An English actress, comedienne, playwright and theatre director. She best known for her portrayals of Perry in the Harry Enfield film Kevin and Perry Go Large, and of Linda La Hughes in the sitcom Gimme Gimme Gimme (the latter of which she co-wrote and developed with Jonathan Harvey). She is also known for her regular appearances on French and Saunders, Absolutely Fabulous and Harry Enfield and Chums.

A surprising recent ne direction was her role as Connie Sachs in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011).