Who is Dancing On Ice’s Lou Sanders? Meet the outspoken comic who weighed in on Russell Brand’s sexual assault allegations

Lou Sanders was revealed as the eighth contestant to star in Dancing On Ice in 2024.

The comedian was unveiled during an appearance on Nihal Arthanayake's show on BBC Radio Five Live in October 2023.

Around that time, she also made headlines for her contribution to the discussion surrounding Russell Brand, who had become the subject of a police investigation after allegations were published by five women, four anonymous, accusing him of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse. Brand denied the allegations.

Lou has admitted she is 'nervous' about taking part in the ITV show – read more about her career and what she said below.

The comedian (seen in 2019) won the Comedians' Choice Award for Best Show at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Who is Lou Sanders?

Lou Sanders is known on the comedy circuit for her stand-up work, writing and TV appearances.

The exact age of the comedian is unknown. The birth date of 1985 was previously removed from Wikipedia as it was wrong, but it is believed she was born around that time.

Her book – What is that lady doing? – talks about how she was treated as a child and describes how she was insulted and lied to as a child by her late stepfather with limited support from one of her biological parents.

She left her family home in Broadstairs, Kent, at the age of 15 after starting drinking two years earlier.

Her comedic breakthrough didn't come quickly, but her unique background made it happen.

After occasional TV appearances in the few years prior, her show Shame Pig jointly won the Comedians' Choice Award for Best Show at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The show recounted some of her “embarrassing” drunken encounters, having written it a year earlier following her decision to get sober.

Lou is perhaps best known for her work in comedy television shows such as Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

In 2019 she won the eighth series of Taskmaster – then on Dave, now continuing on Channel 4 – returned to share third in the second Champion Of Champions edition in 2022.

The comedy star is also an accomplished writer and actress, as well as the host of her Cuddle Club podcast.

Lou has appeared in Aisling Bea's sitcom This Way Up and Karl Pilkington's Sick of It, while she is credited as a writer on some of 8 Out Of 10 Cats episodes.

Lou is perhaps best known for her work in comedy television shows such as Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown

What did she say about Russell Brand?

Lou deleted her

She remained tight-lipped about possible first-hand experiences, she said The guard: 'It amazes me that people still don't want to believe women.'

Her memoir details the widespread environment of abuse in her industry and claims to have been told about people's experiences with Brand in the past.

During a stand-up show in the spring of 2023, before the allegations emerged, Lou said she “basically called out Russell Brand, but in a funny way,” adding that “everyone in the know is' ​​of its behavior in the industry.

What did Lou Sanders say about Dancing On Ice?

When she was unveiled on BBC Radio Five Live as a contestant on Dancing On Ice 2024, she revealed it was her 'dream thing to do' because 'I love physical adventure'.

Lou added, “I'm nervous about cracking my head open or just hitting the old head. I can't afford to lose any more brain cells.

'I'm also afraid that my partner will come and pick me up, he will have to be very strong and very brave.'

She won the eighth series of Taskmaster in 2019 – pictured on the show with Iain Stirling (left) and Joe Thomas (centre)