Tez Ilyas has said that comedy may not change people’s minds but it can help them re-evaluate their opinions.

He was speaking ahead of his debut 26-date UK tour this spring which will see him travel across the country culminating in a show at Bordon’s Phoenix Arts Theatre on May 25.

It includes a five-date run at London’s Soho Theatre.

‘Made In Britain’ will also see him perform in Blackburn and Bradford which he is looking forward too.

He said: “A lot of the venues are really new to me, as are the towns I’m playing. But it’s really exciting and I can’t wait.

“Touring is fun, I get to see parts of Britain that I wouldn’t normally do. For example recently, I drove past Stonehenge, I wasn’t expecting it but it just popped up to my right, that was a nice surprise.

“Obviously I can’t wait to play Blackburn, but also Manchester, Bradford, Birmingham and Glasgow will be really fun.

“The people of Blackburn have an amazing sense of humour.

“We are super dry and very witty. I’ve been all around the world and some of the funniest people I know to this day are from Blackburn (and even my own family).”

In recent months Tez has appeared on Comedy Channel and was also spotted with comedy legend Lenny Henry.

He also played Rashid in the BBC Radio 4 sitcom ‘Rashid goes to Hollywood’.

The ‘Made in Britain’ tour comes on the back of his critically-acclaimed show ‘Tez Talks’.

He said: “It’s a really fun show.

“It’s been well received by audiences and critics at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, so I hope the rest of country likes it just as much.

“There’s a few revelations about me that people may be surprised about, but really I just want to show audiences how funny I am.

“Oh and I’ll also have some excellent support acts with me, one at each show, including: Guz Khan, Sindhu Vee and Kate Lucas.”

"To be honest, I don’t think comedy can change people’s minds, all we can do is hold up a mirror to society and say ‘take a look at yourselves’.

"Change must come from within ourselves and by communities reaching out to each other.

“I’m sure people will have seen me in comedy clubs that hold a certain opinion about Muslims and/or Asians and maybe I’ve helped them question their perceptions and assumptions, but that is an internal struggle they’ll have to come to terms with."

Later this year he will be back with a new show at the Edinburgh Fringe.

“After the tour, I’m going to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with a new show called Teztify and hopefully more TV (sitcom) and national radio stuff.”

Tez in is Blackburn at King George’s Hall on April 25. For tickets call 01254 582579.

He will also be in Manchester at the Frog and Bucket on April 9. For tickets call 0161 236 9805.