Tez Ilyas

Early life

Ilyas was born and brought up in Blackburn, Lancashire, England and is of Pakistani descent.

Ilyas 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 London.

Stand-up career

Ilyas fell into comedy after googling online writing courses and completing a week long open mic workshop and became a comedian in June 2015.

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 BBC to released on BBC iPlayer. Ilyas goes through the day in the life of a fasting Muslim, he shows how he copes with the stresses and strains of an ordinary day in the office during Ramadan.

In July 2015, Ilyas performed at Eid Special Comedy Night at The Comedy Store in London. 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.

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.

Ilyas' debut show Tez Talk resembles TED Talks, the popular conference lecture series Ilyas' show is inspired by his life as a British Muslim and defuses numerous misconceptions about Islam. His show is staged as an introductory seminar in becoming a convert to Islam with the audience playing the part of potential new recruits. This enables Ilyas to explain the intricacies of his belief system, while putting bigoted misconceptions to bed. He gives a series of mock-inspirational speeches on integrating into British societ,. and explains concepts like jihad and Ramadan with unpatronising good humour, explores "British values" and debunks [Islamophobia|Islamophobic]] abuse. In August 2015, Ilyas performed the show at the Pleasance Courtyard at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In February 2016, he the show at London's Soho Theatre.

A BBC Radio 4 pilot, based on Tez Talks has been commissioned. Ilyas was awarded a place on the BBC's writers academy and he has written and filmed his own scripted comedy short 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.

Comedy style and reception

Paul Fleckney of The Guardian said, "Ilyas has a slickness more reminiscent of US comics, and the gags to back it up, though his most prized asset could yet be his bold, subversive streak." Alice Jones of The Independent called him "A comic voice to listen out for in future." Si Hawkins of The National said, "TEZ Talks will make you think – and laugh."

Lewis Porteous of Fest Magazine said, "Sincere and persuasive, Ilyas is a fine ambassador for cultural relations." James Clark of TNT said, "sharp wit and charmingly cheeky onstage persona." Gayle Anderson of The Herald said, "This is smart, subversive comedy with pin-sharp observations." Tess Pullen of Nouse said, "sharp wit and even sharper dress".

Chortle labelled him "sartorially stylish". Access All Areas Edinburgh called him "one of the hottest rising stars on the comedy circuit." Jo Nead of Arts Award Voice said, "He is undoubtedly a talented comedian, and by far the best stand-up act I have seen so far."

James McColl of The Skinny said "Ilyas offers the audience nothing but love and laughs." John Nicholson of the Daily Mirror "Very funny throughout but towards a real purpose, it felt like a quietly important show."

Awards and nominations

In 2011, he reached the semi-finals of BBC Radio New Comedy Awards. In 2013, Ilyas was a finalist for Leicester Mercury New Comedian of the Year and won The Pleasance showcase The Comedy Reserve.

Personal life

Ilyas is a Muslim is based in Clapham, London. He is a Blackburn Rovers Football Club fan.

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 inspire him most.