ZOE Lyons will be heading to Taunton next month as the main act for the town’s comedy festival.

The comedian, who lives in Brighton, said her comedy might not change the world but it will hopefully make you laugh.

Zoe is well known around the comedy circuit, having appeared on Mock the Week and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.

But Zoe is a comedic legend in her own right and since winning the Funny Women Awards in 2004, things have really taken off for her.

“I have always been a show off,” she said. “After uni, I did a two-year drama course where I loved playing the comedic roles. I started going along to open mic nights to watch stand up and decided that was what I wanted to do.

“I wrote five minutes of material, it went well and I never looked back.”

Zoe, who lives in Brighton, said she takes a sideways view of life, picking out the many absurdities, but it is her energy which makes her shows so enjoyable.

She added: “My stand up style is quite animated. I like to flesh out my routines with voices and movements.

“I have always thought of my stuff as a mix of observational and clowning.

“It won’t change the world, but hopefully it will make you laugh.”

And she takes inspiration from two comedy legends.

“Growing up I loved watching Steve Martin and the late great Robin Williams,” she said, “two guys who put so much energy into their shows.

“Billy Connolly was another great influence when I was a kid and at the moment I am really enjoying watching Katherine Ryan perform.

“Her style is completely different to mine and I love her attitude on stage.”

You can watch Zoe perform on November 7 at the Taunton Comedy Festival on November 7 at Queen’s College.

She’ll be joined by John Moloney, Geoff Whiting, Tim Clark and Stuart Laws.

Tickets cost £20 and doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. For information, visit the Taunton Comedy website.