Ellie Taylor

“I want to do everything, so when I started I wanted to be an actress, and I've always written funny things. I love that; it gives me a real sense of achievement and joy. I also love presenting. I'd never been interested in it before but found it pretty fun and easy, and I really enjoyed working with a group - standup is so lonely.”

“I have no maternal instincts.”

“I did a standup show called 'Show Me the Funny,' so from that I got some TV stuff and people would book me for gigs. I wasn't really good enough at that point, so had to catch up with expectations.”

“When I've been on shows as a guest, I'm backstage, so I don't usually hear what the warm-up is saying, so I went and watched a couple of people do it and thought, 'Actually, I reckon this is do-able.' The audience is usually excited to be there; it's just getting a good chat with people.”

“I've had some bad gigs, don't get me wrong.”

“I was a massive geek.”

“I want a dragon.”

“Lots of people do stand up shows with no narrative, but I love a beginning, a middle and an end.”

“I was working in a day job in marketing but I had my sights on doing an open-mic night.”

“I drink loads of water.”

“The high of a great set is better than anything.”

“I feel like everyone could do with starting wearing SPF at least a decade earlier than they do, just for ageing.”

“I always showed off when I was a kid.”

“I'm quite ungainly.”

“I remember I quite liked 'SingStar' for a while.”

“Hogwarts is comforting.”

“I'm definitely my worst critic. I guess that's good because it keeps you on your toes.”

“For many people, Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of year. But the festive period can also bring its own unique stresses and strains. But don't despair: there are solutions to many - if not all - of these issues.”

“I once hosted the Butcher Shop of the Year Awards. There's nothing like performing to the personification of the phrase a 'sausage fest' to hammer home how you've hit the big time.”

“Nothing gets a party started like some 110 per cent proof Ouzo from Kavos circa 2002.”