Adil Ray teases a plot from series 5

Citizen Khan creator Adil Ray says he’s going to kill off a character in the next series of the hit BBC One comedy. 

‘There’s a funeral this series,’ he said of the forthcoming fifth run. ‘Someone will be leaving us.’

But he reassured fans: ‘It won’t be one of the main characters, so don’t be worried too much.’

He added: ‘We’ll be exploring more of the world of Alia, the younger daughter, including her boyfriends.  And we might have a couple of guest stars this series that, without giving too much away, we hope people will enjoy.’

 Ray, who also plays Mr Khan, was speaking as he accepted an honorary degree from Birmingham City University at the International Conference Centre.

He said:’I’ve been here so many times for different events, from concerts to weddings, and I never thought in a million years I’d be coming here to receive an honorary doctorate.

‘Looking around also makes me really proud of Birmingham. There are two graduation ceremonies here today and it is great to see such diversity, which I think is something you take for granted if you’re a Brummie.’

He also said that he would be filming more of the new series in the city where he was born.  Although set in the Birmingham suburb of Sparkhill, exterior shots are normally shot in Manchester, close to the MediaCityUK studios.

‘For this series, we’re particularly excited, as we’re coming back to film in Birmingham,’ he said. ‘We’ll be filming even more scenes on the streets of Birmingham. There’s also Mr Khan and his fascination with cricket. There’s a great episode where he goes down to Edgbaston Cricket Ground.’

Ray was the first British Asian to host a daily radio show on mainstream, commercial radio, and he was appointed an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours this year, for his services to broadcasting.

Published: 26 Jul 2016