Shazia Mirza
British comedian
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shazia Mirza is a British comedian, actress, and writer. She is best known for her stand-up comedy, and her articles in British newspapers The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph.[2][3][4]
Shazia Mirza | |
|---|---|
Mirza in 2010 | |
| Born | 3 October 1972 |
| Education | University of Manchester (BA) Goldsmiths, University of London (PGCE) Rose Bruford College |
| Comedy career | |
| Years active | 2000[1]–present |
| Medium | Comedian, actor, columnist |
| Genre | Observational comedy |
| Subjects | Social commentary, family |
| Website | www |
Early life and education
Mirza was born in Birmingham, England, the eldest daughter of Punjabi Pakistani parents who moved to Birmingham, England in the 1950s.[5][6][7]
Mirza read Biochemistry at the University of Manchester and achieved a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Goldsmiths, University of London.[8] Before beginning her career in comedy Mirza was a science teacher at Langdon Park School, where she taught Dylan Mills, now known as the grime pioneer Dizzee Rascal.[9][10][11] She later attended Rose Bruford College, where she studied acting part-time while working as a supply teacher[9] and took the final year of the course full-time.[12]
Career
Stand-up
Her comedy is said to push barriers and, as a comedian, she is often referred to as 'brave'. [2][3][4][13]
Writing
Mirza was a columnist for The Guardian between 2008 and 2010.[14] She has also written columns for The New Statesman[15] and Dawn[16] newspaper.
Television and radio
She was a regular panelist on the Channel 5 topical discussion series The Wright Stuff,[17] as well as appearing on other TV shows[18]
In April 2007, she presented a documentary on BBC Three called F*** Off, I'm a Hairy Woman.[19]
Mirza has also appeared in reality game shows Celebrity The Island with Bear Grylls on Channel 4 (2017), and in 2018, the Channel 5 show Celebs in Solitary.[20] In 2024 she appeared in SAS: Who Dares Wins.
Recognition
She was recognised as one of the BBC's 100 women of 2013.[21]
