Nervous return for Jenny

Jenny Eclair says she's nervous about facing the critics with her new stand-up show.

She only performed 12 gigs last year, preferring instead to concentrating on novel-writing.

"I'm very nervous!" she told The Scotsman. "It's easy to get slagged off by the press, it might be my turn this year. But I'm only trying to make a living and do my best, which sounds naff, but it's all I can do, you know what I mean?"

The 1995 Perrier-winner last year published her first book, Camberwell Beauty, and has a second in the pipeline, in what she describes as a need to do something worthwhile.

"There's a sneaking need to have something with your name on it other than your tombstone," she said.

"Before your parents die you want to do something that they can tell their friends about.

"My mum has never seen one of my shows; she just knows she wouldn't like it. And my dad has a heart condition, so he's not allowed to come in case he drops down dead."

Her new show, Middle Aged Bimbo, is at the Pleasance, Edinburgh. She then joins the FHM tour.

Published: 4 Aug 2001