Comic will be introducing nations – just luke Joe Lycett

Shazia Mirza will be taking part in the opening ceremony of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games tonight

The Birmingham comic will introduce some of the countries as their athletes parade in front of 30,000 people inside Alexander Stadium.

Her involvement is disclosed two days after fellow comedian Joe Lycett revealed that he would be performing the same role for athletes from Asia. He said: ’I’m panicking because I feel like there'll be quite a lot of viewers for it around the world.’

The opening ceremony will air on BBC One from 7pm tonight, and on broadcasters around the world. 30,000 people are expected to be inside the stadium, with many millions more watching around the globe.

Here she is during rehearsals at the stadium:

Duran Duran and Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi have previously been announced as musical acts for tonight's show.

Mirza will be at the Edinburgh Fringe next month for a full run of her show Coconut at the Gilded Balloon.

Published: 28 Jul 2022