Comedian Sara Pascoe has opened up about the early days of her television career, revealing she was fired from a short-lived celebrity panel show after struggling with shyness on set.
Pascoe, 45, joined the Sky1 programme Wall of Fame after replacing model Tamara Ecclestone, 42, during its single-season run in 2011. Hosted by David Walliams, 55, the show featured two teams of panellists discussing weekly celebrity news, including figures such as Kate Garraway, 59, Jack Dee, 65, and Andrew Maxwell, 51. Pascoe appeared in eight episodes before the programme was cancelled.
Reflecting on the experience in an interview with Radio Times, Pascoe explained that office run-throughs had gone well, but actual filming proved much harder. She stated that she became so shy after initial jokes fell flat that she felt as though she had experienced a breakdown, sitting in silence for most of the recording. She noted that performing on panel shows requires a distinct skill set that differs significantly from stand-up comedy.
Beyond her recollections of Wall of Fame, Pascoe addressed broader industry trends regarding panel shows and television risk-taking. She expressed concern that television executives face tight financial constraints and cautious environments, leaving fewer platforms for newer comics and diverse voices to gain traction.
The comedian also touched upon her departure from the BBC competition series The Great British Sewing Bee, following comments she made last month on The Harry Hill Show indicating she was replaced by a younger woman. The BBC confirmed in September 2025 that Alma’s Not Normal star Sophie Willan, 39, would take over hosting duties for the Christmas Celebrity Special and subsequent regular series. BBC commissioning editor Cal Turner thanked Pascoe for her three brilliant series, praising her humour and charm.
Pascoe previously took maternity leave after welcoming her second child, Albie, via IVF with her husband, comedian Steen Raskopoulos, 39, in October 2023. Actor Kiell Smith-Bynoe, 37, stepped in during her absence. The couple also shares an older son, Theodore, born in February 2022.
Despite her exit from the sewing competition, Pascoe maintained a lighthearted perspective on the industry, expressing gratitude for her career and joking that she harbors a secret ambition to return as a contestant by learning to sew and working her way back up to the hosting chair.
