Sophie Tinuviel Willan was born on 21 October 1987 in Hounslow, Greater London, and grew up in Bolton, Greater Manchester. She has spoken openly about a difficult childhood, including time spent in the care system, which she has drawn on extensively in her comedy and writing.

She began her career in theatre, co-founding the feminist theatre and cabaret group Eggs Collective, before moving into stand-up. Her breakthrough came with Alma’s Not Normal, a semi-autobiographical BBC Two sitcom she wrote and starred in, which won three BAFTA Television Awards.

In September 2025, the BBC announced Willan as the new host of The Great British Sewing Bee, succeeding Sara Pascoe. She began hosting with the Christmas Celebrity Special in December 2025, continuing into the regular series on BBC One and iPlayer alongside judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young.

Willan is in a relationship with chef Carniel Francis Levy, with whom she welcomed her first child, a son named Elijah, on 30 November 2025.