Page 154 - Katherine Ryan press pack

Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan has become a regular feature on British

comedy television, appearing frequently on Mock the Week, QI and Have I Got
News For You.

Now, she discovers her family origins on next week's episode of Who Do You Think
You Are?, broadcast at 9pm on Monday 19 August on BBC One.
Here’s five things you might not know about the star…

1. University graduate

Although she has made a career in comedy, Ryan has a serious academic
background. She graduated in City Planning from the prestigious University of
Toronto, an institution which jousts in the league tables with the likes of America’s
Harvard and Yale.

2. Irish and British connections
Ryan’s Irish father worked as draughtsman. He emigrated to Canada and met

Ryan’s mother, an IT consultant and businesswoman. Ryan has also described
British comedy as “the most clever in the world” which perhaps explains her enduring
popularity across the country.

3. Cancer survivor
At only 36, Ryan has undergone treatment for skin cancer on two occasions. In the
face of this adversity, Ryan remained optimistic, saying: “cancer unites us because it
affects us all”. She is presently well and lives with her daughter Violet in London.

4. Cosmetic surgery
Throughout her career, Ryan has made her various cosmetic surgery procedures a
running topic of her routine. Ryan says that if everyone was open about cosmetic
surgery “there would be a lot less fuss”.

5. Netflix success

Starting her career in Britain with open mic nights, Ryan’s popularity and profile grew
extraordinarily and she has now become a staple of British comedy television. In
addition to her many panel show appearances, Ryan has both featured in and
headlined Live at the Apollo and her live show Glitter Room is now being shown on
Netflix.