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Sally Phillips Live at the Barbican: Comedy, Campaigning & Colin Firth Confessions

How To Fail with Elizabeth Day

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Recorded live at London’s iconic Barbican Theatre, this episode of How To Fail features the brilliant Sally Phillips — queen of British comedy and lovable scene-stealer in Bridget Jones as the unforgettable Shazza.

From Smack The Pony, Miranda, The Thick of It and Veep, Sally has helped shape the comedy landscape. Off screen, she’s just as impactful — a passionate advocate for disability rights and the neurodivergent community, inspired by her son Olly, who has Down syndrome.

But despite her cult status, Sally reveals she’s never felt like a ‘serious’ actress. We dive into her Clown School obsession, imposter syndrome, and... her perplexing non-romance with Colin Firth. (Justice for Shazza!)

00:00 Intro
02:39 Bridget Jones Memories
07:26 Veep and Women in Comedy
09:19 Smack the Pony: A Revolutionary Comedy
10:45 Clown School and Its Life Lessons
12:55 Failures of Courage
19:06 Reflections on Marriage and Divorce
22:55 Reflecting on Mutual Support
23:16 Aspirations of a Serious Actress
24:14 Comedy vs. Serious Roles
24:50 Auditioning for Terrence Davis
30:56 Embracing Weaknesses and Comedy
32:57 Ethical Review of NIPT
36:16 Ollie's Impact and Parenting
43:25 Ollie's Adventures and Lessons

Over on Failing with Friends, Sally answers questions from the live audience at the Barbican: they discuss red and green flags in partners, and what Hugh Grant is REALLY like and whether Sally and Renée Zellweger really are friends or whether she might just be making it up?

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20 Comments

@Helen_goring 4 months ago

Imagine having a friend like Sally. She’s like pure sunshine!

@tysona23 1 year ago

I think Sally should go out snd do ' The Sally Phillips experience ' I'm sure thousands of people would want to see her do it. Shes sooo funny .It's never too late Sally. Just do it ❤

@CarrieM-qx3yy 1 year ago

I couldn't love Sally Phillips any more if I tried. Far out she's a breath of fresh air- so smart, so funny, so humane

@kirkwoodward8443 8 months ago

Sally Phillips is wonderful beyond words, but credit where credit is due, Elizabeth Day does just a splendid job with this. What a fine interview - memorable.

@laughingface1 5 months ago

What a wonderful session. I loved every bit of it. As a mother of a young woman with Down’s Syndrome. I can related to all her stories. We joke that Rachel never met a stranger. Her two older sisters are much better and compassionate people because they had Rachel as a sister. We need more people with Down’s Syndrome not less!

@kimhewer1479 3 weeks ago

oh my goodness, she brought me to tears 😢 to think that someone like Sally who I admire, who is so talented, beautiful and intelligent could feel like I do. Just want to give her a hug. thank you for being so open Sally xxx

@danielab.3995 1 year ago

She's so amazing ❤. I knew I'd like the real person as well, but I actually love her and wish I could give her a hug...

@oliviagiles 1 year ago (edited)

Her in Jam and Jerusalem fucking GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cried when she cried because she is so honest and beautiful, I love her.

@montessoriextensions 3 months ago

She somehow is so elegant and so funny at the same time, I don't know anyone who can balance those two things like she does!

@Victoria_2005 1 year ago

The best actor in the world would not divulge such depth in an interview. A director needs to cast Sally in a drama, for goodness sakes

@hotjavacool 2 weeks ago

Ms Phillip's emotional depth is extraordinary. That's probably what makes her such a good performer. And raconteuse. As she is here.

@Wontoofree-k4n 11 months ago

Sally Phillips is one of my favourite people. That is all.

@krina_makes_books 8 months ago

Smack the Pony was the French and Saunders of my generation. I saw them filming it in a shoe shop in Ealing Broadway which was very exciting for me at about 15. Sally has always come across as a really genuine person. I remember seeing her and Olly on Something Special with Mr Tumble, so interesting to hear she’s also been to clown school.

@isi-on5yb 1 year ago

I have never related to someone so much! - nor learnt as much about how to move on regardless. Couldnt have come at a more opportune time. Thank you to you both.

@jten6632 1 year ago

What a great interview/podcast, so much because it’s a very honest, unguarded conversation.

@kimhewer1479 3 weeks ago

Sally Phillips is so great ❤ lovely interview xxx

@rosella1919 4 months ago (edited)

Sally is gorgeous. We women, who have watched her since STP, admire her so much. My teenage daughters and I LOVED Smack the Pony. Every week we laughed ourselves stupid. I still think of the boring song at the end, and sing it to myself whenever I hear a boring song, which in 2026, is often. It was comedy gold. 🤣