with rather stereotypical punchlines i.e. All truck drivers are prostitute murderers. I understand fully that this show was a preview but still feel that Sarah is going to have to put alot more work into the show if it its to gain as much success as last years.

Craig Ratcliffe, June 2009

Saw Sarah a couple of years ago in Sheffield, only decided to write a comment now to encourage people to go see her. She was the least experienced and funniest comic of the night. Changed my idiot opinion that women comedians are rubbish.

Paddy Rogers, February 2009

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