Kay is a writer performer with many years’ experience in TV, Film, Theatre & Radio. She won the Titheridge Award for promising new comedy writer in 1995, one of only a handful of women ever to do so and has been on the writing team of many award-winning TV shows including ‘My Family,’ ‘Shaun the Sheep,’ ‘Harry Enfield and Chums,’ and ‘Alistair McGowan’s Big Impression.’
Kay is the co-founder of ‘FEMALE PILOT’ CLUB’ a new showcase for female comedy writers launched in June 2019 featuring high profile comedy performers including Arabella Weir, Robert Webb, Keil Smith-Bynoe, Isy Suttie and Jordan Stephens. The club partnered with UKTV in 2023 to produce a female writers initiative for sit-com scripts with leading characters over 45. Two of the featured scripts are now in professional development. In 2024 Female Pilot Club was awarded a BBC TV Comedy outreach grant.
The FEMALE PILOT CLUB PODCAST hosted by Kay Stonham, Abigail Burdess and Emily Chase, launched in January 2022 with episodes featuring Georgia Pritchett (Veep, Succession) Janice Hallett (The Appeal, The Twyford Code) and Julie Bower (So Awkward.) Two further series featured Sioned Wiliam, (CEO of S4C), Emily Lloyd Saini, (Juice) Kerry Howard, (Him and Her) Nikki Patel (Coronation Street) and Arabella Weir (Two Doors Down).
For Radio, Kay created the original and critically acclaimed radio series ‘Audio Diaries’ which ran for three seasons on Radio 4. She also co-created ‘Robin and Wendy’s Wet Weekends,’ which featured Amelia Bulmore, Sharon Horgan, and James Corden. She also created the Radio 4 comedy drama series ‘Bad Salsa’ starring Sharon Rooney, Camille Coduri and Natasha Little. Both series are now on Audible.
Film and Television/Female Pilot Club
2026 – GOBBY GIRLS – THE AFTER PARTY – Gilded Balloon Edinburgh
2026 – Festival Director FEMALE PILOT CLUB FILM AND SCRIPT FESTIVAL, All is Joy Soho.
2026 – GOBBY GIRLS -THE AFTER PARTY – returns to Soho Theatre for a new sell-out run.
2025 – Collaborated with GOBBY GIRLS to produce, direct and script edit GOBBY GIRLS – THE AFTER PARTY, a new sell-out sketch show at Soho Theatre
2025 – Collaborated with GOBBY GIRS and FUNNY WOMEN to produce, direct and script edit GOBBY GIRLS – THE 11% CLUB” a new sketch show, written, performed, produced and directed by women, at The Three Sisters for the Edinburgh Festival.
2025 – Produced and directed sell-out show case at Leicester Square Theatre
2024 – Awarded BBC Comedy Grant
2024 – Pilot Script Commission ‘The Little Italian Hotel’ (Blackbox Productions and ZDF)
2023 – Commissioned TV adaptation for Blackbox Productions ‘The Little Italian Hotel’
2023 – Female Pilot Club – Three radio sit-coms in development
2023 – Began collaboration with composer Lisa Logan to produce reading of new comic opera
2023 – FEMALE PILOT CLUB became agreed supplier for BBC Radio
2023 – Produced and presented Series 3 FEMALE PILOT CLUB PODCAST
2023 – Directed ‘QUEER JIG’ by Leigh Douglas and ‘THICKER THAN WATER’ by Sydney Stephenson at JW3 Centre for FPC/UKTV Writers Initiative.
2022 – Script edited four new comedy TV scripts for UKTV Writers Initiative
2022 – Produced – FEMALE PILOT CLUB/UKTV Female Writers Initiative
2022 – FEMALE PILOT CLUB PODCAST SERIES 2 – with Athena Kugblenu, Sioned William
2022 – FEMALE PILOT CLUB PODCAST LAUNCH – with Georgia Pritchett, Janice Hallett and Julie Bower.
2021 – FEMALE PILOT CLUB PODCAST
In development with Abigail Burdess
2020 – FEMALE PILOT CLUB MENTORING SCHEME– Run with support from Comedy 50:50 and ScreenSkills UK.
2019 – WHAT WOULD BOUDICCA DO?
Teen adaptation of the best-selling book, with Bafta Award Winning screenwriter Catherine Williams (in development)
2018 – THE PACT
Comedy-drama pilot script co-written with Helen Jacey
In development
BAD SALSA
Treatment in development with Hat Trick Productions for TV adaptation of radio series
2017 TEE & MO
1 x 7 minute episode for Plug-In Productions
‘NOING’
2016 MILLIE INBETWEEN
1 x episode for series 3, The Foundation/CBBC
MEET THE SIVF-LINGS
Original comedy-drama
WHERE’S WHALEED
Treatment for Children’s series in development with Devonia Road Productions
2013 YE OLDE DRAGON’S DEN
BBC Children’s Sketch Show, 2013.
2012 HEATHCLIFF ALONE
Feature film inspired by a character from Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights.
