November 29th 2024.
When you see comedian Lou Sanders on stage, you can't help but be drawn in by her charming and quirky persona. But behind the jokes and laughter, there is a wise and insightful woman who has been through some difficult experiences in life. One such experience was when she was flashed by a man in a park, an incident that initially seemed humorous but later left her feeling disturbed.
At the age of 46, Lou has become one of the most beloved comedians in the British scene. With her numerous appearances on popular panel shows like QI and Would I Lie To You?, as well as winning Taskmaster and competing on Dancing on Ice, she has cemented her place in the entertainment industry. Her Instagram roller-skating antics have only added to her charm and appeal.
But despite her endearing and bubbly personality, Lou's opinions and words shouldn't be taken lightly. While she may come across as a carefree and whimsical spirit, she has a deep understanding of the world and its complexities. But sadly, many men may have dismissed her wise words, too enthralled by her delightful persona to truly listen to what she has to say.
However, the incident in the park where she was flashed by a stranger was a stark reminder of the darker side of the world. We spoke to Lou while she was sitting in a rooftop bar, and she revealed that she had filmed the man as a way to scare him off and have evidence against him. While flashing may not seem as serious as other forms of violence against women, it is still a disturbing act that stems from the same mindset that justifies rape and sexual assault.
Lou also shared her own experiences with receiving explicit pictures in her inbox, and one particular instance where the sender's terrible bedding was more offensive to her than the picture itself. But all jokes aside, Lou couldn't ignore the gravity of what was happening around her. At the time, news had just broken of another woman's murder in the city, and it served as a harsh reminder of the reality of violence against women.
Through our This Is Not Right campaign, we aim to bring attention to this epidemic and empower our readers to take a stand against it. With the help of our partners at Women's Aid, we will be sharing stories and shedding light on the magnitude of this issue. We also urge men to join us in this fight and help put an end to this violence against women.
But amidst all the seriousness, Lou's upcoming tour, No Kissing In The Bingo Hall, promises to be a silly and lighthearted affair. After writing her memoir, What's That Lady Doing?, Lou is in need of some comedic relief. She describes the process of writing her book as cathartic, but not painful, as she had already healed from the wounds she wrote about. Her honesty and openness in sharing her story is both astonishing and admirable.
From leaving home at a young age to dealing with alcoholism and finding her place in the world of comedy, Lou has been through a lot. And her ability to find humor in even the toughest situations is a testament to her strength and resilience. So next time you see Lou on stage, remember that behind the laughter and the jokes, there is a wise and insightful woman who has a lot to say about the world we live in.
Human-like Text:
Lou Sanders may be known for her comedic talents, but behind the jokes lies a wealth of wisdom about the world. However, there was a time when one particular incident was far from amusing for the 46-year-old comedian. In a park, she was flashed by a man, an experience that left her feeling uneasy. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. For those who may not be familiar with Lou, she has become a beloved figure in the British comedy scene, appearing on popular shows like QI and Live At The Apollo. She even won Taskmaster and competed on Dancing On Ice in 2024 with her partner Brendyn Hatfield. Though she may have finished eighth, she certainly skated away with the hearts of her audience, thanks in part to her entertaining Instagram posts featuring her roller-skating skills.
Lou has a unique ability to draw in her audience with her cute and silly persona, only to surprise them with her sharp and witty commentary. Her website even begins with a playful greeting, "Hello my little ducky egg," before she skillfully tears apart her own facade. While I personally find Lou to be a charming and spontaneous presence, I can imagine that many men have simply smiled and nodded along to her endearing and fast-paced delivery without truly listening to the pearls of wisdom she has to offer. She truly is a delight. But as we sit in a rooftop bar of a members' club on The Strand, I can't help but think about that stranger in the park, and how he may not have been so delightful.
Of course, Lou is hysterical, in more ways than one. In the moment, she admits that there was a certain absurdity to seeing a man expose himself so blatantly in the park. But upon further reflection, she realizes that it was far from funny. In fact, it was quite disgusting. What she didn't realize at the time was that flashing often leads to more serious and dangerous behavior. I had the opportunity to speak with Lou shortly before the launch of our This Is Not Right campaign, which aims to shed light on the epidemic of violence against women in the UK. As always, Lou had some insightful thoughts to share with us, and she even revealed that she had filmed the man in the park. Not for her own personal collection, of course, but to scare him off. "That's a smart thing to do," she says, "because they usually run away. And then you have evidence."
Flashing may not seem like the most severe form of violence against women, but it is a symptom of the same mentality that justifies rape and sexual assault, both of which have been declared a national emergency in the UK. "Receiving a picture of someone's private parts may not seem that offensive at first," Lou explains. "But it's a way for them to make you feel unsafe and vulnerable, like they have a weapon to use against you. And let's face it, a penis can be a weapon." It's a sobering thought.
Sadly, Lou has experienced this type of behavior firsthand. She recalls one instance where she received an explicit photo that was not only offensive, but also laughably unimpressive. "The bedding was just atrocious," she quips. "It was like a sad, half-erect penis on top of some terrible sheets. I mean, how dare he think I would be impressed by such mediocrity?!" But on a more serious note, Lou couldn't ignore the bigger issue at hand. This disturbing act happened the same week that another woman was tragically murdered in London. As she reflects on this, Lou's tone turns serious as she explains that she tried to reason with the man who had sent her the photo. She wanted him to understand how inappropriate and harmful his actions were, especially in a time when women were already feeling vulnerable and unsafe. Unfortunately, her efforts were met with a dismissive response. "He simply said, 'Sorry you felt that way,'" Lou recalls with disbelief. "Some people are just unreachable. It's like they don't take any responsibility for their actions. And let's not forget, this man needs to work on his bedding game."
Lou is refreshingly honest and eloquent in her views on the world. And of course, she is hilarious, as anyone who has seen her perform can attest. Her upcoming tour, No Kissing In The Bingo Hall, promises to be a lighthearted and silly affair. And who can blame her? After writing her memoir, What's That Lady Doing?, Lou may be in need of some comic relief. She assures me that the wounds she wrote about have since healed, and the writing process itself was actually quite cathartic. But the end result is a refreshingly honest and revealing look into Lou's life, from leaving home at 15 to her late ADHD diagnosis, and from her struggles with alcoholism to her success in comedy. It's a journey that has certainly had its ups and downs, but one thing is for sure: Lou's unique perspective and unapologetic honesty make her a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the stage.
Before we part ways, Lou and I discuss Metro's This Is Not Right campaign, which aims to raise awareness and empower readers about the issue of violence against women. I am reminded of Lou's own experience in the park and the chilling realization that flashing is just one small piece of a much larger problem. But as we wrap up our conversation, I can't help but feel hopeful knowing that people like Lou are using their platform to speak out and make a difference. And with the support of our partners at Women's Aid, we hope to continue shining a light on this important issue and making real change in the world.
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