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Adil Ray

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Adil Ray
OBE
Adil Ray in 2012
Native nameعادل رے
Born (1974-04-26) 26 April 1974 (age 51)
Birmingham, England
Medium
  • Television
  • radio
  • documentary
  • lifestyle
EducationUniversity of Huddersfield (BA)
Genres
Subject(s)
Notable works and roles
Websiteadilray.com
Ray's voice
recorded April 2014

Adil Ray OBE (Punjabi: عادل رے, born 26 April 1974) is a British actor, comedian and radio/television presenter. Ray is best known as the creator, co-writer and star of the long-running BBC One scripted comedy series Citizen Khan (2012–2016), and as a presenter on ITV's Good Morning Britain and on various BBC radio stations. He played the role of Sadiq Nawaz in the Channel 4 drama series Ackley Bridge, and also had major roles in Channel 5 drama series The Inheritance, ITV period drama series Beecham House, and in feature films Blithe Sprit, Arthur's Whiskey, and Picture This. Since 2021 he has presented the revival of the British game show Lingo.

Early life

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Ray was born in Birmingham, England, to a Punjabi Muslim father from Lahore, and an Indo-Kenyan mother.[1] He was brought up in the suburb of Yardley.[2] Ray's father Abdul worked as a bus driver for almost forty years. His mother worked for the Immigration Appeals Department in the Civil Service and was of Buganda and Kenyan Asian ancestry.[1]

Ray attended Yardley Junior and Infant School and Handsworth Grammar School, his first day being the day after the Handsworth Riots in 1985.[3] Ray was a keen cricketer and represented Birmingham and District Premier League side West Bromwich Dartmouth during the late-1980s and early-1990s. Ray graduated from the University of Huddersfield with a 2:1 BA (Hons) in Marketing in 1997.[3]

Career

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Ray began his career as a radio host on a pirate radio station in Huddersfield while studying at the University of Huddersfield, and DJing at the university venue Eden (1992). Later, during his placement year, he got a job with a new small Asian radio station in Birmingham where he spent the first half of the year, before moving on to Choice FM (1995). In 1997, Ray landed a spot with Galaxy 105. He then joined Century Radio in Manchester, Radio Aire Leeds and Ministry of Sound Radio.

BBC

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Ray joined the BBC Asian Network in 2002 to present the late night Adil Ray Show.[3] In May 2006, Ray took over the drive time afternoon slot, and from January 2009 he presented the station's Breakfast Show from 7:00am each weekday.[2] In 2008 The Adil Ray Show won the best radio show category at the UK Asian Music Awards.[4]

Ray has been a regular on BBC Radio 5 Live presenting the late night show, the Football and Cricket 606 phone ins, Victoria Derbyshire, Weekend Breakfast and Fighting Talk.[3] Ray has also fronted documentaries for BBC Radio 4, including Picturing Britain[5] and Towering Ambition.[6] He has also appeared in the award-winning BBC Asian Network radio soap, Silver Street.[3]

He also presented the British Asian Arts and Lifestyle show Desi DNA on BBC Two, and hosted the BBC Four programme Tales from Europe where he explored the 24-hour lifestyle in Madrid. In 2007, Ray presented the Royal Television Society award-nominated show Is it Cos I Is Black? for BBC Three where he looked at the issue of political correctness.[2][7] He has also filmed a documentaries strand for BBC Two called Explore, in which he reported from Argentina and Turkey.[7] In 2010 he appeared in the BBC Two comedy show Bellamy's People, playing characters including self-appointed "community leader" Mr Khan and Birmingham "Muslim DJ" MC Raa.[8]

In 2010, Ray reprised his role as Mr. Khan to feature in his own web series for BBC Comedy[9] to cover the UK general election. Mr. Khan returned later in the year with a follow-up BBC Comedy web series about the cricket to coincide with the Pakistan national team's visit to England that year.[10]

In the summer of 2010, Ray joined BBC Radio 5 Live as part of their cricket coverage, travelling to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to cover the 2011 Cricket World Cup. He can often be heard presenting the 5 Live late-night show. Ray continues to make documentaries for BBC Radio 4 including The Real Mr. Khan, a documentary looking into the role of community leaders. Ray also tackled the issue of sex and grooming in the British Pakistani community in a BBC Radio 4 documentary entitled The Sex Lives of British Pakistanis that was broadcast on 4 July 2011, as well as a highly acclaimed BBC Three documentary in December 2011 – Exposed: Groomed For Sex.

