Sofie Hagen

Sofie Hagen is a Danish comedian, author, and podcaster whose work on body positivity, sexuality, and the absurdities of modern life has made her one of the most distinctive and honest voices in British comedy. Her books and stand-up combine personal memoir, social commentary, and a fearless willingness to talk about things most people avoid. Born in Copenhagen in 1988, Hagen started performing stand-up in Danish in 2010 before moving to London in 2012. She quickly established herself on the British comedy circuit, winning the Chortle Best Newcomer Award in 2014 and earning five-star Edinburgh Fringe reviews. Her stand-up shows — Bubblewrap, Shimmer Shatter, Dead Baby Frog, The Bumswing, Fat Jokes, and Banglord — have been critically acclaimed sell-outs. She has hosted the Made of Human and Comedians Telling Stuff podcasts, and co-hosted the BBC Radio 4 true crime podcast Bad People with criminal psychologist Julia Shaw. Happy Fat: Taking Up Space in a World That Wants to Shrink You (2019) was her first book — a combination of memoir and social commentary about self-acceptance, fatphobia, and the experience of living in a larger body in a world obsessed with thinness. The book was praised for its honesty, its humour, and its refusal to apologise. Will I Ever Have Sex Again? (2024) explored her experiences with involuntary celibacy, sexual identity, and the challenges of intimacy — another disarmingly honest and funny exploration of a subject most writers would shy away from. Hagen is bisexual and nonbinary, and their openness about their identity and experiences gives their work an authenticity that resonates deeply with audiences who feel seen and understood. The audiobook editions of Hagen's books, read by Hagen, are warm and engaging. Their books and audiobooks are essential for anyone who values comedy that is honest, brave, and unafraid to talk about the things that really matter.