Sophie Willan Reveals Hilarious Mishap in Blue Peter Garden and Wild Past in Candid Confessions
Comedian and actress Sophie Willan, 37, recently shared a humorous story on Never Mind The Buzzcocks about a memorable and unconventional escapade outside the BBC studios at Media City in Salford, Manchester. When asked about the strangest place she had ever had sex, Sophie confessed, “The Blue Peter garden. It was a full moon, I’d drunk a lot of Guinness. There was a big shrub we thought would be a good spot.” But the fun didn’t last long, as security guards on scooters interrupted, informing her, “We can all see you in the studios on CCTV.” Laughing about the experience, she joked, “I never even got a badge”, according to the Mirror.
Willan also told the audience that one of the naughtiest things she’s ever done was robbing a Greggs delivery van. “We were pretty drunk and really hungry. A man was unloading the van, so we took one box for each,” she admitted, adding another laugh-out-loud moment to the show, reported by the Daily Mail.
Originally from Bolton, Sophie rose to fame with her BAFTA-winning sitcom Alma’s Not Normal, a BBC Two series that blends humor and heart, drawing from her own life experiences. The show was both critically acclaimed and adored by audiences, and a much-anticipated second season is on the way. Sophie currently stars in the Sky Max detective dramedy Ludwig, where she plays the mysterious Holly Pinder alongside David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin. Dubbed the “new Jonathan Creek,” Ludwig showcases Sophie’s versatility as an actress.
Sophie has always been open about her unconventional path to success. In a past appearance on Unforgiveable, she revealed that she worked as an escort to support herself while building her career. She humorously recalled her time as a “fabulous” escort, but confessed that it left her exhausted. “I said to my madam, ‘Look, I’m knackered,’” she shared, but her workload didn’t lessen, ultimately leading to her being sacked.
Afterward, Sophie recounted another wild story: she “borrowed” money meant for her former employer, hidden in a washing machine, and used it to fund a trip to Wales, where she performed her own play, The Gnome Bandit, all while dressed as a garden gnome.
Having grown up in foster care, Sophie has channeled her experiences into supporting others and bringing her unique humor and warmth to her work. From the Blue Peter garden mishap to her rise as a celebrated comedian and actress, Sophie Willan’s story is as unconventional as it is inspiring.