is a fan-favourite a regular on the comedy circuit, and is currently headlining her own tour, The One Like, but despite she doesn’t feel comfortable saying she’s made it and has big plans for her next move.
The 43-year-old is planning on writing her own sitcom, which might finally change her mindsight.
‘That line “I’ve made it” doesn’t sit right with me,’ she strongly proclaimed to Metro.co.uk.
‘I don’t want to be comfortable. I don’t think anyone should become complacent.
‘There are moments where I’ve felt the overwhelming pleasure of joy but I’ve not made it.
‘When I’m on tour and get a standing ovation, or someone tells me: “You helped get me through lockdown with your funny videos on social media,” or I’m working on a pie campaign with are those moments.’
There’s a reason creating a sitcom is so appealing to Judi: ‘I want to be the one making the decisions. I want to be working on my own shows.
‘I could see myself with a chat show, and I’ve got many ideas for a sitcom. I’m writing a memoir at the moment too.’
As well as focusing on her own career goals, Judi is also concerned with the bigger picture and who she can inspire. Just yesterday, she spent thirty minutes offering advice to a ‘gentleman in Tesco’ who informed her that he wanted to pursue comedy. Knowing how difficult it can be she gave him some of her precious time.
‘Opportunities that are being given to me like the ethnicity awards and being on the all-Black panel for Loose Women I’m happy to take as I feel like they will make a difference and, also, I just genuinely enjoy it.
‘Being a Black woman, being a plus-size woman, being a woman over the age of 40 on daytime TV – there are so many different things that I am able to represent,’ she explained.
‘For me, that’s one of the greatest things. People thank me and that’s what pushes me forward.’
Being on Loose Women has given her the chance to enter people’s living rooms every week, and it’s not something she takes for granted especially as she only switched careers in her thirties. Prior to show business, she was busy gaining a Masters in Social Work.
‘I spent my first Loose Women pay cheque on bills,’ she admitted.
‘I didn’t need to buy myself a treat because for me the treat was actually being on the show and meeting these phenomenal women, who’ve taught me so much about working hard.
‘It’s amazing that someone like myself who is either a single parent or looks like me or has a desire to do something at a later age like I did can feel inspired.
‘Before doing comedy and getting my job on Loose Women I remember just getting to a point in my life where it was like I might as well try it.
‘The biggest thing that stops us from doing things is fear, but I didn’t let it stop me.’
With her busy schedule, being a single mum to two children, and her tendency to indulge in supermarket chats with perfect strangers Judi has to remind herself to take time off.
‘I’ve had to learn to take breaks.
‘When you’re busy you don’t want to let anybody down. When you love what you do, and you know how blessed and privileged you are to do it, it can be hard.
‘There’s no consistency with regards to time off your work – at 4am in the morning I could get an email, or I’ll film at different times.
‘That’s made me realise how important it is to carve out the breaks where I can so that I can give my best because you are really giving yourself in this job.
‘I think that I’m just at a stage where I’m learning how to balance.’
In fact, Judi, who is on tour until February, even finds herself working in her sleep: ‘I’ve woken up so many times to write down a joke that’s just come to me.’
With a MasterChef win and a stint behind her, Judi’s latest project with Higgidy Pies makes perfect sense.
She spent time with the brand’s culinary chef Jordan Kerridge which was a treat for cooking enthusiast Judi, who sampled the ‘beautiful pies’. Her favourites included the chicken and sage roast pie, and spinach, feta and pine nut pie.
‘I just love the way cooking and food brings people together. I love the mixing of my British and Jamaican heritage. That’s that’s how I’ve grown up. That’s what food is to me,’ she said.
‘It’s my way of showing love. I love coming back from a busy week and then making a bulk of my kids’ favourite food and sitting down with them and breaking bread.’
Judi Love is working with Higgidy to promote their mouth-watering pie range. The pies are easy to find at major retailers including, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Tesco, Ocado and Asda and make the perfect hearty dinner this Autumn.
