Eleanor & Pals

There’ll be no journey, no trauma, and certainly no learning – Eleanor & Pals is simply a unique comedy show featuring top female character comedy talent from across the UK. This episode features the brilliant Zara Gladman and her 'Aileen' character.

As we lurched from one existential crisis to another during the Covid years, what we all collectively shouted for was top character comedy being performed against a blank white wall to help cheer us up… Thankfully, Eleanor Morton obliged with lots of silly voices and characters and, on occasion, a beard painted on her face with a Sharpie.

The results were staggering, with Eleanor chalking up hit after hit on social media, resulting in 3 million likes and 425,000 followers across all platforms.

It led to notable followers who shared her work online, including Michael McKean, Taika Waititi, Stewart Lee (not on socials but he recommended Eleanor in his newsletter. Old school!), Patton Oswalt, Dawn French, Jim Gaffigan, Jared Harris (retweeted Eleanor twice when she spoofed him), Chris O Dowd and Ben Stiller.

This worldwide fame and recognition led to Eleanor eventually being able to afford a scarf and a hat as props for future clips. With a wistful notion she might make money, Eleanor now takes these weird and wonderful characters to the live space and Radio 4.

Written and performed by Eleanor Morton and special guest Zara Gladman
Recorded at The Monkey Barrel in Edinburgh
Producer: Gus Beattie

A Gusman production for BBC Radio 4