Barbara Nice will be most recognisable from her appearances as Holy Mary on the all-time comedy classic Peter Kays ‘Phoenix Nights’ as she was, many moons ago discovered by legendary comedian Peter Kay, who then asked her to play Holy Mary in Phoenix Nights. The whole cast reunited in 2015 performing Phoenix Nights Live for 15 nights raising over £5m for Comic Relief.

Connolly has also appeared in Coronation Street, That Peter Kay Thing, Max and Paddy’s Road To Nowhere, Thin Ice and Dead Man Weds. Her four-part series ‘Barbara Nice’ was broadcast in March 2017 as part of BBC Radio 2’s Comedy Showcase.

In 2017 Connolly was awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Years Honours list for services to community arts in the West Midlands.

She brings along a sense of care free comic interaction with her audiences and ‘sharp as a knife’ kitchen sink giggles. For someone who has supported the likes of Peter Kay and Johnny Vegas, Miss Nice has always been a comic with a star headline quality of her own and she is certain to have everyone in the room gasping for breath with laughter.

She’s the Stockport housewife, cleaner to the stars and keen ‘Take a Break’ reader, who has been delighting live comedy audiences for 25 years with her unbridled enthusiasm. She gave up the domestic bliss of tupperware and Pound Stretcher shops for the unpredictability of the comedy world, but no audience is too rowdy for her to handle.

Barbara performs playful, life-affirming shows for all the family. With the affectionate attitude of a playgroup leader at a wild Iggy Pop concert, she is guaranteed to warm the heart of any audience. She has been compared to Victoria Wood, Mrs. Merton, and Julie Walters.

A Barbara Nice performance is guaranteed to get you laughing, leaving the show feeling better than when you went in. With her enviable track record of garnering 5-star reviews and sell-out shows, Barbara doesn’t abuse the audience, she raises everyone’s spirits with love and support, and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and a spring in your step.

Having supported comedians Johnny Vegas and Peter Kay on tour in the past, Barbara Nice is a circuit headline act in her own right, as well as being one of the most experienced comperes in the country. She has also performed solo sh

In a smash hit audition, Barbara wowed the judges with her humour and eccentric style on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, in 2019. Tottering onto the stage in a leopard-print dress and with several handbags, Connolly’s loveable antics, bubbling with energy had the audience cracking up, before she launched herself onto the judge’s table in a mini-crowd surf, that had the judges applauding and punching the air in delight.

Her audition was such a success, the judges gave Barbara their seal of approval, and she went on to the semi-finals; “Feeling on top of the world, cause I’ve just gone through to the next round, which is a belter. The thing now is I’ve got to think of something even better to do. Get thinking, Barbara!”

“You are a comedy whirlwind. Everything was funny. I felt like tonight we watched as a star was born” David Walliams

“Hypnotising in the funniest way.  I think you’re fabulous” Alesha Dixon

“Every single word that came out of your mouth was hysterical. Genius” Amanda Holden

Her hysterical Semi-Final performance, which was seen by 8 million people, saw her emerge from the audience in her usual unconventional way, cracking jokes with the audience, using them as a temporary cloakroom for her various props, and interacting good naturedly with the judges.

This compassionate manner has brought her huge popularity at shows across the country, where people watching feel gently involved. She finished her performance with her now infamous stage dive, helped along by Ant & Dec, which the audience loved.

“You’re good old fashioned entertainment” Alesha Dixon

“I have a feeling the public are going to love you after that” Simon Cowell

Television & film:

• as Barbara Nice – Britain’s Got Talent – ITV – 2019
• as Barbara Nice – Lorraine – ITV – 2019
• as Barbara Nice – Eaten By Lions – Mecca Films – 2018
• Janice Connolly – Opening Doors with Women & Theatre – Documentary – 2017
• Dinner Lady – The Johnny and Inel Show – CCBC – 2013
• Sister Mary – In with the Flynns – BBC1 – 2011-2012
• Janice Connolly – Made in Birmingham: Reggae Punk Bhangra – Documentary – 2010
• Sheila Wheeler / Dolly Gartside – Coronation Street – ITV – 2004-2009
• Janice Connolly – Stars on the Street – Documentary – 2009
• Mrs Wilson – Lunch Monkeys – BBC3 – 2009
• Holy Mary – Max & Paddy’s Road to Nowhere – Channel 4 – 2004
• Holy Mary – Phoenix Nights – Channel 4 – 2001-2002

“She doesn’t just blur the gap between audience and performer she obliterates it” Edinburgh Evening News

“She’s on the road to comic stardom” The Times