Sandi Toksvig has a brush with death to thank for her passion for life.
“When I was 21, I was seriously ill. It was touch and go for a while. I’m not a religious person, but that whole experience changed everything for me,” she says.
“I’m determined to be cheerful, determined to seek out all the interesting stuff the world’s got to offer.”
Her new show is called My Valentine. “It’s my valentine to life,” she says. “I feel we should all just get out there and enjoy it. Spike Milligan once said jokes should be available on the NHS, there’s something in that. My intention is that people will come and see the show, have a laugh and hopefully leave feeling a little better than when they arrived.”
The comedian, broadcaster and writer is on tour celebrating her new novel, Valentine Grey. The long-standing host of Radio Four's News Quiz and Excess Baggage and a regular on panel shows like QI, Sandi is blending stand-up with stories and “fascinating facts”.
Born in Copenhagen, she began her comedy career at Cambridge University, where she wrote and performed in the first all-female Footlights show. She performed at the first night of The Comedy Store in London and was part of the Comedy Store Players.
Her playwriting credits include Bully Boy, about post-traumatic stress among British servicemen which opens in the West End this autumn, and a musical, Big Night Out.
Sandi Toksvig is at St George’s Hall on Saturday, November 2. For tickets ring (01274) 432000.