Francesca Martinez
Award Winning English Stand-up Comedian

Francesca was nominated for the UK’s Motivator Of The Year Award’ in 2005. This award recognizes an individual who is an outstanding achiever in a sport, business, entertainment or charity capacity. She was nominated alongside Olympic Gold Medallist, Matthew Pincent, and Sir Bob Geldof.

Using her award-winning humour, Francesca has given many inspirational speeches in the UK and abroad. She talks passionately about facing your fears and the profound power of positive thinking, gaining the right perspective and questioning society‘s values. Francesca shares insights into defying expectations, winning against the odds and overcoming physical and psychological barriers.

Francesca truly believes that we all have to learn the same life lessons and this means her speeches are universally powerful. She defines herself by what she can do and not by what she can’t do - this is what makes her a moving, uplifting and unforgettable speaker.

Whether through stand-up comedy, motivational speaking or after-dinner speaking, Francesca communicates an inspiring message. She has given many motivational speeches to schools, colleges, companies, charities, celebrities, dinner guests and as part of her role as a London 2012 Olympic Ambassador. She has spoken at events with Roy Keane and Irish PM, Bertie Aherne.

Francesca loves audiences of any age and with her comedy skills she is the perfect performer to entertain, inspire and motivate.

Biography - 2006

• Francesca is commissioned to write a comedy pilot for the BBC.
• Francesca performs at Dublin Castle at the televised “02 The Ability Awards 2006” attended by Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Aherne.
• Francesca’s episode of ‘Extras’ is nominated for a Banff World Television Festival Award for Best Comedy along with ‘Desperate Housewives’.
• Francesca becomes a Global Angels Ambassador and performs at a charity event on May 12th with Daniel and Natasha Bedingfield and others.
• Francesca appears in ‘A History Of Offensive Humour’ on Channel 4 in June.
• Francesca is nominated in Channel 4’s ‘Top 100 Stand-Ups’ poll and appears in ‘The World’s Greatest Stand-Ups’ on Channel 4 this Autumn.
• June - Francesca's episode of 'Extras' wins a Banff World Television Award for Best Comedy.

Biography - 2005

• Francesca stars in ‘Extras’ (BBC2 & HBO) with Ricky Gervais and Kate Winslet.
• Francesca performs at Dublin Castle at the televised ‘O2 The Ability Awards 2005’ (RTE1) which is attended by Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Aherne.
• Francesca is the subject of Irish Prime-time TV documentary ‘Three 60’ (RTE1)
• Francesca is nominated for the ‘UK’s Motivator Of The Year’ Award.
• Francesca appears in ‘Politically Incorrect’ (Sky One).
• Francesca organises a benefit show at The Hackney Empire with Johnny Vegas, Lee Mack and Al Murray.
• Francesca performs her solo show at UK venues
• Francesca headlines at UK venues on the Comedy Network tour.

Biography - 2004

• Francesca presents a two-part BBC Radio 4 documentary entitled ‘Should We Be Laughing?’.
• Francesca stars in ‘ A Thing Called Love’ (BBC1) opposite Paul Nichols.
• Francesca appears in ‘The Top Ten Commandments’ (Channel 4).
• Francesca performs in Trafalgar Square as part of the International Day Of Disability celebrations.
• Francesca performs at London’s Dorchester Hotel at a gala event with speeches by Cherie Blair andNelson Mandela.
• Francesca is invited to Number 11 Downing Street for a reception hosted by Chancellor Gordon Brown for the 25th Anniversary of the charity, Contact A Family, of which Francesca is a patron.
• Francesca tours I’MPERFECT at UK venues.

Biography - 2003

• Francesca guests on ‘The Frank Skinner Show’ (ITV1).
• Francesca interviews Ricky Gervais, Frank Skinner and Daniel Bedingfield for a Channel 4 pilot chatshow.
• Francesca is voted one of ‘Britain’s 50 Funniest Comedians’ in The Observer.
• Francesca is commissioned by the National Theatre to write and perform a half-hour short story.
• Francesca stars as a guest lead in ‘Holby City’ (BBC1).
• Francesca stars as a guest lead in ‘Doctors’ (BBC1).
• Francesca hosts three ‘Creative Courage’ workshops at the Bargehouse in London.
• Francesca is the only international female comedian to be invited to perform her solo show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
• Francesca is interviewed on prime-time Australian TV news show, ‘Health Dimensions’ (ABC).
• Francesca performs stand-up on the Australian TV shows ‘Comedy Gala’ (10) and ‘Upfront’ (10).
• Francesca tours I’MPERFECT around the UK.
• Francesca performs to government ministers at the launch of the European Year of Disabled People.
• Francesca becomes a patron of the charity Disability Equality in Education.

Biography - 2002

• Francesca performs at Yuks Yuks, Ottowa, Canada’s largest comedy club.
• She is also invited to perform at Canada’s International Day of Disability Awards.
• Performs in Funny Women, a charity gala at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End.
• Headlines a UK tour with The Comedy Network.
• Appears as a guest on ‘Gloria Hunniford’s Open House’ (Channel 5)
• Performs her sell out debut solo show, I’MPERFECT, at the Edinburgh Festival. Writes for the weekly BBC disability website ‘OUCH!’

Biography - 2001

• Francesca stars in the prestigious Comedy Zone, at the Edinburgh Festival.
• Francesca performs at The Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
• Performs at The Montreal Just For Laughs’ Comedy Festival.
• Performs on Broadway, New York.
• Francesca guests on ‘Esther’ (BBC2)
• Francesca is commissioned to write a sitcom script for Channel 4.
• Francesca tours the UK with The Comedy Network.

