Sara Pascoe, comedian and writer

Comedian and writer Sarah Pascoe joins Desert Island Discs to reflect on her unconventional upbringing, creative journey, and the emotional core of her work. Born in Dagenham and raised by a young single mother, Pascoe recounts a feral teenage past marked by clubbing, hitchhiking, and elaborate lies to fit in, all while nurturing a deep-seated need to be seen. Her path from aspiring actor to stand-up pioneer began in a moment of vulnerability—performing a poorly rehearsed audition for a talent show—yet it sparked a lifelong compulsion to perform, driven by the neurochemical rush of overcoming fear. She discusses the transformative power of audience connection, the silence of writing, and her evolving relationship with her father, a saxophonist whose improvised jazz album inspired a new show. Pascoe also opens up about motherhood, IVF, and the delicate balance between personal privacy and artistic honesty, revealing how sharing deeply personal stories—like her abortion and infertility—has become a form of connection and healing. Her desert island choices reflect a spectrum of emotional resonance: from the euphoric energy of Prince’s 'Get Off' to the intimate love letter of 50 Cent’s 'Best Friend', and the profound comfort of her father’s jazz album, Telemachus.