Tez Ilyas: 10 Edinburgh Fringe questions

Tez Ilyas answers 10 questions about his 2016 Edinburgh Fringe show...

Give us a quick overview of your comedy career so far. Are you happy with where you're at?

I started stand-up on the open-mic circuit in London in 2010 and reached quite a few competition finals in my first two years, including the BBC New Comedy Award, which gave me the confidence to really pursue a career in comedy.

The last year's has been really great, I took my debut solo show, TEZ Talks, to last year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it did really well and of the back of that I've had lots of exciting things happen, including converting that show into a series for BBC Radio 4.
I'm back this year with sophomore show: Made in Britain.

Tell us two truths and one lie about yourself (but mix them up, keep us guessing!).

Hmmm...

1. I once had a legit dance-off against Britain's Got Talent winner George Sampson.

2. I'm a very talented footballer. I was on the books for Bury FC before injuries curtailed a promising career.

3. I was only 60 miles away when Bin Laden was captured and killed by the US Navy Seals.

Describe your new show in exactly 23 words.

It's about what's shaped me into this legend and how my non-typical British experiences are actually British experiences because they're happening in Britain.

Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

I'm trying this weird thing out: write a cracking show and word of mouth will help spread. I'll let you know how it goes.

What's your plan for trying to eat - and drink - healthily during the Fringe?

I always travel up with the best of intentions. But I'm living above the Mosque Kitchen and I've got Palmyra's (kebab shop) across the road and Elephant & Bagel on the other side, so I don't think I'm gonna bother.

Maybe I'll go for a run or two to help clear my head on the days it's all getting a bit too much.

What will you miss most while you're away from home?

My TV I think. I've got a big fuck-off thing in the flat I share with one of my bezzies in London, and so not watching all the series I'm into and the start of the football season will be hard(ish).

Aside from performing, what else are you looking forward to doing in Scotland's fine capital?

I can't wait to see some other shows. There's so much going on, this might even be the year I finally get round to seeing some theatre! Who knows.

Also, climbing Arthur's seat is a must at some point and I'll probably also get some fish and chips and fudge too.

If you took over programming a Fringe venue, what would your perfect line-up of comedians be?

Based solely on the comics who are going to be at the Fringe this year, I'd go for: James Acaster, Nish Kumar, Sophie Willan, Johnny Cochrane, Kate Lucas, Sunil Patel, Gary Tro, Jamali Maddix, Harriet Kemsley and Felicity Ward.

Name the one person you'd rather not bump into during the festival.

Er... All the comics at the Fringe who I've not mentioned above. Awkward.

Why should audiences pick your show over the 1,800+ other Fringe offerings listed on BCG this year?

This show is about the personal experiences of someone a lot of audiences will not have come across every day and so will give a chance for my Tezbians to get to know who I am, my background, what makes me tick and there's also one or two pretty big revelations that should hopefully leave people open-mouthed.

'Tez Ilyas: Made in Britain' is at Pleasance Courtyard at 5:30pm until the 28th August. Listing