Tez Ilyas

{{Infobox comedian

| name = Tez Ilyas

| native_name = {{nq|تہذ الیاس}}

| native_name_lang = pnb

| image = Tez Ilyas, 2015.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Ilyas in 2015

| pseudonym =

| birth_name = Mohammed Tehzeeb IlyasEngland & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|4|8|df=y}}

| birth_place = Blackburn, Lancashire, England

| spouse = {{marriage|Shy Ilyas|2022}}

| medium = Stand-up

| nationality = British

| active = 2010–present

| genre = Observational humour, Satire

| subject = Islamic humour, Islamophobia, Islam in the United Kingdom, Social integration

| website = {{URL|http://www.tezilyas.com/}}

| footnotes =

}}

Mohammed Tehzeeb Ilyas ({{langx|pnb|محمد تہذیب الیاس}}; born 8 April 1983), popularly known as "Tez" Ilyas, is a British

stand-up comedian. He is best known for starring in the BBC Three comedy, Man Like Mobeen and presenting the satirical comedy programme, The Tez O'Clock Show on Channel 4.

Early life

Ilyas was born on 8 April 1983 to a Pakistani Punjabi Muslim family in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.{{cite news |last=Cooper|first=Lydia|url=http://www.londoncalling.com/features/tez-ilyas-interview|title=Tez Ilyas Interview|publisher=Laugh Out London comedy club|date=31 January 2016|accessdate=1 April 2016}} His family originates from Jhelum in Pakistan.{{cite news |last=Pullen|first=Tess|url=http://www.nouse.co.uk/2015/07/27/edinburgh-fringe-2015-an-interview-with-tez-ilyas/|title=Edinburgh Fringe 2015: An interview with Tez Ilyas|newspaper=Nouse|date=27 July 2015|accessdate=1 April 2016}}{{cite tweet|user=tezilyas|number=1511485476955426823|title=Jhelum actually}}

His parents divorced when he was a child.

He started his career as a civil servant after studying biochemistry at Lancaster University where he also completed a master's degree. He then got a graduate job in the civil service in London.

Career

Ilyas fell into comedy after googling online writing courses and completing a week-long open mic workshop before becoming a comedian in 2010.

In June 2015, Ilyas made a short film, The Fast and the Fool as part of the British Muslim Comedy series- five short films by Muslim comedians commissioned by the BBC to be released on BBC iPlayer.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p02tjkls/british-muslim-comedy-tez-ilyas-the-fast-and-the-fool|title=BBC iPlayer - British Muslim Comedy - Tez Ilyas: The Fast and the Fool|publisher=BBC iPlayer|date=18 June 2015|accessdate=1 April 2016}}{{cite news |last=Badat|first=Hafeeza|url=http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/13343398.British_Muslim_Comedy_Takes_Over_BBC_iPlayer/|title=British Muslim Comedy Takes Over BBC iPlayer|publisher=Asian Image|date=19 June 2015|accessdate=1 April 2016}} Ilyas goes through the day in the life of a fasting Muslim and shows how he copes with the stresses and strains of an ordinary day in the office during Ramadan.

In July 2015, Ilyas performed at an Eid Special Comedy Night at The Comedy Store in London.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/03/halol-can-uk-have-laugh-about-islam|title=HaLOL: can the UK have a laugh about Islam?|magazine=New Statesman|date=10 March 2015|accessdate=1 April 2016}}{{cite news |last=Rahim|first=Sameer|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/comedy/comedy-reviews/11750616/HaLOL-Comedy-Night-Comedy-Store-review-challenging.html|title=HaLOL Comedy Night, Comedy Store, review: 'challenging'|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=21 July 2011|accessdate=1 April 2016}} In December of the same year, he performed at BBC Asian Network's special comedy night, celebrating 50 years of Asian programmes on the BBC with a special comedy night in Birmingham.{{cite news |url=http://www.asianimage.co.uk/leisure/whats_on/14094945.Special_comedy_night_to_feature_Tez_Ilyas__Guz_Khan__Shaista_Aziz_and_Aditi_Mittal/?ref=mr&lp=15|title=Special comedy night to feature Tez Ilyas, Guz Khan, Shaista Aziz and Aditi Mittal|publisher=Asian Image|date=21 November 2015|accessdate=1 April 2016}}

Ilyas has performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe four times. In 2011, he was in a three-hander with Gary Tro and Kate Lucas called Gags Songs and Bombs. In 2013, he was on the comedy reserve in the Pleasance Dome. In 2014, he performed for a week.{{cite web |url=https://www.freshair.org.uk/teams/fringe/posts/1449-interview-tez-ilyas-tez-talks|title=INTERVIEW: Tez Ilyas, Tez Talks|publisher=FreshAir.org.uk|date=8 August 2015|accessdate=1 April 2016}}

