Growing up in Coventry, Guz Khan, 39, was a secondary school educator prior to venturing into comedy by posting videos as the character Mobeen in 2014. He left his teaching role the next year to focus on standup comedy. In 2017, the BBC launched his show Man Like Mobeen, which aired for five series. He received a Royal Television Society award in 2020 and has been nominated for a Bafta twice. His film credits include Army of Thieves and The Bubble. Guz Khan’s Custom Cars premieres on Quest on 19 January. He is married with five kids and resides in the West Midlands.
What is the quality you most detest in yourself?
Impulsiveness. It leads me to odd situations, like right now – I’m in the Middle East.
What is the quality you most detest in others?
Cruelty.
Describe yourself in three adjectives
Witty, entertaining, impulsive.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I would love to have the power to grant people’s wishes. I wish to be a genie.
What do you dislike the most about your looks?
My chest. It’s too curvy for a man in my age group.
What is your most unattractive habit?
I pick my nose while driving.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Cilla Black. She appeared to be so warm and cheerful.
Would you prefer fame or being unnoticed?
I don’t want to sound like a hypocrite for chatting with you, but I would choose anonymity, please.
To whom would you most like to apologize and why?
To my cousin P, who was among my closest friends during our childhood. We lost him in our 20s, and before he passed, I was wrapped up in the chaotic business of life and a new baby. He reached out to me and said: “Bro, I’m not feeling well.” And I replied: “Bro, you’ve never felt well.” That weighs heavy on my mind, thinking that if I or someone else had paid closer attention, things might have turned out differently. He was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bowel cancer and passed away five weeks later at 27.
Have you ever said ‘I love you’ and not truly meant it?
All the time.
What is the worst job you’ve ever had?
Handing out flyers for a window company at age 12. I recall dropping them in mail slots thinking: I’m going to deal drugs because this is terrible.
What has been your biggest letdown?
I bought a BMW 7 series and my best friend warned me: “I don’t think this is a good idea, bro, it’s too cheap.” I insisted: “Let’s chase the dream” and pressed hard on the gas, and the engine bottom and gearbox failed.
When was the last time you cried and why?
We aren’t really allowed to show tears where I come from. I can only shed tears in summer, when hay fever is at its peak.
What do you view as your greatest accomplishment?
Transforming my life. Recognizing the criminal path I was on and realizing that it wasn’t the life for me.
What has been your closest encounter with the law?
No comment.
Would you prefer more intimacy, wealth, or recognition?
Intimacy. If I held all the wealth in the world but lost the knack for romance, would that really be a rewarding life?
What is the most significant lesson life has taught you?
Desire for your siblings what you desire for yourself.
