'I entered event to see where I was at, and I won'

Comedian Maisie Adam has reflected on following in the footsteps of her comedy heroes by winning a competition that helped launch her career.

Since breaking into stand-up a decade ago, Adam has become a regular on some of Britain's best-known comedy television programmes.

Adam, who lives in Brighton, East Sussex, is to perform at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, Kent, and the Brighton Comedy Festival this year with her new show, Whatsherface.

She said that she had always had an interest in comedy and was urged to take part in the 2017 edition of So You Think You're Funny, a competition she went on to win.

Adam said: "I looked up who'd won it and it was just a list of all my favourite comedians ever. It was Peter Kay, Tom Allen.

"So, I entered that just to see where I was at, and I won it."

Adam has appeared on several television shows, including Celebrity Mastermind, which she said was her "granny's dream".

"I've never heard her so excited," she said. "She just had so many questions about Clive Myrie.

"You have certain shows in your mind maybe that when the call comes through, you're like: 'Oh God. That's a dream'."

Adam said that one of the proudest moments of her career was being an act in Live at the Apollo.

"I don't think there's many other feelings that you get as when they announce your name and that big iconic sign lifts and you've got to walk through the smoke," she said.

"You can't see when that sign is clear by the way, and especially if you're tall like me.

"You're hoping it's cleared by the time you emerge and the first thing that people don't see of you at Live at the Apollo is you whacking your head on the bottom of the word 'Apollo'."

Outside of her comedy career, Adam is a big football fan and plays for local club Brighton Seagals.

"I love the sport," she said.

"Brighton & Albion Women's reaching the FA Cup final, as well as new plans for the stadium, is just incredible."

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