Humza Arshad MBE

Humza Arshad MBE is an English actor, comedian and writer of Pakistani heritage, widely recognised as the creator of ‘Diary of a Badman’. A trailblazer of British online comedy, he built one of the UK’s most successful digital brands from scratch and was later appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to education, marking a defining moment in his career.

Born and raised in South London, to Punjabi Muslim parents, Humza grew up navigating two cultures, an experience that would later shape his voice as a performer. He studied Performing Arts at Croydon College, completed a BTEC National Diploma at Kingston College and graduated from Richmond Drama School with a degree in drama. Before comedy became his full-time focus, he worked part-time as a waiter in an Asian wedding hall, observing family dynamics and community life that would later inspire his characters. In 2010, he created ‘Diary of a Badman’, writing, producing, directing and starring in the series himself. Shot with minimal resources, the series quickly gained momentum, and by 2011 one episode had become one of the most viewed YouTube videos in the UK. The show’s popularity led to The Badman Comedy Tour, selling out venues across eight UK cities and establishing Humza as a live performer with serious reach.

Humza’s career expanded beyond YouTube when he became the first British YouTuber to front his own scripted comedy series on BBC Three, starring in ‘Coconut’. He later appeared in television programmes including ‘Wild Wild Web’ as a presenter and featured in numerous BBC productions. His creative range extends to writing and filmmaking; his short film ‘Hate’ received critical acclaim for its exploration of Islamophobia and extremism. As an author, he co-created the bestselling ‘Little Badman’ children’s book series with Penguin Random House. Alongside his creative achievements, Humza worked closely with the Metropolitan Police and East Midlands Police, delivering workshops in over 100 schools and speaking to more than 100,000 young people about radicalisation and online safety. In recognition of this commitment to youth engagement and education, he was appointed MBE in the 2021 New Year Honours.

As a speaker, Humza combines humour with substance, creating space for open, honest conversation. He speaks on identity, faith, representation, resilience and countering extremism, drawing directly from his lived experience. His sessions balance entertainment with insight, using storytelling to connect with audiences from corporate leaders to students. Organisations book Humza because he communicates complex issues in a way that feels relatable and grounded. He leaves audiences energised, reflective and ready to engage more thoughtfully with the communities around them.