Announced during Harpz Kaur’s BBC Asian Network Breakfast show, the live event, which aims to celebrate and showcase the very best Asian comedy acts, is back for the first time in three years.

Hosted by the network’s very own Nikita Kanda and Mistah Islah, audiences can expect an evening packed with laughter and entertainment, as well as a live music performance and DJ sets throughout the night.

Recorded in front of a live studio audience at the BBC’s Radio Theatre, comedy headliners will include British-Pakistani stand-up comedian Tez Ilyas. Fresh from his Vicked Tour, as seen on Live at the Apollo, Tez has also been supported by the BBC for comedy programmes such as Man Like Mobeen and Radio 4’s Tez Talks.

Also featured on the line-up will be Newcastle’s Raul Kohli, an award-winning comedian who has presented BBC podcast Comic Sanskrit and most recently wrote and starred in his own BBC Laugh Lesson: ‘How We Ruined the Internet’. North-West London comic Fathiya’s Comedy, who specialises in the hilarious mishaps of what it’s like being Muslim and living in a Somali household, playing on her Somali-Yemeni roots. And Daman Bamrah, a British-Sikh stand-up comedian who took part in BBC’s New Comedy Awards 2021 and has gone on to perform at some of the UK’s most recognised comedy venues including Angel Comedy Club and The Museum of Comedy.

Tickets are free of charge and are available now through the BBC Asian Network website.

The event will also feature a live music performance from Birmingham-born singer and dancer Bambi Bains. Previously supported by BBC Asian Network and hot off her latest collaboration with Afro B, Bambi has released global hits including Retro Rarri and Khayaal. While AJD will keep guests entertained as the resident DJ for the night.

Ahmed Hussain, Head of BBC Asian Network says: “Asian Network Comedy returns after three years! This revamped offering includes live music and a DJ – so get ready for a proper night out! I’m really pleased to be able to showcase brand new comedy talent from across the UK, alongside household names and I think we’ve all waited long enough to get out there and have a proper laugh!”

The show will run from 8 - 9:30pm on Friday 18th March 2022 and highlights of all performances will be available on BBC iPlayer in the weeks following the event.