My debut feature film screenplay – the original romantic comedy Fado! – was optioned by Golden Globe-winning producer Gareth Wiley, with Oscar-nominated actors Emily Watson and Richard E Grant later being attached to star. Fado! has been covered by Deadline, Screen International and Variety and featured in The Hollywood Reporter’s Cannes Hot List .
I have since been hired to write more feature scripts – including a road trip movie, another romantic comedy, and a sports underdog film based on true events. I’ve also written another spec script – an 80s jukebox movie musical – and most recently wrote my first TV drama pilot spec, set in the world of therapy.
I have also written jokes, sketches and parody songs for topical comedy shows on stage, TV and radio – including The News Quiz (BBC Radio 4), Never Mind The Buzzcocks (BBC2) and NewsRevue (Canal Café Theatre, London and Edinburgh Fringe Festival). I’ve been a regular joke-writer for Have I Got News For You‘s social media accounts, and was the lead writer on acclaimed comedy politics podcast Strong & Stable – which made both The Guardian and The Independent‘s lists of The Best Podcasts Of The Year. I was also Comedy Editor of The Huffington Post UK for three years.
In 2022 I was selected for BAFTA Connect membership – an initiative to suport future creative leaders in film and TV – and for the Filmmakers25 mentoring scheme for emerging filmmakers in the Bradford area. I’m also a member of Women In Film & TV UK.
My agent is Christina Pickworth at Imagine Talent. You can download my CV via the Screen Skills website here.
SPEAKING, MENTORING & MORE
I’ve spoken about writing, comedy and creativity on panels at various events including the London Screenwriters’ Festival, London Comedy Writers’ Festival, Craft Of Comedy Writing Conference and for the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. I’ve reviewed the papers on Radio 4’s Broadcasting House and talked about funny women on BBC Radio Scotland’s Comedy Cafe.
I was part of the development team for Creative England & BFI’s short film competition iShorts+ Funny Girls; and I have twice been a judge for the Funny Women Awards.
For three years as a Westminster City Labour Councillor, I was the Shadow Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture & Leisure: regularly speaking about the arts and advocating for more funding and better access to culture for local communities.
Since moving to Yorkshire, I’ve guest lectured at the University of Leeds and taken part in its ‘Creative Life Stories’ program – supporting students from underrepresented groups wanting to pursue careers in the cultural & creative sectors.
I’m passionate about encouraging and supporting others in their creative goals and dreams. I mentor beginner and emerging screenwriters, and host a fortnightly ‘Write-In’ in Ilkley, where anyone can come to write in friendly company – read more about it here. Please do come along if you’re local/like cake/both!
