The comedian and writer on overcoming depression, working on death row, and learning to say no

Born in Glasgow in 1974, Susan Calman worked as a corporate lawyer before starting standup comedy in 2006. She won a Scottish Bafta in 2007 for a Channel 4 sketch show, Blowout, and went on to become a regular on TV and radio panel shows. She hosted the podcast Mrs Brightside, co-hosts Carry On Up and has published two books, Cheer Up Love and Sunny Side Up: A Story of Kindness and Joy. She lives in Glasgow with her wife, Lee, and takes her first show in 10 years, Tall Tales, across the UK from 11 September to 20 November.

I look absolutely adorable, a little bit smug even. I’m sporting a beautiful blond bowl cut, and the outfit is quintessential 1970s. When Dad went to London for work, Mum would join him and occasionally visit Harrods to buy me, my sister and my brother something nice, like this jumpsuit. It would have been expensive, so I was only allowed to wear it for special occasions. In fact, this was the only time I wore it. We got our money’s worth in the end, though – I used this picture on the invitation for my 50th birthday party.