Ray continued his venture into comedy including the radio pilot Sparkhill Sound that broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 12 May 2011. A community radio station set in Birmingham. Ray was both writer and performer alongside Anil Gupta (writer), Gary Pillai, and Vineeta Rishi (cast).

In 2015, Ray guest presented three episodes of The One Show alongside Alex Jones.[3]

In 2019, Adil hosted S58E05 of Have I Got News For You, appearing alongside team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop, and panellists Ivo Graham and Helen Lewis [11]. Ray also hosted S60E02 of Have I Got A Bit More News For You in 2020, alongside Merton and Hislop, with guests Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Nicky Morgan[12].

Citizen Khan

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Main article: Citizen Khan

In October 2011, Ray performed the co-written comedy Citizen Khan at the BBC Salford Sitcom Showcase, centred on Ray's comedy creation Mr Khan and his long-suffering family. Commissioned as a BBC One primetime series, the Asian Muslim sitcom follows the trials and tribulations of big-hearted, loud-mouthed, tight-fisted, self-appointed community leader Mr Khan (Adil Ray) and his long-suffering family: wife Mrs Khan (Shobu Kapoor) and daughters Shazia (Maya Sondhi) and Alia (Bhavna Limbachia).

The six 30-minute episodes of Citizen Khan were commissioned by Danny Cohen, BBC One Controller, and Cheryl Taylor, Controller of Comedy Commissioning, and have been produced by BBC In-House Comedy. The Executive Producer is Mark Freeland, the Producer is Paul Schlesinger (Twenty Twelve) and the Director is Nick Wood (Fresh Meat, Not Going Out, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps). Citizen Khan is written by Anil Gupta and Richard Pinto (The Kumars at No 42, Goodness Gracious Me) with Adil Ray.[13] The series was renewed for four further series of six episodes plus a Christmas special each, ending on 23 December 2016.

ITV

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In August 2018, Ray temporarily replaced Piers Morgan as a co-host on ITV's Good Morning Britain.[14]

From February 2019, Ray has become the guest presenter for Good Morning Britain, appearing during the February, April and Summer Holidays.

In 2019, Ray played the role of Murad Beg in ITV's six-part historical drama series Beecham House. The series is set in 1795 in Delhi, India, and co-created, directed and produced by Gurinder Chadha[15].

In 2020, Ray was scheduled twice weekly during the summer holidays in July and August, covering for the main presenters during their summer break. During this time Ray continued the show's coverage of the Coronavirus Pandemic, most often presenting on Thursdays with Charlotte Hawkins and Fridays with Ranvir Singh.[16]

Ray portrayed Imran Khan in ITV's acclaimed 2021 mini-series Stephen. The series, written by Frank Cottrell Boyce and Joe Cottrell Boyce, was based on the book in Pursuit of the Truth by DCI Clive Driscoll, about the 1993 murder of Stephen Lawrence, and starred Steve Coogan in the role of DCI Clive Driscoll[17][18].

In 2021, Ray began presenting the revival of word-based quiz show, Lingo which premiered on New Years Day.[19]

In 2023, Ray was chosen to host US pilot episodes of the gameshow Lucky 13.

Film

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In 2020, Ray starred as Mandeep Singh in supernatural comedy Blithe Spirit, alongside Dame Judi Dench, Isla Fischer, Dan Stevens, Leslie Mann and Emilia Clarke[20]. The film, which was based on Noël Coward's 1941 stage farce, is the second feature film adaptation, after David Lean's 1945 version.

Ray starred as James in the 2024 Sky Original film Arthur's Whiskey, led by Diane Keaton, Patricia Hodge and Lulu[21].

in 2025, Ray played Mukul in Amazon Prime Video's original romantic comedy Picture This, which starred Simone Ashley and Hero Fiennes Tiffin in the lead roles[22].

