Sophie Willan

Sophie Willan was born on 21 October 1987, grew up in Bolton, and spent time in care as a child, as her mother was a heroin addict. She later worked as an escort to fund her arts career. == Theatre and stand-up comedy ==

Willan began her arts career in theatre, founding feminist theatre and cabaret group Eggs Collective. In 2016 she took her debut stand-up series On Record, based on her experiences of growing up in and out of the care system, to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. A nationwide tour followed in 2017, including 10 dates at London's Soho Theatre and a commission to adapt the show into a BBC Radio 4 series, with a second series being approved. Her second show, Branded, was an exploration of the labels applied to Willan by other people. == Television ==

Willan is the narrator of Channel 4’s The Circle and joined the cast of Still Open All Hours (BBC One) and Click & Collect (BBC One). She portrayed Carol in Series 4 of sketch show Class Dismissed (CBBC) and has performed comedy on Live from The Comedy Store In September 2025, Willan was announced as a guest judge on the seventh series of ''RuPaul's Drag Race UK. She took over as host of The Great British Sewing Bee'' from Sara Pascoe, starting with the Christmas Celebrity Special in December 2025. In February 2026, Willan portrayed Bev in the BBC Two sitcom Small Prophets. == Personal life ==

On 18 May 2025, Willan announced via Instagram that she and partner, chef Carniel Francis Levy, were expecting their first child in November 2025. Their son was born on 30 November. == Awards ==

Willan won a BAFTA Television Craft Award for Best Writer: Comedy for the pilot of ''Alma's Not Normal''. At the 2022 British Academy Television Awards, Willan was awarded the Best Female Comedy Performance for her performance in the series, which was nominated for Best Scripted Comedy. In 2022, Willan received an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton for her contribution to television and comedy. == Care work ==

In 2015, Willan secured funding of over £100,000 to create the multi-platform literary project Stories of Care, creating and curating short stories written by fellow care leavers. The project recruited care leavers across North West England to take part in the creation of a published children's anthology for looked-after children. ==References==