Athena Kugblenu

Athena Kugblenu is a stand-up comedian and writer. She was a member of the BBC Comedy Room 2019/20 and 2020’s recipient of the Felix Dexter Bursary from the BBC. A BBC New Comedian of the Year finalist, she leads with intelligent, edgy, thought-provoking jokes. Her debut solo show, KMT, played the Edinburgh Fringe to 4 and 5-star reviews, as did her 2018 follow-up FOLLOW THE LEADER. Both featured in The Guardian, The Independent and The Telegraph’s best jokes compilations.

She has appeared on RICHARD OSMAN’S HOUSE OF GAMES (BBC 2), MOCK THE WEEK (BBC 2), COMEDY CENTRAL LIVE (CC) and co-presented YESTERDAY, TODAY AND THE DAY BEFORE (Comedy Central).

Athena wrote the script for Upswing and Chamäleon Berlin’s co-collaboration circus project SHOWDOWN, which opened in Berlin in February 2024. Her other writing credits include HORRIBLE HISTORIES, THE RUSSELL HOWARD HOUR, CRONGTON, LATE NIGHT MASH, DARA Ó BRIAIN’S TIME WASTERS, BLANKETY BLANK, HYPOTHETICAL, Radio 4’s BAMESHOW, THE LENNY HENRY SHOW, DEAD RINGERS, THE NEWS QUIZ, NEWSJACK, THE NOW SHOW and she is a lead writer on SKETCHTOPIA. She also contributes to Children’s BBC shows THE AMELIA GETHING COMPLEX, CRACKERJACK and SWASHBUCKLE.

She is a co-host of the hit children’s mystery podcast TRUST OR BUST, as well as a co-host on BBC Radio 4 Extra’s DM’S ARE OPEN. Athena has completed a stand up special for BBC Radio 4 ATHENA KUGBLENU: SHAKING HER CLASS, and hosts her own show on COLOURFUL FM and ATHENA’S CANCEL CULTURE (BBC Radio 4), and regularly co-hosts THE GUILTY FEMINIST podcast and performed with them on their 2019 tour around the UK. She has her own podcast KEEPING ATHENA COMPANY. She has appeared on many other Radio 4 shows including THE NOW SHOW, THE NEWS QUIZ, BAMESHOW, THE MUSEUM OF CURIOSITY and LOOSE ENDS as well as FUNNY KIND OF WORLD and BREAKING THE NEWS on BBC Radio Scotland and THE RADIO FOUR EXTRA COMEDY CLUB. Other credits include THE FUNNY HAHA SURVIVAL GUIDE, BABY SHOWER.

Athena is also a trusted commentator and has penned pieces for The Guardian, Time Out and Stylist Magazine, and makes regular appearances on BBC Radio 5 Live and Talk Radio.

Announced in May 2024 Athena will have 2 books published by Hachette Children’s Group – History’s Most Epic FIBS and History’s Most Epic FAILS.