"I'm in my epic era" – Judi Love on life, labels, and letting go of shame
She’s winning over crowds on stage and championing those struggling off it too.
What’s the secret behind Judi Love’s fresh confidence? The entertainer holds nothing back as she opens up about life’s curveballs and finding power in vulnerability.
Some journeys are a masterclass in resilience. Judi Love, the infectious Loose Women star and stand-up comedian, knows all about it.
Not so long ago, she was a single mum balancing bills and the weight of expectations.
Now, at 46, she’s thriving, owning the spotlight and her story. Her solo tour is hitting venues across the UK and includes two nights in New York.
But, as she shares from Plymouth, things weren’t always so sparkling. “I remember the days when I struggled with bills and debts and being a single parent. I felt like, is this something I’m going to be judged for?... Because there is a sense of shame and there shouldn’t be. We need to remove that shame factor, because these things contribute to bad emotional, mental health.”
From quiet struggles to epic self-acceptance
Judi’s road to self-assurance wasn’t simple or straight. She laughs off the idea that anyone is just “born confident”.
As she explains, “I don’t think anybody’s confident straight off the bat. It comes from life lessons, sorrow, joy. It comes from the complexities that life throws at you.”
Confidence, she says, is never constant or universal: “Confidence is in the individual and it changes in the moment. I could be confident on stage, but not jogging. I might be confident meeting somebody new, but I might not be confident making a speech at an emotional family event, you know?”
Her honesty cuts through the glitz, showing just how many of us carry hidden worries.
For years, she struggled in silence, convinced she must always be strong.
“For years, when I was going through my own issues, I didn’t speak to a soul. I carried the mantra of, 'I’m a strong woman, I can get through this.' But you know what? Being vulnerable doesn’t make you any less powerful. It makes you more powerful.”
Challenging labels and celebrating women at every age
Midlife crisis? Not for Judi. She’s allergic to labels.
“You get to 40 and people want to write you off. At 40, 50, 60, we’re young, vibrant women.” The idea of ‘midlife’ makes her grin.
“I’ve been invited to events about 'midlife'. Midlife? I’m just in life! I don’t like labels. We’re women. Beautiful goddesses.”
Even talk of being ‘plus size’ feels limiting. “The women I grew up with never had this thing of ‘plus size’. If you had thick thighs, you had thick thighs... You’re automatically pushed into this conversation of representing and to be honest, most times I reject it. I’m not a plus-size person trying to empower people. I am what I am.”
To her, bodies are stories of effort, pleasure, and pride: “This body helped me have two beautiful children. It helps me do a job that I absolutely love. It helps me to exercise. I’ve had great sex in my life. It brings me pleasure and hopefully brings pleasure to others.”
Speaking up for support: tackling shame and fuel poverty
Judi’s platform now extends well beyond laughs. She’s a vocal ambassador for British Gas’s “Pass It On” campaign, highlighting vital grants for people grappling with energy poverty—a reality she knows first-hand.
“I’ve faced fuel poverty and debt... And what’s great is that this grant isn’t just open to British Gas customers. It’s open to anybody, if you meet the criteria. The British Gas Energy Trust also gives over-the-phone advice. It reminds people they have options.”
According to research shared during the campaign, up to 70% of people find it easier to help others than talk about their own problems, and at least 68% feel embarrassed asking for help.
Judi’s message? Drop the shame and open up, because support is out there. “It’s about standing in the light of who you are as a woman, and that as a woman we change.”
Still cheering for Strictly and her community
No article on Judi is complete without mentioning her love for her colleagues at Strictly.
She might not be glued to the latest series, but her heart is with those she’s shared the floor with: “I haven’t watched it, but I want to send all my love to Johannes, Josh and Emma... I’ve worked with them individually on several occasions and they’re so talented. I wish them the best of luck.”
As for Josh: “I send all the love in the world to Josh and hope that he continues to do the best he can.”
What’s next for Judi?
In theatre halls and homes, Judi Love keeps reaching new audiences—one story, one laugh, one act of kindness at a time.
Her “epic era” is just getting started. Who’s to say what labels—or limits—she’ll defy next?
Sources used:
Judi Love recalls 'shame' of struggling to make ends meet and 'worried she'd be judged'
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