Comedian Harriet Kemsley joined Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett OBE on Dish from Waitrose this week.
Harriet revealed quirky stories from her life, including her pet snail, which she once entered into a best pet competition. “He came second. It was like a shock element because they’d never had a snail before,” she said.
She spoke about becoming vegan after watching the film Wicked in November 2024. “I haven’t had an omelette or a yoghurt since because it was so sad seeing the goats lose their voices,” she explained, while also noting the challenge of her allergies. “I’m allergic to raw fruit, vegetables, and nuts. Being vegan is absurd,” she admitted.
Harriet recounted a serious allergic reaction during her honeymoon that led to a hospital visit. “My ex had to chase me around the airport with an EpiPen. We missed our flight, and he had to wear ‘I heart Santorini’ t-shirts because all luggage was lost,” she said.
The comedian also reflected on her time on Last One Laughing. “It was incredibly stressful. You have to be constantly on guard, or it’s over. I couldn’t relax at all,” she said.
Harriet talked about discovering her comedic talent and early stand-up experiences. “My parents watched Live at the Apollo and told me I could tell funny stories from my embarrassment. I kept it secret at first, but it felt amazing,” she said.
She also shared memories of starting comedy while juggling a demanding day job and exhaustion.
Looking at dating in 2026, she described it as “quite absurd” and noted the challenge of choice. “I didn’t have dating apps before, so it feels new, but the problem is what’s out there,” she said.
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