Shazia Mirza is a comedian, actor and writer. She was the first Muslim woman on the UK comedy circuit. Born in Birmingham, she studied biochemistry at the University of Manchester and taught science in a London school while studying acting and comedy at the same time. She has written a column in The Guardian, and The New Statesman and writes for other newspapers and magazines; she has appeared on television, including on Have I Got News For You; and in shows Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls on Channel 4, Celebs in Solitary, and Celebrity Supply Teacher for the BBC. Her standup comedy show The Kardashians Made Me Do It, a satire on political correctness, premiered at the Tricycle Theatre, had seven sell-out runs at London's Soho Theatre, and toured Europe and the USA. Her new show 'COCONUT' is on tour in the UK right now and has received 4 * reviews and been nominated for a National Comedy Award.