Adil Ray - Biography

Adil's background, outlook and brave style makes him a favourite among viewers and listeners. Adil is a stand out performer in today's comedy scene.

In 2010 Adil made his comedy debut on BBC2's Bellamy's People which included characters such as the self appointed Muslim community leader, Mr Khan, confused young British Pakistani MC Raa and the money making, Guru Dev.

Adil appeared on Bellamy's People as a result of producers Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse signing him up for the series within just a few minutes of meeting him and hearing his material.

In summer 2011 Adil was commissioned with his own BBC1 sitcom, Citizen Khan featuring his character Mr. Khan. Today this is often cited as one of the fastest commissions to air programmes in BBC Comedy.

Adil began his career in radio in 1994. He enjoyed great success as a presenter after joining the BBC Asian Network in 2001. He launched the late-night Adil Ray Show where he gave a platform for young aspiring artists to promote their musical talents as well as airing unique comedy skits, parodies and characters. In 2008 he won the award for Best Radio Show at the UK Asian Music Awards. Adil went on to present BBC Asian Network's Breakfast show. Adil gained consistently record figures which he puts down to providing his audience a chance to laugh, sometimes at themselves. During his time on the show, Adil introduced an unsuspecting public to a number of characters such as MC Raa, Cockerel Khan and the mother-of-all-mothers, the 'religious' Shabnam di Maa (The Mother of Shabnam).

Adil has hosted a number of cricket based shows for BBC Radio 5Live and Radio 4's Test Match Special including the 6duck6 phone in. Adil was responsible for a number of key interviews regarding the 2010 Pakistani cricket scandal involving match fixing. Adil went on to host the institution that is the football 606 phone-in later that year. Since 2011, Adil has often been heard covering the late night show on BBC Radio 5live. During that show he has been responsible for breaking news of the London Riots, phone hacking and the night we went to war in Libya.

Other radio credits include BBC Radio 4's Picturing Britain. Two five-part series meeting prominent British photographers such as Rankin.

Today, Adil can be heard on the UK's most listened to station, BBC Radio2. From time to time, Adil looks after Liza Tarbuck's Saturday night show.