Guz Khan reveals why he ended Man Like Mobeen – and how he portrays multi-faith marriages in new Christmas caper

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Just ten years ago, Guz Khan was a teacher, but he started gaining attention online by creating funny video skits as a character named Mobeen, a Muslim man from Birmingham. A couple of these videos became very popular, leading to an opportunity to open for comedian Joe Lycett. Soon after, he left his teaching job at Grace Academy to pursue comedy full-time.

In 2017, Guz Khan created a complex and relatable character with ‘Man like Mobeen‘ for BBC Three. The show follows a drug dealer trying to change his ways through faith and family, but constantly being pulled back into his former life. The series was a hit, earning four more seasons and three Bafta nominations, and led to roles in projects with well-known creators like Judd Apatow and Mindy Kaling. Khan is currently working on new projects with Riz Ahmed and Rebel Wilson, and his latest comedy-drama, ‘Stuffed,’ will air on BBC One during the Christmas season.

In another sense however, the 39-year-old comedian insists he hasn’t gone far at all.

I’ve had the same close friends for years, and my wife and I have been together for 21 years. I enjoy my work and then come home to my group of friends, but we rarely discuss anything personal. They tease me, saying I haven’t changed a bit. I don’t see myself as particularly gifted, I just don’t dwell on failures – I see them as experiences to remember.

Has his success changed how people treat him? He says he’s constantly stopped for photos and kind words. While most in-person interactions are positive, online it’s different. He admits to sometimes responding to negative comments on X (formerly Twitter), partly for entertainment and partly to challenge the anonymity that encourages such behavior. He explains he wants to show those who hide behind online insults that those words wouldn’t be said in person. He cautions his children to be careful online, because for many people, the internet feels more real than everyday life.

For Khan, family is the most important thing. He jokingly describes getting sidetracked while doing chores – his wife teases him about it, but he always manages to complete at least one item on the shopping list, which he says helps keep their marriage strong. He frequently talks about his five children, from playfully arguing with them while watching YouTube videos to being impressed by their genuine curiosity when they watch documentaries like Louis Theroux’s The Settlers.

He laughs heartily when remembering one of his first memories: his sister showing him a VHS tape of Eddie Murphy’s stand-up comedy when he was five years old. He says it completely changed the way he thought, and jokingly points out that his sister now works to protect children in the West Midlands.

Sadiq Khan grew up in Hillfields, Coventry, with his mother and two sisters. He recalls learning to be funny at a young age by deliberately saying provocative things to get a reaction. He remembers that even if his aunties got upset and tried to scold him, his mother and uncle would find it amusing. He believes this early experience of pushing boundaries and getting laughs, even at the risk of upsetting people, was key to developing his comedic style.

Sajeel Khan, still based in Coventry, continues to embrace his playful, fearless spirit. His latest Christmas comedy features him as a grumpy Muslim character whose wife proposes a family vacation to Lapland, resulting in hilarious mayhem. It’s a lighthearted and lively show, and like all of Khan’s work, it cleverly combines humor with meaningful ideas.

He wonders why we rarely see happy couples from different faiths represented on British television. “It’s actually quite common in real life!” he laughs. While his show Stuffed doesn’t focus on religious differences – it deals with everyday family issues – he knows viewers will appreciate seeing a couple like his and Morgana’s, as such representation is lacking. He feels it’s important for more people to have their stories told. He also explains that he ended his show Man Like Mobeen because he felt he’d moved past the experiences that originally inspired it.

I ended with a playful question: is it better to give or to receive? He was surprised and jokingly asked who would even read that! But then he understood what I meant. He said, “It’s always more rewarding to give than to receive. Think about that.”

What I take from it is that Guz Khan has plenty left to give.

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2025-12-03 21:15