Stand-up comedian Lou Sanders’ unique brand of silliness has seen her soar to new heights, landing her a place on Dancing On Ice and a role on Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable. But as she prepares for her latest stand-up tour, she also remembers darker times in her life – her battle with alcoholism and how finding sobriety saved her career.
“The last was a snowboarding trip and I was with loads of people that love a drink, yet I was the biggest problem. I got so drunk and started heckling the other acts – the worst thing you could do ever.” Since writing about her struggles with alcoholism, other women have reached out with similar stories. “It’s helped them try to forgive themselves – it’s been really, really nice. I wanted it to be a book you might give your goddaughter to not make the same mistakes as I have.”
Thankfully, the comedy scene is improving when it comes to safety for female comics. Lou says, “In terms of representation in comedy, we haven’t really made much progress, but with sex offenders I think we have. People take it more seriously. If men hear something dodgy about a man, they won’t be in a hurry to book him.
“She just got rid of the emotions . I know it sounds mad that a white witch fixed my knees,” she says. “But we know so much now with the body keeping score. Even doctors will admit that a lot of illnesses can be traced back to some sort of stress. “You’ve got to rely on your instincts, though. I did have one healer who went a bit mad because she saw a ghost, so it’s not cut and dry.”