Lucy Porter studied English literature at the University of Manchester before working as a journalist on the Big Issue in the North. She began performing stand-up comedy while working as a researcher for Granada Television, on programmes including The Mrs Merton Show.

In 1996 she was a runner-up at the So You Think You're Funny competition at the Edinburgh Fringe.

She is a regular on BBC Radio 4 panel shows including The News Quiz and Just a Minute, and has appeared on television programmes including Have I Got News for You, Mock the Week and QI.

In 2009 she set a record score of 35 on Celebrity Mastermind, with Steve Martin as her specialist subject.

She is married to the comedian and actor Justin Edwards, with whom she has two children.