The comedian and broadcaster described her book Born Lippy: How to do Female as 'a spoof advice guide for teenage girls' – she has two of her own, aged 16 and 18 – though it consists mainly of, "I did this; can you not do that". She wasn't convinced that her own girls would follow her advice but offered some tactics for other parents. "If you're worried that your kids are watching porn online, say, 'We are all going to sit down and watch it as a family'."
She said that a lot had changed since she was a teenager, that girls and young women had more permission to be angry today – "but not very angry and not for very long". She warned against the men who knock women's confidence, but also about the women who are "the enemy within".
Asked by Stephanie Merritt how her experience as a psychiatric nurse, and her father's mental illness, had shaped her career, she said that what comedians often have in common is "family disturbance". Similarly, most people who work in mental health have had experience in their own family or circle of friends. Her father was often threatening, with hair-trigger anger, but she was grateful that he gave her permission to write about his depression.
"He certainly didn't boost my confidence as a girl." However, she said that if you act confident, it will seep into your bones. You don't have to be arrogant, you just have to say to yourself, "I know I can do this and I'm not going to let anyone put me down."
She cited the late Victoria Wood as one of her role models in comedy, together with Beryl Reid.
Picture by Marsha Arnold
If you enjoyed this, you might like Sara Pascoe, Event 76 tomorrow.
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