British Comedy Guide
Jan Ravens
Jan Ravens

Jan Ravens

  • 66 years old
  • English
  • Actor and impressionist

Press clippings

We owe it all to Mike Yarwood, say pioneer impressionist's heirs

The 1970s star blazed the way for mass-audience satire in Britain. But is there an appetite for it now?

Vanessa Thorpe, The Observer, 10th September 2023

Jan Ravens - the impressionist who got Liz Truss down to a T

The star of radio's Dead Ringers on the battles she's fought to have her voice heard - and why she wishes our shortest-serving prime minister had hung around just a bit longer.

Simon O'Hagan, Radio Times, 9th December 2022

Dead Ringers is satire's great saviour - our politicians should be worried

The comedy sketch show is back, in rip-roaring form, just when the public needs it most.

Gerard O'Donovan, The Telegraph, 22nd June 2022

ISIHAC: how radio's smuttiest show has beaten the censors for 50 years

Innuendo, tone-deaf singing and dreadful wages: as the cherished BBC panel game celebrates its half century, we look back at its finest moments - and its future.

Mark Lawson, The Guardian, 11th April 2022

Jan Ravens: 'I once got paid £10k to sigh like a relaxed penguin'

She has voiced the Cadbury Caramel Bunny and the Queen. After her former husband's tragic memory loss she says that planning for healthcare is the most important thing (but she does like a Lexus).

The Times, 20th February 2022

Just a Minute, review

Radio 4's much-loved show will be just fine with new host Sue Perkins.

Charlotte Runcie, The Telegraph, 6th September 2021

Can Sue Perkins fill Nicholas Parsons's shoes on JAM?

In her first episode as chair, she proves herself a deeply reassuring choice.

Anna Leszkiewicz, The New Statesman, 1st September 2021

Jan Ravens interview

"Since Spitting Image, I've had to remind everyone I'm an actor too".

Nick Smurthwaite, The Stage, 6th March 2020

Jan Ravens interview

English actress and impressionist discusses her first impressions and favourite impersonations from across her long-running career.

Brian Donaldson, The List, 30th July 2019

Edinburgh preview: Returning Champions

It's hard to stay away from Edinburgh whether you are new to the comedy game or an old hand. This year there are a number of brilliant comedians coming back who have won the Edinburgh Comedy Award, best known as the Perrier but now sponsored by digital channel Dave. You can only win the top award once and there are certainly easier ways to make money, so why come back? It must be for the sheer fun and the incredible buzz of the Fringe.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 29th July 2019

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