Sue Perkins

Susan Elizabeth "Sue" Perkins (born 22 September 1969) is an English comedian, broadcaster, actress and writer, born in East Dulwich, London. Originally coming to prominence through her comedy partnership with Mel Giedroyc in Mel and Sue, she has since become best known as a radio broadcaster and TV presenter, notably of The Great British Bake Off.

Perkins was ranked sixth in The Independent on Sunday's 2014 Rainbow List and has been in the list every year since 2008.

Early life and education

Perkins was born on 22 September 1969 in south London, where she grew up with her two younger siblings and parents. Her father worked for a local car dealer and her mother was employed as a secretary. She was educated at Croham Hurst School, a nearby independent school for girls in Surrey, at the same time as the former BBC Breakfast News presenter Susanna Reid. She later studied English at New Hall (now Murray Edwards College) at the University of Cambridge, graduating in 1990. While at Cambridge, she was a member of the Footlights, where she met Mel Giedroyc. She was Footlights president during the academic year 1991/92.