Prince Abdi

Prince Abdi (born 1982) is a Somali-born British stand-up comedian, actor and writer.

Early life
Abdi was born in Somalia and came to the United Kingdom with his family in the 1980s. He was bought up in Brixton, London.

Abdi trials for Millwall F.C. and Dulwich Hamlet F.C. but retired at the age of 15 after a bad injury. In 2007, Abdi graduated from Thames Valley University, University of West London with a BA (Hons) in Media.

Stand-up
Abdi was a primary school teacher. However after performing comedy for free for a long time trying to make a name for himself, he gave up his weekend job at B&Q, quit teaching and become a full-time comedian.

He has performed around the United Kingdom at some of the top comedy clubs on the circuit, including Hackney Empire, Edinburgh Festival (2007), Trafalgar Square (Eid In The Square), Jonlgeurs (Various), The Comedy Store (London), Banana Cabaret, Belfast Empire (Northern Ireland), Up-The-Creek, Headliners, The Broadway Theatre, Hounslow Theatre, The Glee Club (Birmingham), Alexander Palace and Rise Festival.

As well as being a regular on the United Kingdom comedy circuit he has performed performed shows in the United States, Canada, Turkey, Holland, Northern Ireland and Kenya. He has supported the likes of Dave Chappelle, Stephen K. Amos, Jack Whitehall and Reginald D. Hunter. Abdi is currently performing live stand stand up comedy nationally and internationally.

Television
Abdi has written and starred in his own television sketch for the BBC, Comedy Central and ITV as well as comedy and drama features. He has performed on Comedy Central’s The World Stands Up, BBC Three’s Laughter Shock and ITV’s FHM Stand Up Hero and ITV’s Show Me The Funny. His other credits include; BBC’s The Wall, Channel 4’s Channel 4 Presents, BBC’s The Jason Lewis Experience and Diary of a Bad Man, episode 10.

In July 2011, Abdi appeared on the ITV reality programme Show Me The Funny. He become the second comedian to be kicked off after he was in the bottom two comedians for the second week running, as decided by judges Alan Davies, Kate Copstick and guest Bob Mortimer.

In July 2011, Abdi also toured with other Muslim comedians on the Peace Youth and Community Trust’s (PYCT) first Muslim Comedy Tour.

Style and reception
Abdi’s comedy subjects are about general topics such as him being from Brixton, observations, his background coming from Somalia.

“Abdi is a London stand-up with roots in Somalia – a heritage he has turned into a genuinely original and refreshing comedy voice. He is one of the most versatile comedians in the country.”

“A relative newcomer who has the material and confidence of a full-time comic.” His versatile and unique story telling makes him a feel good comedian and one to watch.

“He has a lovely style in his delivery - pacy, upbeat and infectious - that makes the audience warm to him. Set pieces such as his Bollywood and Nollywood reconstruction capitalise on that energy well.”

“A refreshing act” – The Guardian. “He has a lovely style in his delivery – pacy, upbeat and infectious – that makes the audience warm to him” – Chortle.

Awards, nominations and recognition
In 2007, Abdi was nominated “Best Newcomer” in the Black Entertainment Comedy Awards, he came third in the Revels Chortle Student Comedy Awards, and won the Your Comedy Star competition at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

In 2011, he came joint second in The Barbican Hackney Empire New Act of the Year competition.

Personal life
Abdi reside in Shoreditch, London, he is married with one child.