Ilyas' debut show the TEZ Talks{{cite news |last=Jones|first=Alice|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/edinburgh-festival/tez-ilyas-edinburgh-fringe-review-a-witty-exploration-of-what-it-means-to-be-a-british-muslim-10472637.html|title=Tez Ilyas, Edinburgh Fringe review: a witty exploration of what it means to be a British Muslim|newspaper=The Independent|date=26 August 2015|accessdate=1 April 2016}} resembles TED Talks, the popular conference lecture series.{{cite news |last=Hawkins|first=Si|url=http://www.thenational.ae/arts-lifestyle/on-stage/tez-ilyas-tez-talks-will-make-you-think--and-laugh|title=Tez Ilyas' TEZ Talks will make you think – and laugh|location=Abu Dhabi|newspaper=The National|date=24 August 2015|accessdate=1 April 2016}} Ilyas' show is inspired by his life as a British Muslim, and deals with numerous misconceptions about Islam. His show is staged as an introductory seminar on becoming a convert to Islam with the audience playing the part of potential recruits. This enables Ilyas to explain the intricacies of his belief system while dealing with misconceptions arising from prejudice.{{cite magazine |last=Porteous|first=Lewis|url=https://www.festmag.co.uk/comedy/102804-tez_ilyas_tez_talks|title=Tez Ilyas: Tez Talks|magazine=Fest Magazine|date=14 August 2015|accessdate=1 April 2016}} He gives a series of mock-inspirational speeches on integrating into British society, and explains concepts like jihad and Ramadan with 'unpatronisingly good humour', explores "British values" and debunks Islamophobic abuse. In August 2015, Ilyas performed the show at the Pleasance Courtyard at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In February 2016, he performed the show at London's Soho Theatre.

A BBC Radio 4 series based on the Tez Talks was commissioned and has run for three series. Ilyas was awarded a place in the BBC's Writers Academy. He has written and filmed his scripted comedy shorts for Sky. He has appeared on both The Now Show and the Children in Need Comedy Gala for BBC Radio 4, and appeared on both Virtually Famous on E4 and Live From the BBC on BBC Three.{{cite news |last=Clark|first=James|url=http://www.tntmagazine.com/entertainment/comedy/tez-ilyas-and-tez-talks|title=Fringe: Tez Ilyas interview|publisher=TNT|date=28 January 2016|accessdate=1 April 2016}}

He has appeared as the recurring character 'Eight' on the BBC Three comedy series, Man Like Mobeen, alongside comedian and actor Guz Khan.{{Cite web|url=https://counteract.co/film-and-tv/man-like-mobeen-series-2-review/|title=TV review: Man Like Mobeen series two is the comedy Britain needs right now|last=Franks|first=Richard|date=2019-02-10|website=Counteract - Birmingham's online music + culture magazine|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-02-21}}

In December 2018, Ilyas featured in the comedy short, Bounty, a 'Comedy Blap' by Channel 4, which was set in his hometown of Blackburn.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/17314244.watch-tez-ilyas-in-new-blackburn-based-comedy-bounty/|title=Watch: Tez Ilyas in new Blackburn based comedy 'Bounty'|website=Lancashire Telegraph|date=21 December 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-02-21}}

In January 2019, it was announced that Ilyas would host a new comedy programme on Channel 4, The Tez O'Clock Show, broadcast from dock10 studios in Manchester. {{Cite web|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/17400436.tv-tez-ilyas-to-front-new-satirical-show-on-channel-4/|title=Blackburn comic Tez Ilyas to front new satirical show on Channel 4|website=Lancashire Telegraph|date=31 January 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-02-21}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/17400436.tv-tez-ilyas-to-front-new-satirical-show-on-channel-4/|title=Blackburn comic Tez Ilyas to front new satirical show on Channel 4|website=Asian Image|date=31 January 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-02-21}} Three 60-minute episodes of the show were aired on the channel from 25 July 2019, featuring a combination of comedians, satirical sketches and celebrity guests.{{Cite web |title=Tez Ilyas joins Channel 4 with brand new satirical news show {{!}} Channel 4 |url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/tez-ilyas-joins-channel-4-brand-new-satirical-news-show |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=www.channel4.com}}

In June 2020, he released a stand-up comedy special, Teztify, on YouTube. The show was filmed live at the Soutbank Centre in London in May 2018 as part of a UK tour.{{Citation |title=Tez Ilyas: TEZTIFY (FULL Stand-Up Comedy Special 2020) | date=15 June 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Shps6Aiqk |language=en |access-date=2023-01-30}}{{Cite web |date=2018-04-01 |title=Tez Ilyas review – cheeky chappie takes on British Muslim identity |url=http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/apr/01/tez-ilyas-review-soho-theatre-london |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}

