My favourite things jo brand

The comedian, writer and actress tells Nathalie Whittle about the moments, memories and possessions she treasures the most…

Jo, 61, lives with her husband, Bernie Bourke, in London. they have two daughters, Maisie, 17, and Eliza, 15.

THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY BY RACHEL JOYCE

it’s about a man in his sixties who walks from Devon to berwickupon-tweed to visit a dying friend. it has some lovely moments.

MY FAMILY

in my late teens, i came home from a party and fell asleep with a lit candle by my bed – i woke up to my flat burning down. i had absolutely nothing left, but it taught me how unimportant material possessions are; all you need is your family to be happy.

DEVON

every year, the same group of friends – about 35 of us – meet up there in the same rented cottages surrounding a farmyard. We all cook together and the kids melt into a big feral group – it’s really nice.

GODIVA CHOCOLATE

i think it’s gorgeous. i also like to try to ride a horse through london with no clothes on when i’m eating it, just to get the full experience.

THE BRIDGE

i’m a sucker for scandi-noir and this bbc drama is a real series for our time. it acknowledges that we’re all different, but we all have skills we can contribute to society.

MY STEEL TOE CAP BOOTS

i’ve had them since 1992. i always wear them on tv – goodness knows what people think when i’m on This Morning. every so often, my husband takes them to be resoled and tarted up a bit.