Victoria Wood OBE (born 19 May 1953 in Prestwich Village, Lancashire) is a BAFTA award winning English comedian, actor, singer and writer, educated at Bury Grammar Girls' School. Wood has written and starred in sketches, plays, films and sitcoms, and her live stand-up comedy act is interspersed with her own compositions, which she accompanies on piano.
Much of her humour is grounded in everyday life, and abounds with references to popular British media and even brand names of quintessentially British products. She is noted for her skills in observing culture, and in satirising classes.
She started her career in 1974 by winning the ATV talent show New Faces. It wasn't until the 1980s though that she began to establish herself as a comedy star, with award-winning television series such as Victoria Wood As Seen On TV and becoming one of Britain's most popular stand-up comedians.
In 1999, she wrote and starred in the (again, award-winning) sitcom dinnerladies . In 2006, she won two BAFTA awards for her one-off drama for ITV1, Housewife, 49.
Wood frequently uses a string of associated actors in some of her output. These include Julie Walters, Duncan Preston and Celia Imrie.
Sketch based show starring Victoria Wood, Julie Walters and many others. Included regular items such as "Acorn Antiques" with Julie as Mrs Overall and a regular advice slot from Agony Aunt Kitty (Patricia Routledge). Written by Steve Crook
An English comedian known for her one-woman shows on stage and her television shows.
Studied at Birmingham University, gaining an honours BA in drama.
Appointed an OBE in 1997.
Has two children, Grace (born 1988) and Henry (born 1992).
She is to receive the award for Outstanding Contribution to Comedy at the British Comedy Awards 2005.