In development.
FLIPSIDE
Bible and pilot script commission with Red for BBC
2011 LIFE OF RILEY
Additional material and script polishing across Series 3 for Catherine Bailey / BBC1, 2010-2011.
2010 THE STRUGGLE MOSEY’S ON
Writer/Director of short film.
***Shortlisted for best film Tricycle Theatre’s Women, Power and Politics Festival.
EBABY BOOM
Further development commissioned for CBBC, based on NANNY KNOWS BEST, 2009-10.
MY GHOST MUM
Original series in development.
2009 MUDDLE EARTH
2 x 10 minute animated script for CBBC.
THE IMP
Animation storylines and 7 minute script for Red Kite.
2008 SHAUN THE SHEEP
One episode for Aardman.
**Winner of the Writer’s Guild Award, 2010.
**Winner of the International Emmy Awards, 2010
DANI’S HOUSE
Two episodes for RDF/BBC.
2007 BORN AGAIN DAD
Original comedy script commission for BBC 1, 2006-7.
2006 MY FAMILY
Table-writing for DLT/BBC 1.
NANNY KNOWS BEST
Two original sitcom scripts commissioned for BBC 1.
2005 GIRLS IN LOVE
Two episodes for Granada/ITV, 2004-5.
KERCHING!
Six episodes written over four series for Children’s BBC, 2002-5.
2004 DEAD RINGERS
Series 4, sketch for BBC 2.
GRANGE HILL
Three episodes for Mersey TV/BBC, 2003-4.
2002 ALISTAIR MCGOWAN’S BIG IMPRESSION TV TO GO
Two series for Vera/BBC, 2000-2002.
**Winner ‘Best Comedy’ at The Comedy Awards.
ONLY NOW
Original pilot script commissioned by Tiger Aspect.
ROBIN AND WENDY
Two original scripts commissioned by Channel X.
POPE TOWN
Animation series for Channel X.
2001 THE SKETCH SHOW
Series for Baby Cow/ITV.
1998 ALAS SMITH AND JONES
Series for BBC, 1994-8.
COMEDY NATION
Series for BBC.
BARKING
Writer and performer for series on C4.
1996 SPITTING IMAGE
Series for Central/ITV, 1995-6.
HALE AND PACE
Series for LWT/ITV, 1993-6.
RORY BREMNER WHO ELSE?
Series for Channel 4.
1994 HARRY ENFIELD AND CHUMS
Series for Channel 4.
**Won the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain Award
Radio/ Audio
2017 BAD SALSA
3 x series for Radio 4 starring Camille Coduri, Sharon Rooney and Natasha Little (2014-2017)
2016 CURFEW 24/7
Original YA e-book and audio book commissioned by AudioGo.
2012 SECRET DIARY OF A MAGISTRATE
BBC Radio 4.
2011 LAST CHANCE TO SEE
1 X 30 minute for BBC Radio 4.
2010 SECRET DIARY OF A CALL CENTRE GIRL
1 x 15 minute pilot for BBC Radio 4.
2009 MADAME MAESTRO
6 x 10 minutes for BBC Radio 7, Unique.
2005 ROBIN AND WENDY’S WET WEEKEND
Creator, Writer and Performer of four original series for BBC Radio 4,
2002-5 SUNDAY FORMAT
Series for Radio 4, BBC.
THE POWDER ROOM
Series for Unique/BBC Radio 2.
ROBIN AND WENDY IN EDINBURGH
Original spin-off from the BBC Radio series.
2002 DEAD RINGERS
Writer on series for Radio 4.
2001 AND THIS IS THEM
Series for Radio 2, BBC.
AUDIO DIARIES
Creator of three original series, for BBC Radio 4, 1997-2001.
Series 1: Writer
Series 2: Writer and Script Editor
Series 3: Co-Producer
**Nominated for a Prix Italia Radio Award.
1997 LIFE AFTER LIFE
Comedy drama for BBC Radio 2.
THE TREATMENT
Series for BBC Radio 5.
1996 WEEKENDING
Series for BBC Radio 4, 1993-6.
THE BEATON GENERATION
Series for BBC Radio 4.
1988 NAKED VIDEO
Writer on Sketch Show for BBC Scotland.
