Jodie Fleming-Stanley tracked down Zoe Lyons in between shows

What made you decide to get into comedy?
I just had an underlying burning desire to do it. I knew I could make people laugh, and I knew I could do it as a kid. I would entertain parents with little stories I’d prepared. I’m basically a slightly moronic clown.

At what point did you realise you could make a career out of comedy?
After my first gig, at the Kingshead in London.  I was filled with adrenaline and a naive joy.  And also because I had nothing else to fall back on. I genuinely didn’t know what else to do with my life.

Do you think being an out gay female has had an impact on your career in comedy?
I’m not sure, I don’t really think about it to be brutally honest. it is a male dominated business, but so many businesses are.  There’s no point getting angry about it. It’s pointless! You can either give up, or you can plough your own path – and I like to think that’s what I’ve done.

You’ve been really successful as a TV comic too. How has that been?
There are trends in comedy which influence things.  Because of the recession, there’s a lot more comedy on tv. It’s cheap. Everything’s cyclical, including people’s motivations – in the 80′s there was a big rise in comedy on tv and it’s happening again. It’s cheaper for people to stay home and watch comedy on tv.

You were voted number 81 in the list of 101 most influential gay people in Britain. How did you feel about that?
I was quite surprised! I didn’t make the most recent list though … I plummted – like a really shitty pop song, I dropped right off the chart! I went to a celebratory event at Downing Street for LGBT History Month where there were lots of discerning gay people who had achieved lots. I got really pissed and have a vague memory of telling Jeanette Winterson I liked her book ‘Bananas are not the only Fruit‘! We got asked to keep it down … and I never got voted into this year’s list!

Do you see yourself as a role model for young gay people?
No, that would be too strong a word … I never really had role models so I know how important it is for a young gay person to see people just living their lives.

You’ve had a girlfriend for 12 years … how have you managed that?
Low self esteem and lack of imagination! On a serious note, we spend a lot of time apart and so we really make sure we enjoy the time we have together.  We’re also very different.  In the bits that are important, we’re similar though.  She’s older than me, and more sensible.  You’ve got to keep creating fun and stimulating each other.

Although you discuss your sexuality in your show; you’re not all about being gay. Is that intentional?
My life’s just not like that. I’m a married middle aged woman just going around my daily life. I find it bizarre when people define you by your sexuality.

The heterosexual audiences seem to really get on board with gay male comedy; do you think it’s the same for females?
It’s a tradition in the UK that people enjoy camp comedy. There’s panto; the drag scene; we’ve always had overly camp people on tv who are men dressed in womens clothes, and people are fine with that. Gay men are a straight woman’s best friend.  Flip it, and people can’t handle it!  Take an even slightly stronger, not even butch, woman – and no! People can’t handle it.  I like to consider myself a straight man’s best friend … I have lots more straight male friends than gay friends.

How do you feel about gay bars?
Even when I was younger, gay bars were a disappointment. They had nothing to offer me.

Is there any shows you’d recommend this year at the Fringe?
Margaret Cho – she’s really great

What else have you been doing this festival?
I’ve been cramming in lots of guest spots on different shows; sometimes up to 5 a day.  I was also on Set List, which was really fun. You get shown a list of random stuff for 15 second – and then you have to do 7 minutes based on it.

Have you got anything to say to ScotsGay readers?
Come see the show! It’s about gays and slankets! What’s not to enjoy?