Vikki Stone is an award-winning songstress, actress and funny lady, billed as one of the fastest rising stars of British comedy.
She’s probably best known for her ‘Philip Schofield Song’ about her crush on TV’s ‘silver fox’, listed by Huffington Post as one of the Top 10 Viral Videos of 2012.
Vikki is also the face and voice of the new Cadbury Crispello ‘lovely little naughtiness’ online campaign. Cadbury Crispello launched an open competition for the nation’s cheekiest stories to be submitted via the Cadbury’s Facebook page.
Vikki has composed funny songs around the 3 winners’ stories to be performed at live gigs in their hometowns – Sheffield, Poole and Newcastle.
I caught up with Vikki yesterday to chat about cheekiness, chocolate and dog beards!
What was the cheekiest story you heard?
The three winners are obviously my faves but the next best was a woman who wrote in about leaving fake tan in her boyfriend’s moisturiser and then videoing the results! It’s now on YouTube.
Watch Vicki’s Fake Tan Video
Tell us something cheeky you did.
I’m always being a bit cheeky, it’s part of showbiz I think, constantly trying to get away with stuff. I made a video called The Philip Schofield Song and I thought I’d ask him if he wanted to be in it and he actually said yes. I even managed to persuade him to stroke a pair of pants with my name on them!
Is this Philip Schofield obsession real?
I’d like to pretend it’s not but it’s a real obsession! He’s just someone who’s been around for what feels like my entire life.
One of my mum friends admits she’s started fancying CBeebies presenters.
I’m not a mother (even though I do get jibed for saying I’m the mother of my dog) but I can imagine that. Actually I’m doing a show for CBBC.
How will you tailor it for kids? You’re known for being quite rude!
There’s a live event called Comedy for Kids, at the Cornbury Festival in Oxford, where they use well-known comedians to do a kids’ set and then do an adults’ show later. I’m basically a completely different persona when I play for children. My kids songs are definitely kids songs.
What were you like as a kid?
I was a complete nightmare! I was one of those stage school, jazz hands children. Every picture of me is on stage, trying to steal the limelight!
How do you juggle so many creative hats?
Doing what I do, I think you end up doing a million different things, so it’s never just being a comedian or a performer. I still even do things like arrange songs for choirs. I keep my hand in, just do anything and everything people ask. I tend to say yes to things and then worry about it later. Of course there are those moments like when someone says Vicki, can you horse ride? And I’m like yes I can horse ride and next thing I’m on a horse in the middle of the field thinking s%it!
How has social media shaped your career?
I think it’s definitely part of your job these days. But even if I wasn’t in the business, I would be a social media addict. Even my dog has a Twitter account! I like being the one to find something funny and share it with people, whether or not I make it myself or whether it’s something I’ve spotted online.
Such as?
Like, you know those cat beards that people were putting pictures of online? I tried to make a cat beard but my cat wasn’t having it. I managed to get my neighbour’s dog to do it and posted a pic on Twitter. Then a guy from the Metro emailed me and said, I really like your photo can we use it? The next day, I’m in the Metro with this picture of a dog beard. Vikki Stone, leader of the dog beard movement. That’s the power of social media.
Who are your inspirations?
Caitlin Moran is fantastic. I love her voice, it’s really current and inspirational and funny. Obviously Victoria Wood has been a huge influence from an early age, although I don’t seek to emulate her. Also Tim Minchin is amazing and growing up I loved Fawlty Towers. I love that big physical comedy and how it’s a set-up that starts small and then the stakes get really high and the situations get manic.
How much Cadbury’s Crispello have you eaten? I won’t judge.
A lot! There’s been a constant flow of Crispello coming in and out of my house. It’s a great way to sweeten the neighbours.
Catch Vikki Stone at the Udderbelly Festival, South Bank Centre, SE1 next week (Jun 19) where she promises to give out Cadbury Crispello! She’s also playing at the Edinburgh Festival this summer.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/CadburyUK to keep up with the Nation’s Cheekiest Stories tour and share your lovely little naughtiness!
A truly funny lady and love that she’s making something for CBBC whose comedy portfolio is insanely good! Our kids deserve quality comedy! Thanks for introducing her. I look forward to showing off her talents on Wonderful Women Wednesday…now want a crispello for breakfast too.
Hehe Vikki was a good laugh and her videos do crack me up. I would love to catch some of her kids comedy with the babes sometime. Looking forward to your WWW post too!