Performing
Kay’s performing credits include BBC films directed by Mike Leigh (‘Home Sweet Home’), Jonathan Miller (‘Beggar’s Opera’) and Mike Newell (‘The Nation’s Health’) and a season at the National Theatre. She also appeared in cult BBC series ‘A Very Peculiar Practice’ and ‘The Young Ones’. Kay also has many acting credits in BBC Radio 4 productions. Kay’s performing credits in Television & Film are as follows:
NEW TRICKS BBC/Wall to Wall
BROKEN NEWS BBC
DEAD RINGERS BBC
HUSTLE Kudos Film & TV
VIGO Impact Pictures
TIME GENTLEMAN PLEASE Avalon
NORTH SQUARE Working Title
PEOPLE LIKE US BBC
BARKING Channel X
DOES CHINA EXIST BBC
INSPECTOR MORSE Carlton
LAZARUS & DINGWALL BBC
MR LOVE Enigma/Warner Bros
SHALOM JOAN COLLINS C4
AN AFFAIR IN MIND BBC
A VERY PECULIAR PRACTICE BBC
BUDDY BBC
THE LENNY HENRY SHOW BBC
THE YOUNG ONES BBC
THE BEGGARS OPERA BBC
CARROT’S LIB BBC
Script Development and Consulting
- Script development on sell-out sketch show, Edinburgh, Soho Theatre
- Script development on UKTV women writers’ initiative 2024
- Script consultation service launched by Female Pilot club 2024
- Script Consultant for Script Angel 2018-
- Short and feature film development for London Film Academy Diploma Students. 2012 – 2024
- Script Development for Catherine Bailey Productions 2011-15 Includes working with new writers on features, sit-coms, and radio series
- Freelance script editing on short films, short stories and other projects
- Ministry of Stories: Writing Mentor working with children
Academic work, Lecturing, Masterclasses and Workshops
2024 – NFTL Comedy course speaker and mentor.
2020 – 2024 LONDON FILM ACADEMY
MA Screenwriting, MA Film-making, BA FILM-MAKING
2016 – 2024 LONDON FILM ACADEMY
Screenwriting Diploma/Film-making Diploma/BA Film/Making/Directing Diploma
2015/16 BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY
Lecturer in Screenwriting
2014 LONDON FILM ACADEMY
Screenwriting Diploma/Film-Making Diploma
ROYAL HOLLOWAY UNIVERSITY
What Next? How to Start and Continue a Career in Writing (Oct)
Industry Read- Script Development Tutorial (Jul)
CITY UNIVERSITY (MA Creative Writing)
Comedy Master Class (Jul)
LONDON ACADEMY OF FILM (Screenwriting Foundation Course)
Short Film Development Programme (Jun)
LONDON FILM ACADEMY (Film Foundation Course)
Short Film Writing Module (Jan)
2013 LONDON ACADEMY OF FILM (Screenwriting Diploma Course)
Master class: What is a Sit-Com? (Nov)
ROYAL HOLLOWAY UNIVERSITY (MASTFiR)
Guest Sessions (Oct/Nov):
Understanding the TV Landscape
Getting Started – How to make the most of your MA
UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER
Teaching Fellow in Screenwriting (2011-2013)
Joint Course Leader in Screenwriting (2012-2013)
Modules Taught (BA Joint Honours):
Screenwriting Fundamentals
Screen Adaptation
Radio and TV Comedy
Modules Written:
Industry Practices and Applications
Scriptwriting – Ideas, Development and Structure
Scriptwriting – Concept, Development and Realisation
Short Courses and Intensives:
3 Day Film Challenge
2 Day Sit-Com Intensive
2010 ROYAL HOLLOWAY UNIVERSITY
Writing for Radio
THE INSTITUTE HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB
Creative Writing For Wimps!
Group Writing Project
2009 LONDON COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS (MA and BA)
Master class- Writing Comedy
ROYAL HOLLOWAY UNIVERSITY
Writing for Animation
2008 LONDON COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS (BA)
Film Writing Module
THE INSTITUTE HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB
Creative Writing For Wimps!
WRITER’S WORKSHOP
Ran “Made in East Finchley” a writing group for new writers.
Other Relevant Experience
TALKS SCHEMES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
2024 – Awarded PhD in Media Production, English and Creative Arts from Liverpool Edge Hill University
2019 WHEXT Festival, San Paolo, Brazil
2019 BFI Future Films Festival, London
2018, SPEAKER AT TRAILBLAZING WOEMN IN FILM AND TV CONFERENCE, Greenwich University, London
2018 SPEAKER/WORKSHOP LEADER TALENT LAB, LONDON SCREENWRITERS FESTIVAL
2018 KEYNOTE SPEAKER WHEXT Festival of Advertising San Paolo, Brazil
2017 STORYLAB – PANAMA FILM COUNCIL, PANAMA
Development project working with local film-makers
2014 SPEAKER AT LONDON FILM FESTIVAL
The Art of Adaptation
SPEAKER AT SALFORD SYMPOSIUM ON TEACHING SCREENWRITING
2011 SPEAKER AT LONDON COMEDY WRITERS’ FESTIVAL
FEATURE SCRIPT ‘HEATHCLIFF ALONE’ SHORTLISTED FOR GUIDING LIGHTS MENTORING SCHEME
2010 SHORT FILM ‘THE STRUGGLE MOSEYS ON’ SHORT LISTED FOR BEST FILM
Shown at The Tricycle Theatre’s ‘Women Power and Politics’ short film festival in 2010 and shown at the London Independent Film Festival in 2011
SELECTED AS ONE OF THE 12 PARTICIPANTS TO ATTEND ‘THE LAST LAUGH PROGRAMME’
A feature film development initiative from Warp X and Bird’s Eye View