Smooth Radio

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At the end of December 2024, Adil Ray went back to his radio roots when he joined Smooth Radio as a guest presenter over the Christmas and New Year period[23]. Following his guest presenting success, it was announced that from March 2025, Ray would host his own Saturday mid-morning show[24].

Film and Television Production

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Adil Ray is the co-founder and Creative Director of Cornered Tiger, a multi genre, Birmingham based production company. Ray and co-founder Debbie Manners launched Cornered Tiger in 2020, with the purpose of developing ideas with diversity at the very heart of its content, and telling new stories by new and emerging diverse talent. Cornered Tiger produced the 2023 documentary Is Cricket Racist? for Channel 4, which was nominated for a 2024 Royal Television Society (Midlands) Documentary award[25], as well as for Sports Documentary of the Year at the 2023 Broadcast Sport Awards[26]. Cornered Tiger has several projects in development with major terrestrial television broadcasters and streaming platforms.

Personal life

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Ray is a keen cricket fan and supports his local team Warwickshire and the national team of his father's origin, Pakistan. He is also a fan of Aston Villa F.C.[27]

Ray is also involved in several charities and foundations: he is an ambassador for the Aston Villa Foundation, a registered charity that delivers the community and charity work of Aston Villa Football Club; a patron of Acorns Children's Hospice, a registered charity offering a network of palliative care and support to life-limited and life-threatened children and their families across the West Midlands region and part of South West England[28]; and an ambassador for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Honours, awards and nominations

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  • UK Asian Music Award – Best Radio Show (2008)[29]
  • Royal Television Award Nomination – Is It Coz I Is Black (2007)

In January 2013, Ray was nominated for the Arts and Culture Awareness award at the British Muslim Awards.[30]

Ray was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2016 Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting.[31]

Since 2017, Ray has been on the board of the National Film and Television School[32].

Credits

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Television

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Year Title Role Broadcaster
2003 The Last Word Presenter ITV
2006 Tales from Europe: Madrid BBC Four
Desi DNA Series 1 BBC Two
2006–2008 Inside Out
2007 The Heaven and Earth Show BBC One
Desi DNA Series 2
Mischief: Is It Cos I Is Black? BBC Three
2008 Desi DNA Series 3 BBC Two
Explore
2010 Bellamy's People
Talk of the Terrace Contributor ESPN
GMTV ITV
2010–2012 Lorraine Contributor
2011 Exposed: Groomed for Sex Presenter BBC Three
2012–2016 Citizen Khan Actor/Writer BBC One
2013 The Matt Lucas Awards Himself
2014 Celebrity Mastermind Contestant
Would I Lie to You? Himself
2015 The One Show Stand-in presenter (3 episodes)
2016 Pointless Celebrities Himself
2017 Who Do You Think You Are Himself
2017–2019 Ackley Bridge Sadiq Nawaz Channel 4
2018–present Good Morning Britain Stand-in Presenter
Fridays with Kate Garraway (2024–) 		ITV
2021–present Lingo Presenter
2023 The Inheritance 4 episodes

Radio

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Year Title Role Broadcaster
2001 The Adil Ray Show Presenter Choice FM
The Drivetime Show Presenter Galaxy 105
The Adil Ray Show Presenter Century Radio
2002 The Adil Ray Show Presenter BBC Asian Network
2006 Twenty Minutes Contributor BBC Radio 3
The Drivetime Show Presenter BBC Asian Network
2008 Silver Street Actor BBC Asian Network
2009 The Breakfast Show Presenter BBC Asian Network
Excess Baggage Contributor BBC Radio 4
Picturing Britain Presenter BBC Radio 4
2010 Towering Ambition Presenter BBC Radio 4
The Adil Ray Breakfast Show Presenter BBC Asian Network
Never Mind The Bhangra Presenter BBC Radio 4
The Gethin Jones Show Contributor BBC Radio 5 Live
The Cricket Forum Presenter BBC Radio 5 Live
606 Presenter BBC Radio 5 Live
Up All Night Presenter BBC Radio 5 Live
2011 Heroes of 2010 Presenter BBC Radio 5 Live
Cricket World Cup coverage Presenter BBC Radio 5 Live
Sparkhill Sound Writer/Performer BBC Radio 4
The Private Lives of British Pakistanis Presenter BBC Radio 4
The Victoria Derbyshire Show Presenter BBC Radio 5 Live
The Real Mr Khan Presenter BBC Radio 4
2011–12 The Tony Livesey Show Presenter BBC Radio 5 Live
2018 The Zoe Ball Show Stand-In Presenter BBC Radio 2
2025- Smooth's Saturday Mid-Morning Show Presenter Smooth Radio

