Imran Yusuf is renowned as a skilful raconteur who seamlessly weaves socio-political satire with heartfelt introspection in his charmingly endearing trademark styling. Languid, punchy, cheeky and utterly loveable, Imran has established himself as a truly unique voice in the world of comedy.
Imran is of East-African Indian descent, born in Mombasa, Kenya but raised in London with a brief stint studying illegally in the USA. Imran has travelled much of the world including Israel/Palestine, Jordan and Saudi Arabia during the Lebanon Crisis in 2006 in an all encompassing pilgrimage for which he quit his job and spent his savings.
Imran also speaks fluent Hindi/Urdu which has allowed him to go down a storm in the blossoming stand-up comedy scene in India and with his rich multicultural background, Imran has become an original voice that embodies the multi-cultural wealth that exists in modern Britain.
In 2010, Imran presented his debut solo show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The show, An Audience with Imran Yusuf, was part of the Laughing Horse Free Festival and it was Imran’s intention to develop his craft and material at the Fringe whilst at the same time keeping under the radar of the UK Comedy Industry and Press. However, word about the show got out and within a week Imran had gained the first of a collection of 5 star reviews, which led to him being nominated for Best Newcomer in the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award 2010 (He was the first performer from The Free Festival to be nominated in the history of the Awards). All of this whilst fasting between sunrise and sunset in observation of Ramadan.
Imran’s TV debut was also made shortly after the festival appearing on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow (BBC1) and the Edinburgh Comedy Fest (BBC3) broadcast in September 2010.
Imran has completed two UK tours with his solo shows “An Audience with Imran Yusuf” and “Bring The Thunder”. Imran took his third solo show “Roar of The Underdog” to the Edinburgh Festival in 2014 and is taking its sequel; “Super Roar of The Underdog Turbo X: HD Remix” to the Edinburgh Festival in 2015. Imran can also be seen as a regular member of the team-based topical comedy show; The Cutting Edge at The Comedy Store in London.
In 2015, Imran hosted the first ever “HaLOL” comedy night to celebrate the growing talent of British Muslim comedy in the UK, after which along with CEO of Unitas Communications; Muddassar Ahmed, Imran became a Director of HaLOL Entertainment, a non-profit organisation seeking to encourage participation in the arts amongst minority communities. The aspiration was to create a more accessible and inclusive comedy and arts culture, by providing spaces in which both artists and audiences of ethnic minorities feel represented and welcomed. HaLOL Entertainment organises events such as comedy nights, art competitions, and musical performances in mainstream venues, collaborating with established artists from around the world.