Ronni Ancona: The shy girl who became everyone else
2026-10-30
Ronni Ancona grew up in Troon as the daughter of a Royal Navy officer and a theatre designer, surrounded by golf courses, pantomimes and the smell of paint in her mother’s scenery workshops. Shy, awkward and often teased at school, she discovered early that making people laugh could be both a defence and a way of finding her place.
In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien meets the comedian, actor and impressionist to trace her unlikely journey from a Scottish school classroom to the forefront of British comedy. Ronni recalls finding her first acting role by accidentally walking into the wrong room, training as an art teacher, and nervously stepping onto the stand-up circuit at a time when female comedians were still a rarity.
She discusses winning the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year award, working alongside comics including Jo Brand, Jack Dee and Lee Evans, and the cultural moment that made The Big Impression such a phenomenon.
Along the way, she talks about acting in Last Tango in Halifax, EastEnders and the new film Think of England, as well as the comic chaos of meeting Nigella Lawson while impersonating her on live television.
It’s a funny, frank and affectionate conversation about confidence, class, comedy and creativity — and about learning to inhabit other people when you are still working out who you are yourself.
Find out more about Think of England here.
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What makes people who they are? On Full Disclosure, award-winning LBC presenter and best-selling author James O’Brien sits down with fascinating guests from politics, news and entertainment for honest, thoughtful and often surprising conversations. Going beyond the headlines, James explores the stories, ideas and experiences that shape the people behind the public personas.
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