16: Jan Ravens: Schizophrenia, Celebrity Mastermind & Finding Her Voice

Impressions, insecurity, and the struggle for control.Jan Ravens, one of the brilliant key voices behind BBC Radio 4’s Dead Ringers and a Spitting Image veteran, didn’t have the easiest start. Growing up in a household dominated by Liverpool FC and her father’s schizophrenia, she often felt powerless—until she discovered something that gave her control: comedy.She talks about impersonating teachers for laughs, dropping weight (and suddenly being the most popular girl at the disco), and why Thora Hird’s unwavering certainty became an unexpected source of comfort. She reflects on awkward and poignant moments with her father, her mother’s anger, and the lasting impact of living in a house where mental illness loomed large.But Jan didn’t just survive—she excelled. Inspired by local legend Glenda Jackson, she made it to Cambridge University , Footlghts, the RSC, Spitting Image, and beyond. From winning Celebrity Mastermind to dancing on Strictly, she’s built a career on fearlessly stepping up—even when she doubted herself.A funny, fierce, and deeply honest conversation about fear, resilience, how comedy became her lifeline.