Biography - 2000

• Francesca is the subject of Radio 4 documentary ‘No Triumph, No Tradegy’.
• Francesca is invited to perform on ‘Barrymore’ (ITV1)
• Winner of the prestigious ‘The Daily Telegraph Open Mic Award’.
• Finalist of Channel 4’s ‘So You Think You’re Funny?’ competition.
• Commended in the final of the ‘Hackney Empire New Act of the Year’ competition. Francesca performs regularly at top London circuit venues such as The Comedy Store.

Testimonials

"Francesca was fantastic. The laughter was non-stop for the full hour. She expertly mixed the comedy with the motivational. I will definitely be recommending her in the future."
Rachel Hinde, Oracle

"When I was at Unilever I organised an event around the theme of creative courage. All artists display varying degrees of courage but Francesca walked on stage and changed the atmosphere. She made them more courageous from that moment. It was like a euphoria - it took them a while to come down."
Unilever

“In all our years of annual conferences, Francesca is the first speaker to receive a standing ovation! Francesca had told us 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' - this young woman has it in abundance! Pearls of wisdom flowed from her mouth and her act was both hilarious and inspirational. A refreshingly different take on comedy, she wise-cracks her way through prejudice and disability, using everyday events seen from a disabled person's angle, as the butt of her jokes. A big-hearted lady with a zest for life, from whom everyone could learn a lesson.”
Inner Wheel Association Of Great Britain

“Francesca was brilliant - a real tonic for just after lunch.”
Leonard Chesire

“Francesca was a great success and I have received very good feedback from our staff.”
Accenture

“Francesca was great - as ever! And we look forward to an opportunity to work again with her soon.”
Live Group

“When I invited Francesca Martinez to speak to a group of second year undergraduates as part of a communications module, I was hoping for a different approach to the topic. I was not disappointed. The session was well received by the students, thoroughly enjoyed by all and fulfilled all the learning objectives. The session also reinforced my belief that humour enhances learning. Any effect will be longlasting and influence the students long after leaving the lecture theatre. It was an education in itself.”
St George’s University Hospital

“Francesca's performance went down fantastically with lots of positive feedback.”
Unison

“Everybody loved Francesca's performance - she was the highlight of an evening of exciting performances. Her warm, friendly, easy-going personality endeared her to those who worked with her at the event.”
Harrow Borough Council

“The seminar was a success - thanks in no small way to Francesca’s fantastic performance; on which we got great feedback. Thanks again to Francesca for coming over and making it memorable.”
Holohan Leisure Group

"Excellent fun - fantastic! I haven't laughed so hard for ages and it's brilliant that the council has included the comedy night as an awareness raising event which gave us all a giggle! Francesca’s performance was top notch."
Woking Borough Council

“Thank you so much to Francesca. She was just perfect for the event - she pitched it all just right and seemed so lovely. She was very inspirational, SO naturally funny (and VERY beautiful!).”
Generate

“Francesca’s speech was the hit of the evening – funny, personal and very inspirational. Everyone singled her out and said what a great speaker she was. Her impact was amazing and we’d love her to come back next year.”
World Economic Forum – Davos 2008

What the Press has said:

“The fastest-rising female comic in the country”
The Observer

“Has changed the face of British Comedy”
The Sunday Times

“Exceptional wit. Her star quality is breathtaking”
The Daily Telegraph

“Excellent. Sharp, hard-hitting and very funny”
Time Out

“A five-star act”
The Guardian Guide

“Hilarious!”
bbc.co.uk

“A comic sensation”
The Daily Mirror

“The electricity she generated through her act was near palpable. An electrifying act. Stand-up with extra bite”
The Independent

“She may be wobbly but never the jokes.The sweetest face in thebusiness”
The Stage

“Inspiring. A winning combination of charm and talent”
The Evening Standard

Press - I'MPERFECT

“A challenging and hilarious act. She is intelligent, insightful, immensely likeable and charmingly dangerous”
The Sunday Herald * * * *

“Absolutely hilarious you dont't want it to end”
Paramount Comedy * * * * *

“Perfect stand-up, Brilliant and beautiful”
The Daily Mail * * * *

“Very funny. Her comic timing is perfect”
Metrol * * * *

“She is enormously charismastic...Absolutely hilarious”
Standup.com * * *

“Simply very, very funny”
The List * * * *

“Beautiful”
The Sunday Times

“It is refreshing to see acomedian with convictionsespecially one who has so much charm and energy”
The Guardian * * * *

“Wise and witty. She is oneof the most self-assuredcomedians on the circuit”
The Scotsman * * * *

“Gut-wrenching laughter - an hour of her time is indeed a privilege”
The Observer

Press - International

“Martinez is extraordinarily talented. Her show is agem in the festival line-up. Brilliant”
ComedyLive Melbourne

“Confronting, honest, cutting, provocative, edgy and very, very funny. An inspired performer”
Beat Magazine Australia

“Impressive comic timing... Clever and challenging”
The Weekend Australian

“She has a wicked wit and a self-confident charm. It’s a great show, both perceptive and funny”
Stage Left Melbourne

“Martinez cleverly upended perceptions”
The Sydney Morning Herald

“Shockingly funny.Go and see for yourself”
Inpress Magazine

“Fabulously hilarious”
The Irish Times

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