In April 2021, Ilyas released his debut book, The Secret Diary of a British Muslim aged 13 3/4, published by Sphere Books.{{Cite book |url=https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/titles/tez-ilyas/the-secret-diary-of-a-british-muslim-aged-13-34/9780751582192/ |title=The Secret Diary of a British Muslim Aged 13 3/4 |date=2021-09-02 |isbn=978-0-7515-8219-2 |language=en-US |last1=Ilyas |first1=Tez |publisher=Little, Brown Book Group Limited }}{{Cite web|title=Comedian Tez Ilyas writes book about life growing up in 90s Blackburn|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/18756151.comedian-tez-ilyas-writes-book-life-growing-90s-blackburn/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=Lancashire Telegraph|date=29 September 2020 |language=en}} In 2024 he appeared on SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Politics

In November 2019, Ilyas was chosen to take over the Instagram of Jeremy Corbyn{{Cite tweet |user=tezilyas |url=https://twitter.com/tezilyas/status/1196836729002573827 |number=1196836729002573827 |access-date=2023-04-28 |title=Guess Who's Taking Over @Jeremycorbyn 'S Insta During The #Leadersdebate Tonight?? |language=en}} during the Labour Party leaders' debate with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

In January 2020, Ilyas spoke at a 'No War on Iran' demonstration in Trafalgar Square, London organised by Stop the War Coalition and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament following the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and the subsequent Iranian missile attack on US bases in Iraq.{{Cite web |title=Jeremy Corbyn to address anti-war rally in Trafalgar Square |url=https://guernseypress.com//news/uk-news/2020/01/11/jeremy-corbyn-to-address-anti-war-rally-in-trafalgar-square/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=guernseypress.com |date=11 January 2020 |language=en}}{{Citation |title=Tez Ilyas – speaking at Iran rally 11th Jan | date=23 January 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5y6PeQ-AvI |language=en |access-date=2023-01-30}}

Awards and nominations

In 2011, Ilyas reached the final of the BBC Radio New Comedy Awards.{{cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/9067920.Blackburn_comic_Tez_through_to_semi_finals/|title=Blackburn comic Tez through to semi-finals|location=Lancashire|newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph|date=6 June 2011|accessdate=1 April 2016}} In 2013, Ilyas was a finalist for Leicester Mercury New Comedian of the Year{{cite web |url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/comics/t/33733/tez_ilyas|title=Tez Ilyas|publisher=Chortle|accessdate=1 April 2016}} and won The Pleasance showcase, The Comedy Reserve.

Personal life

Ilyas is a Muslim and is based in Clapham, London. He is a Blackburn Rovers fan.{{cite news |url=http://www.laughoutlondoncomedyclub.co.uk/2015/08/12/tez-ilyas-edinburgh-fringe-2015-interview/|title=Tez Ilyas: Edinburgh Fringe 2015 interview|publisher=Laugh Out London comedy club|date=12 August 2015|accessdate=1 April 2016}}

Ilyas cites television shows such as South Park, The Thick of It and Blackadder, but most importantly the dry humour of the people of his home town, Blackburn, and his father, as his biggest inspiration.

In July 2022, Ilyas announced on social media that he had married, sharing a photo of himself and his wife Shy wearing their wedding rings.{{Cite web |title=Comedian Tez Ilyas marries, posting cute picture to his 61k Twitter followers |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/20590458.blackburn-comedian-tez-ilyas-gets-married-posting-cute-pic-twitter/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Lancashire Telegraph |date=31 July 2022 |language=en}}

References

External links

{{Official website|http://www.tezilyas.com/}}
{{IMDb name|id=6382703|name=Tez Ilyas}}
[http://www.shortcom.co.uk/wp/meet-tez-ilyas-ed-fringe-2015/ Meet Tez Ilyas – Ed Fringe 2015]. Short Com. 30 July 2015
[https://www.freshair.org.uk/teams/fringe/posts/1449-interview-tez-ilyas-tez-talks INTERVIEW: Tez Ilyas, Tez Talks]. FreshAir.org.uk. 8 August 2015
[http://www.laughoutlondoncomedyclub.co.uk/2015/08/12/tez-ilyas-edinburgh-fringe-2015-interview/ Tez Ilyas: Edinburgh Fringe 2015 interview]. Laugh Out London comedy club. 12 August 2015
[http://www.aaaedinburgh.co.uk/fringe-tez-ilyas-interview/ Fringe: Tez Ilyas interview]. Access All Areas Edinburgh. 25 August 2015