Lucy Beaumont 'angry' after Jon Richardson split as she issues 5-word statement

Lucy Beaumont has enjoyed a successful career in comedy with her ex Jon Richardson, but the pair announced their split earlier this year after 11 years of marriage

Describing herself as a "small, feral woman", Lucy Beaumont may be playful with her words, yet her sharp northern humour and fearless comedic approach have won the hearts of many. The Hull-born sensation spent years making audiences laugh alongside her former other half Jon Richardson in the hit Dave series Meet the Richardsons which she also co-wrote, as well as hosting 'Jon and Lucy's Odd Couples' on Channel 4.

Now, Lucy has bid farewell to her long-standing comedy partnership both on stage and off, and with new ventures including a podcast with a past Taskmaster contestant and her own stand-up tour 'Lucy Beaumont Live', the comedian is moving full steam ahead. And, having just turned 41, one might wonder if life feels any different for her now, asked OK!

She states, apparently simply: "I don't feel any different really." But then adds: "Just a bit angrier and not willing to take any s**t from anyone."

While Lucy isn't exactly the new kid on the block, her visibility has skyrocketed in the 12 years since BBC New Comedy Award win. But it was her role in the Bafta-nominated Meet the Richardsons that raised her profile significantly. Despite her success on the small screen, it's evident that her true passion is stand-up comedy.

"Live shows are unbeatable, there's nothing like it because it's so immediate. And each show is totally different. You can sort of get the same reaction because they're well bedded-in shows, but each audience has a different personality it's mad, and really fascinating. You can say something off hand and it can be the best gag of the show you just don't get that with TV! ".

Lucy, who proudly hails from Hull, was raised by her playwright mother, Gill Adams, who bagged an Edinburgh Fringe Festival award in 1997 for best new play. Lucy studied drama at the University of Hull while working as a teaching assistant. Post-graduation, she found it challenging to secure consistent acting gigs and ended up cleaning at her former university.

The mum of one believes these experiences, coupled with witnessing her mum's hard work and triumphs, have shaped her into the comedian she is today. "It never feels that bad because you sort of do it in fits and starts," she says. "Once you've done teaching and 40-hour weeks, you just feel so grateful. It feels like a real honour doing this sort of job. You're just trying to make people laugh."

Last year saw Lucy up for a Bafta (in the Best Female Performance in a Comedy Programme category) for her role in Meet the Richardsons, challenging heavyweights such as Daisy May Cooper, Diane Morgan, and the award-winning Siobhan McSweeney from Derry Girls. Despite the lauds, she candidly admits there are challenges as a woman in what is traditionally viewed as a male-dominated field.

"I grew up seeing things very differently. It was only when I got into comedy clubs that people were telling me 'women aren't funny', and I couldn't understand it because I knew that my mum was the funniest person I knew.

"If people don't call it out, it could easily slip back because it's an unconscious bias. The sexism in everything is still there, exactly as it was years ago, but every now and then people feel confident enough to say stuff like that. It's still a man's industry and there's still this bias that actually comedy is a man's thing, and it can't be further from the truth."

Lucy's stand-up tour this year was so successful in its first run that it's been extended through to December. It includes a gig at the London Palladium on 4 October, which will be her biggest performance to date and a "real pinch-me moment", she says.

"When it comes to what's funny, sometimes you don't know until you test it out on an audience. That's scary and really exciting. My thing is, 'What can make the audience laugh the most in 90 minutes? ' and I pick and choose based on that. There's a fine line between oversharing personal things and sharing enough so people feel it's authentic. And the learning is working out where that boundary is."

However, one topic that remains off-limits is her recent split from husband Jon, which they announced in April. When asked about her current feelings, Lucy politely declines to elaborate.

"People might think I should talk about it because we were so public and everyone knew us as a couple, but I won't, and not because there's any animosity," she explains. "We both agreed that while it might be weird for other people not hearing anything about it, we wouldn't talk about anything to do with the marriage or each other."

In contrast, Lucy's fearless approach to comedy earned her praise on Channel 4's Taskmaster, where she appeared alongside Sam Campbell, Sue Perkins, Julian Clary, and Susan Wokoma. Her performance on the show, which combines elements of a game show and a lighthearted competition, led to her being dubbed "simultaneously the worst and best contestant ever" on Reddit. "That sums me up nicely! " she laughs. "I was just being myself really."

However, having completed the mockumentary-style show Meet the Richardsons, would she be open to participating in more reality TV shows like Strictly Come Dancing or I'm A Celeb? "No, no, no, never ever," she says firmly. "I find something a bit apocalyptic about them! I'm a bit over reality TV."

"My goal is to create a sitcom, and I hope to perform in theatre, which is where I started before comedy. Although I didn't make much money from it, the experiences you have while pursuing your goals shape who you are, and for me, that was teaching. I'm sure I'll go back to that someday too."

Lucy Beaumont Live is touring the UK from 4 October to 13 December. For ticket details, visit lucybeaumont.co.uk