I've set myself a very high bar

Comedian Jessica Fostekew chats to MARION MCMULLEN about Gladiators, podcasts and life as a soccer mum

- MARION MCMULLEN

You have appeared on TV on shows such as QI, Celebrity University Challenge, Live At the Apollo and Travel Man as well as podcasts like The Guilty Feminist and The Hoovering Podcast.

Was your family surprised when you went into comedy?

(Laughs) I don't think they were surprised. I think a better word would be disappointed.

My dad is really funny and funniness is really a big, important currency in my family, especially my dad's side of the family. But also humility is a really big thing and that's an important value for me.

Having a job as a comedian you also have to be quite confident and that side of things is I think a bit jarring for my dad. He's not proud of any of his kids for anything.

He will be a bit proud, but he will also be a bit embarrassed. I think my mum is just roundly proud. As long as my heart is in the right place, she is happy for me. My mum can't think of anything worse than a job that involves public speaking and being in the public eye.

I remember one time saying to her, 'I've got a gig at the Royal Albert Hall,' and she said, 'I'm so sorry'. She would hate to have to do that but I would rather stand up in front of 1,000 people than abseil off even a 10ft drop. I'm so scared of heights.

Did you enjoy doing the Gladiators podcast?

I love that. I made the podcast Contenders Ready when the last series was on. I made it with a friend, who is like the best Olympic weightlifter in the country, Emily Campbell.