AN AWARD-WINNING impressionist has revealed she considered giving up on comedy during the pandemic before landing her dream role.

Jess Robinson is a voice artist on Spitting Image, having voiced the likes of Adele, Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift, Ivanka Trump and more.

But the performer, who lives in Hove, told The Argus Podcast she was close to throwing in the towel on her comedy career before getting the job during lockdown.

“I was having a big crisis,” she said. “I think lots of people looked at their lives during lockdown and thought, ‘what am I doing, who am I?’.

“Performing is very stressful sometimes, so when that stress had gone, you think maybe this is quite nice to have to stress or worry of having to create a new show or worrying about any tickets will be sold.”

The 39-year-old said landing a role on the satirical puppet show Spitting Image was a dream come true.

“It’s the pinnacle of an impressionists career,” she said.

“I felt so desperate to be seen for it and I worked so hard on all of the voices and auditions. Every fibre of me really wanted it, so to get it was amazing.

“The best bit has been being in the studio and seeing the puppets and how the puppeteers bring these crazy, latex puppets to life.”

The Argus: Impressionist Jess Robinson Impressionist Jess Robinson

Jess also revealed that Spitting Image will be taking to the stage in the West End in 2023.

“I’ve always wanted to be in the West End, so finally, I won’t be, but my voice will be,” she added.

The performer, who also hosts the award-winning Stars In Your Ears podcast, said moving to Hove during lockdown was another saving grace.

“I wouldn’t have wanted to be stuck anywhere else, apart from possibly the Bahamas,” she said.

“I find it so different to living in London. Everybody is friendly and I feel like I could literally walk down the street dressed as a clown and nobody would look twice. Everyone is so accepting.”

Jess, who reached the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2017, is set to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival later this year, and even hinted at some shows closer to home.

“I might be doing some previews of a brand new show, which I haven’t quite written yet, at the Brighton Festival – so watch this space,” she said.

The full episode of The Argus Podcast featuring Jess is available now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.