Sophie Willan's real-life Bolton childhood experience with drug addiction that inspired hit BBC show

On paper, Sophie Willan’s hit BBC show Alma’s Not Normal does not read as your every day, roll on the floor laughing type of comedy.

The semi-autobiographical show sees Sophie take on the central role of Alma, who is trying to support her drug addict mother all while turning to escorting in a bid to earn more than her weekly amount of Universal Credit so she can become an actor.

Set in and around Sophie’s hometown of Bolton, the show has been incredibly well-received - earning glowing five star reviews and a BAFTA win for Comedy Writing.

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But it’s been far from an overnight success - it's been years in the making and something that Sophie, 34, has been determined to use as a platform that doesn't shy away from subjects often seen as taboo.

Not afraid to peel back the layers of life, her stand up shows, like Alma’s Not Normal, have touched on the brazen realities of growing up in care, dealing with a mother with a heroin addiction and being a working class female from the north.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News in 2018, Sophie explained : “My mum was a drug addict. She’s not a character you would expect to love on camera. But she is lovable and funny.

“A lot of what I try to do is break down stereotypes with comedy. That’s what I know. It’s my world. I’ve drawn on my own experience.

“There is a lot of negative language surrounding mental health and I wanted to bring a bright, colourful and optimistic perspective on that.”

In 2018, Sophie was the first recipient of the BBC’s Caroline Aherne Bursary where she was awarded £5,000 to support development of her work, alongside mentorship and guidance while working on a