THE brilliant comedian Shappi Khorsandi is at Theatre Royal tonight with her brand show Mistress and Misfit.

Star of 2017’s series of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here, Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News for You and Q.I., Shappi presents England's unsung heroine, Emma, Lady Hamilton.

For too many years she has been known as just Nelson's mistress, a bit of a harlot (you get one job in a brothel and bang goes your reputation).

Women's lib wasn't a thing in Georgian times.

Emma moved mountains to haul herself from scullery maid to Lady Hamilton ... and yes, she occasionally danced naked on tables to get ahead in life, but who hasn't?

As a fellow naked dancer on tables, Shappi raises a glass to the woman England betrayed.

“We were both artist’s models. She modelled for great artists, I modelled for GCSE students in Tower Hamlets. I have never worked in a brothel, but I have had moments that I would only tell you about on stage or when very drunk. I will be sharing some of those stories in Mistress and Misfit," says Shappi.

“I relate Emma’s life to modern women and, like all stand ups, I draw people into the world as I see it so it’s still a very personal show.

“When you’re a stand-up, people have come to see you and share the experience with you. They can read a book about Emma, Lady Hamilton, but the way I tell her story draws people in to my stand-up, which I hope is why they bought a ticket in the first place!

“I was fascinated by Emma. She was really clever and compassionate and very hard done by. She was also a master of re-invention and a fantastically creative person.

“I initially tried to write a novel about Emma, but it was too hard, so I thought I’d do a show about it instead. That was easier and funnier. I relate Emma’s life to modern women and, like all stand ups, I draw people into the world as I see it so it’s still a very personal show.”