Exclusive interview by Andrew Brown
Acclaimed comedian Tez Ilyas is proud of his Lancashire roots.
Born in Blackburn in the mid 1980s, the star of Channel 4 TV comedy sketch series The Tez O’Clock Show looked back on his childhood in the Lancashire town earlier this year when he published ‘The Secret Diary of a British Muslim aged 13 3/4’.
The publication looks into his life as a teenager growing up in Blackburn through the late 90s and into the early noughties.
He said: “I really wanted to write this book to give people a trip down memory lane and to give a snapshot of what life was like as a young British Asian Muslim in 90s Britain. So much has been said and written about us, maybe it’s time they heard from us?”
As a young man, he packed his cases and headed for the bright lights of London, earning himself a job with the Civil Service.
Working hard during the day he spent nights engaging his passion for stand up comedy, performing in the city’s various comedy clubs, steadily growing his audience and honing his act.
Eventually he quit the Civil Service to indulge his dream job as a stand-up comedian, and packed his cases again – this time going full circle and heading back up north for the brighter lights of Blackburn.
It was a decision that he has not regretted since, going on to become one of the most celebrated stars in British comedy.
He was named in the BBC New Talent Hot List 2017 and the Chortle Best Breakthrough Nominee 2017 and has a string of TV credits to his name such as Live At The Apollo and Mock The Week.
He is delighted to be back at home in Blackburn again, when not out on the road touring.
Speaking over the phone, he said: “I am Blackburn born and bred! I am doing this interview from home in Blackburn now.
“I was in London when I quit my day job and found my calling in comedy, and moved back to Blackburn.
“Everyone loves their home town. I have happy memories of Blackburn, and I have loved being close to my niece and nephew.
“There is nothing like your Mum’s cooking too!
“The food places are so nice up here in Blackburn.
“Pound for pound, Blackburn’s restaurants and food places are the best in the country. I’m saying that honestly, I don’t have any shares in them!”
On Wednesday, 6th October, he will be on stage at the 10th anniversary Southport Comedy Festival, performing in a large marquee at the beautiful Victoria Park.
This year’s Festival takes place 1st-17th October, with a stellar line-up including: Russell Kane, Rich Hall, Reginald D Hunter, Jo Caulfield, Tom Stade, Ed Byrne, Mark Thomas, Paul Sinha, Luisa Omielan, Hal Cruttenden, Geoff Norcott, Steve Royle, Helen Bauer, Troy Hawke, Katie Tracey and David Eagle.
After 18 months of lockdowns and a distinct lack of live comedy, Tez Ilyas is loving being back on stage again with The Vicked Tour – and so are his audiences.
He said: “I am really looking forward to performing at this year’s Southport Comedy Festival!
“I have been to Southport before, when I was a kid. I have really happy memories of Southport.
“We enjoyed a big family day out there when I was aged nine or ten, when we all piled into a few cars and drove there.”
As a stand-up comedian, he is thrilled to be back out on the road again, after a bleak year and a half for performers which saw last year’s Southport Comedy Festival sadly postponed.
He said: “The whole country stopped, not just comedians. It has been a tough time.
“I am really enjoying being back out and performing. The audiences so far have been amazing.
“There is nothing like seeing live comedy, and being in the room when it’s happening.
“With the audiences so far, you can really tell that they have missed events like this, going out to stand-up comedy nights with their family and their friends.
“I love the festival vibe of this year’s Southport Comedy Festival, performing in a big marquee.
“I have played at a few festivals already, such as Kendal Calling, Reading, Leeds, and others.
“This will be my first gig in a marquee, it will be a new experience for me.”
In 2015 Tez Ilyas achieved phenomenal success with his debut stand-up hour TEZ Talks. A sell-out run at the Soho Theatre and his own Radio 4 series based on the show followed, with a second series quickly being recommissioned.
In 2016 his highly anticipated follow up show Made in Britain went on to sell out every single performance at the Edinburgh Fringe and gained spectacular critical acclaim, with a smash hit nationwide tour in 2017. His third show Teztify once again delivered a spectacularly powerful, provocative and brilliantly funny hour of topical stand-up, delivering to packed out audiences night after night.
Tez has appeared on shows including: Live at The Apollo (BBC Two), The Last Leg (C4), Mock the Week (BBC Two), Live From the BBC (BBC Two), The Chris Ramsey Show (Comedy Central), Man Like Mobeen (BBC Three), Live from the Comedy Store (Comedy Central), Kevin Hart’s Live from Montreal (LOL Network) and The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice (C4).
In 2019 he fronted his own Channel 4 satirical sketch series The Tez O’Clock Show to huge critical acclaim.
He has an important message for anyone thinking of attending Southport Comedy Festival, or any of his other shows in his nationwide The Vicked Tour.
He said: “Live comedy is back!
“Please come down and enjoy yourselves.
“I am playing lots of gigs in the North West this autumn, including Southport Comedy Festival on 6th October, but also in Chester on 23rd September, Chorley on 24th September is sadly sold out, Kendal on 13th October, Liverpool on 17th October, Lancaster on 17th November, Carlisle on 18th November, Blackburn on 27th November and Manchester on 28th November and 5th December. I am all over the North West.
“Please come and support the Southport Comedy Festival!
“We have been in lockdown for the past 18 months. Please come out and have a laugh and enjoy live comedy again!”
- For tickets to see Tez Ilyas at Southport Comedy Festival, please visit: southportcomedyfestival.com
- For tickets to see Tez Ilyas in The Vicked Tour please visit: tezilyas.com
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
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