Debra Stephenson – Comedian, Impressionist
Debra Stephenson - Comedian, Impressionist
Debra Stephenson began entertaining, professionally, as a comedy impressionist at the age of thirteen, working in cabaret clubs, holiday centres and appearing in pantomimes and summer season. In 1987 she appeared on BBC Television's "Opportunity Knocks" getting through to the All-Winner's Final broadcast live from the London Palladium.Later, continuing as a stand-up comedy impressionist, she switched to what 'alternative comedy'. Gigs at The London Comedy Store and The Green Room in Manchester followed her success in 1990 at the Edinburgh, as well as some voices for "Spitting Image".
At eighteen, Debra joined the Manchester based rave band, "Rhythm Quest" as lead singer, touring with the group in Scotland and the North of England and featured as lead vocalist on cult club smash "When I get to Heaven" by John Rob's band "Sensuround". In1993 Debra trained as an actress at the Manchester Metropolitan University School of Drama, whilst at the same time continuing to work as a voice-over artist and actress/impressionist on radio and TV.Since graduating, she has had a busy time! Firstly appearing in several episodes of ITV's "Reckless", starring Robson Green, before becoming a regular in children's ITV comedy drama "Cone Zone" and subsequently co-presenting CBBC's "The Friday Zone". A good role in "Midsomer Murders" followed, and she was soon cast as a running character, Diane in the successful BBC drama, "Playing the Field" which ran for the next three years. Cast as Shell Dockley in ITV's "Bad Girls“, Debra was twice nominated for the National Television Awards Most Popular Actress, as well as winning the TV QuickAward for Best Actress.In contrast to the "Bad Girls“ role, she have also found time to fit in lead roles to my TV dramas, such as ITV's Catharine Cookson drama "A Dinner of herbs" and "Spooks" (BBC1), as well as starring in two series of BBC1 sketch show "TV to go". Debra also took the female lead in the ITV Pantomime "Dick Whittington" .
Other TV appearances include "This Morning", " GMTV", "The Frank Skinner Show" "The Brian Conley Show", "Lilly Savage's Blankety Blank", "It's only TV but I like it" and "Stars in their Eyes Celebrity Special" and was the winner with an impersonation of Kylie Minogue.After completing work on the fifth series of Bad Girls, Debra was offered the role of Frankie Baldwin in Coronation Street, but has still found time to compete in 'Celebrity Fame Acadamy', release a solo album and fitness DVD and take part in Channel 4's 'Friday night Project', as well as do some comedy impressions and singing in 'Soap Queens' at the Blackpool Opera House.
