Late-night slot for comic's big break

Tez Ilyas is to front a new satirical show for Channel 4

The broadcaster’s director of programmes, Ian Katz, revealed the project at a press event tonight.

However, details of the new project are scant, except that it will air in an 11pm slot and be made by the production company Expectation.

The firm was set up by former BBC director of television Peter Fincham, with Channel 4’s former deputy head of comedy Nerys Evans leading its comedy department.

Ilyas, a former civil servant from Blackburn, came to comedy in 2010.

He has made three series of stand-up shows for Radio 4 under the title Tez Talks, the last of which has just aired.

Ilyas has also appeared on BBC Three’s stand-up showcase Live From The BBC and has a regular role in Man Like Mobeen.

He made a Comedy Blap for Channel 4 last month called Bounty, a sitcom pilot about a young British Muslim like himself who has moved back with his family in Blackburn. 

Channel 4 also tonight announced a new late-night show from Harry Hill and confirmed the Mr Swallow pilot from Nick Mohammed, as Chortle exclusively revealed in June last year.

Published: 30 Jan 2019