JAN Jack was born in Berkshire, and came to roost in Basingstoke in 1981.

A secretary for 32 years, she worked in a number of Basingstoke companies. In 2006, she started stand-up comedy and a year later founded Basingstoke’s Comedy Club, Laughter-House. With a big push from her husband, she waved goodbye to office life in 2008 to concentrate on Laughter-House.

Six years later she’s also a trainer and inspirational speaker.

In 2013, Jan was the mentor for BBC South’s Comic Relief project Stand Up If You Dare and was filmed at Laughter-House giving rookie comedians guidance and tips.

Jan also runs comedy/humour workshops for individuals and businesses – which led to her being nominated for a 2013 Inspire Award for Best New Business.

She lives in Beggarwood, with her husband Alastair.

1. Who was your childhood hero and why? Val Doonican. He seemed so kind. I used to dream he was my dad!

2. What is your most precious possession, and why is it important to you? An album of ancient family photographs put together by my elderly auntie. It’s very special.

3. What was the first record/CD you bought? Noddy Goes to Toyland. I bought it with my pocket money.

4. What is the radio/television show you hate to miss? Occasionally I’ll watch Live at the Apollo to snaffle good comedy acts for my club.

5. What is your favourite film? Brassed Off.

6. What is your pet hate? I go into orbit if I find out someone’s telling me porkies.

7. What are you reading at the moment? My nose is currently pointing in the direction of two comedy handbooks and The End of Eve by Ariel Gore.

8. If you were choosing a last meal, what would it be? Does a Lindt bunny count as a meal? If not, then scampi and chips with tartar sauce.

9. If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be? Lillie Langtry.

10. If you had a time machine, where would it take you? Back to the 1800s. They used to make wigs out of buffalo hair. I’d like to have been around to see that.

11. If you were stranded on a desert island what luxury would you choose to have with you? Does my husband count as a luxury? If he’s not allowed it would be my mp3 player with my audio books on.

12. What sports team do you support? I don’t.

13. What was your first job? I was a secretary in a chartered accountant. They sacked me after four months. It made my day.

14. If you could take over someone’s job for the day, whose job would you choose? Adele’s. It must be wonderful to be able to sing like her. What a talented lady.

15. What worries you the most? As a society, we’re losing our values. Too much dishonesty and so much emphasis on looks. It’s so wrong.

16. What is your proudest moment? Apart from getting married 16 years ago (the best decision I ever made), it was speaking at the Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year Awards earlier this year.

17. What would you like your epitaph to be? That was fun – what’s next?

18. What’s your guilty pleasure? A Lindt bunny. Or three.

19. What one thing could change society for the better? No more corruption.

20. What three words best describe you? Kind, loyal, bonkers. That’s my husband’s choice – he’s in trouble now.