Radio host to make his comedy debut

Broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake is turning his hand to stand-up for the first time.

The former host of Radio 1’s weekend breakfast show and now presenter of Radio 5’s Headliners interview show is making his debut at London’s Battersea Arts Centre on July.

The event kicks off the Sri Lankan Culture Collective festival, showcasing the nation’s food and culture.

Arthanayake said: ‘So, instead of buying a motorbike to deal with my mid-life crisis I have decided that I want to be a stand-up comedian. And where better to do my debut stand-up gig than surrounded by Sri Lankans who will throw piles of kotthu at me if I am rubbish.’

The broadcaster started out as a rapper performing as MC Krayzee A before turning to journalism and radio hosting.  He occasionally presents Loose Ends on BBC Radio 4.

In November 2023, he said that working within an ‘overwhelmingly white’ environment at the BBC depressed him and affected his mental health  ‘that I walk in and all I see is white people’.

The founders of the Sri Lankan Culture Collective say they were ‘thrilled’ to host Arthanayake’s ‘highly anticipated stand-up comedy debut’, adding in a statement: ‘Nihal is a passionate advocate for Sri Lankan diaspora arts and culture and it’s an honour to have him join us to co-headline our comedy line-up. SLCC is about creativity, community and collaboration and the programme is unique in its

His performance comes as part of an event showcasing a number of different artforms, with the comedy bill also including Eshaan Akbar, Stella Graham,  Hari Kanth, Dipak Patel and Dushy Gnanakumar. Tickets here.

Published: 1 Jul 2025