References

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  1. ^ a b Hogan, Michael (27 July 2017). "Who Do You Think You Are? Adil Ray's odyssey to Africa was rawly emotional: review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Adil Ray biography". adilray.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Rodger, James (13 August 2018). "Who is Adil Ray? Birmingham star replacing Piers Morgan on GMB". birminghammail. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  4. ^ "Adil Ray wins gong for best radio show". Asian News. 10 March 2008. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  5. ^ "Series 2, Beyond the Security Fence". www.bbc.co.uk. 9 October 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  6. ^ "Series 2, A Tale of Two Cities". www.bbc.co.uk. 14 July 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Adil Ray: 'Be real, and the rest will follow naturally' – Media, News". The Independent. 11 August 2008. Archived from the original on 26 December 2008. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  8. ^ "Adil Ray in new BBC Two comedy". The Asian News. 14 January 2010. Archived from the original on 21 January 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  9. ^ "BBC Comedy – Mr Khan". BBC Comedy.
  10. ^ "Mr Khan – Youtube". BBC Comedy.
  11. ^ "BBC One - Have I Got News for You, Series 58, Episode 5". BBC. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  12. ^ "BBC One - Have I Got a Bit More News for You, Series 60, Episode 2". BBC. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  13. ^ "BBC One - Citizen Khan, Series 5, It's a Khanderful Life". BBC. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  14. ^ Hunt, Amy. "Viewers divided as this presenter is announced to replace Piers Morgan on GMB", Woman & Home, 16 August 2018. Retrieved on 12 November 2019.
  15. ^ "ITV's Beecham House cast | Tom Bateman, Lesley Nicol, Marc Warren, Adil Ray and Dakota Blue Richards | Radio Times". www.radiotimes.com. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  16. ^ "Good Morning Britain: Adil Ray replaces Ben Shephard". Entertainment Daily UK. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  17. ^ Stephen (Crime, Drama, History), Sharlene Whyte, Steve Coogan, Hugh Quarshie, HTM Productions, 30 August 2021, retrieved 1 May 2025{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  18. ^ "Steve Coogan spent hours speaking to real DCI Clive Driscoll ahead of ITV's Stephen". The Independent. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  19. ^ "Lingo Episode 1". Press Centre. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  20. ^ Hall, Edward (19 February 2021), Blithe Spirit (Comedy, Fantasy, Romance), Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Fred Films, Powderkeg Pictures, Align, retrieved 1 May 2025
  21. ^ Cookson, Stephen (5 October 2024), Arthur's Whisky (Comedy), Ossian Perret, Patricia Hodge, David Bromley, CK Films, Filmology Finance, Benattar/Thomas Productions, retrieved 1 May 2025
  22. ^ Mohan, Prarthana (6 March 2025), Picture This (Comedy, Romance), Simone Ashley, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Sindhu Vee, 42, Ingenious Media, retrieved 1 May 2025
  23. ^ "Adil Ray joins Smooth Radio as guest presenter this Christmas". RadioToday. 23 December 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  24. ^ "Smooth Radio". Smooth. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  25. ^ "Midlands Awards 2024". Royal Television Society. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  26. ^ "Broadcast Sport Awards - 2023 Shortlist". Broadcast Sports Awards. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  27. ^ Ireland, Shane (28 February 2019). "Good Morning Britain host Adil Ray wades into Leeds racism row". birminghammail. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  28. ^ "Acorns Patrons and Vice-Presidents". Acorns Children’s Hospice. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  29. ^ "BBC - Press Office - Adil Ray wins at UK Asian Music Awards". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  30. ^ "British Muslim Awards 2015 finalists unveiled". Asian Image. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  31. ^ "No. 61608". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 June 2016. p. B14.
  32. ^ "Adil Ray OBE". NFTS. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
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