In the autumn of 1988, Sue Perkins, a student at New College, Cambridge University, got onto a stage for her first ever stand up routine. She was interrupted by a girl called Mel Giedroyc, marking the the start of a double act that would last 17 years.

Sue became president of the Cambridge Footlights in 1990, taking over from Henry Naylor, and in 1993 was shortlisted (with Mel) for the Daily Express Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Festival.

After a few years writing for French & Saunders they hosted a lunchtime show on Channel 4 called Light Lunch, and an teatime version, Late Lunch, as well as breakfast show RI:SE

On her own, Perkins appeared in Celebrity Big Brother in 2002 on Have I Got News For You, Room 101, Celebrity Weakest Link, Question Time and Newsnight on TV; and The News Quiz and Just A Minute on Radio 4. She also chaired the Radio 4 panel game 99p Challenge.

In 2005, she premiered her first one woman show at the Edinburgh Fringe, which then toured the county.