Biography
Pamela Stephenson shot to UK fame in 1979 as a comedienne, actress and sex symbol thanks to Not The Nine O'Clock News.
She met and married fellow comedian Billy Connolly and turned her comedy career on its head by pursuing psychology instead.
She's now a well-known and respected Sexologist who believes dance and sex are intrinsically linked. We are sure to see her turning up the heat when performing on Strictly Come Dancing this year!
Career
Pamela's early stage career in Australia included many leading roles at the Sydney Theatre Company based at The Opera House including Threepenny Opera, Peer Gynt and Edward Bond's Lear.
In 1976 Pamela arrived in the UK to build a TV career.
She was an overnight sensation in the hit TV series Not The Nine O'Clock News. She was renowned for her impersonations of Angela Rippon, Jan Leeming, Kate Bush and Janet Street-Porter.
She then focused her career in the US and featured in numerous episodes of Saturday Night Live.
Her film career also grew including Superman III, Bloodbath at the House of Death and Mel Brooks' History of the World Part One.
In the early 1990s Pamela took stock of her career as she felt burnt-out doing comedy. She studied psychology at Antioch University before graduating with a PhD in clinical psychology. She is now licensed as a clinical psychologist.
In 2002, Pamela wrote a best selling psychobiography on her husband entitled Billy. This was followed by another book, Bravemouth.
Pamela writes a weekly column for The Guardian entitled Sexual Healing.
Background
Pamela was born in Auckland, New Zealand but grew up in Sydney.
She studied briefly at the University of New South Wales before transferring to Australia's national Institute of Dramatic Art, graduating in 1971.
In 1989 Pamela married Billy Connolly in Fiji. They now have three children together: Daisy, Amy and Scarlett.
She and Billy moved from California to New York recently to be closer to their children who were at college on the East Coast. Pamela intends to start another practice next year.
Trivia
Pamela started practising Buddhism in 1979.
Her sister Leslie is an opera singer in Switzerland.
On Prince Andrew's stag night, Pamela famously hired policewomen's costumes for her, Diana and Sarah Ferguson.
Are you a fan of Pamela and James?
Why not join in the discussion at Pamela & James' Blog page - the home of "Team PamJam"!
Or listen to Pam's interview on Woman's Hour.
Dancing partner
Pamela Stephenson will be dancing with James Jordan.
