THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS: Jenny Eclair
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Blonde, brassy Jenny Eclair, winner of the Perrier Comedy Award 1995, is back on our screens on 2 May with Jenny Eclair's Slot, Channel 5.
I have always had a need for attention but didn't plan to be a comic. As a five-year-old in Berlin in 1965, I didn't know that funny women existed. It wasn't until I got back to England that I realised women could be funny. That's where the tyrannical Eclair comes from: women like Lucille Ball, real ball-biters with lots of badly applied orange lipstick.
Winning the Perrier Award was not a lucky break because I slogged myself to death to get it. I wanted it so badly that I remember sobbing whenever I didn't get nominated. Then I got lucky. But it had become embarrassing by 1995 because no woman had ever won it, so they had to pick me.
What's kept me going is the hide of a rhinoceros and the fact I can't type - you know, vaguely unemployable. I don't think I'm successful. I'm half way there which is a bit infuriating when you're 39. But I hope to be working when I'm 70. I'm a bit of an old bat to be on television, but I've done my apprenticeship and carved a niche for myself.
It's out of sheer bloody mindedness and spite that I didn't give up when people told me to. I wanted to show them. I admire the Elsie Tanners and Barbara Windsors of the world: people who have crawled back from the abyss. I'm quite camp in that respect.
LUCY WILLIAMS
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments