Fatiha El-Ghorri's journey into comedy began with a pop-up advertisement for a standup comedy group, which she stumbled upon while searching for a walking group in her local area. This chance encounter led her to try her hand at comedy, and 10 years later, she has established herself as a talented and versatile performer.
El-Ghorri's experiences have been shaped by her diverse background and personal life, including her two divorces. Her comedy often reflects her ability to find humor in unexpected places, as seen in her debut show, Cockney Stacking Doll. As she notes, the title of her show refers to the multiple layers that make up her personality, much like a Russian stacking doll.
One of El-Ghorri's most memorable gigs was at the Angel Comedy club in London, where 12 hijabs turned up to see her perform. This moment was particularly touching for her, as it showed that her presence on stage could inspire and make a difference for her audience. As she recalls, it was a moment that brought her to tears.
El-Ghorri has also had her fair share of memorable heckling experiences, including one incident at the final of the BBC New Comedy awards 2025. When a man shouted out, "Show us your 9-5's," she and the host, Amy Gledhill, were initially mortified, thinking he wanted them to flash him. However, it turned out that he simply wanted to see her trainers, which were Air Max 95s.
As a comedian, El-Ghorri is aware of the importance of being mindful of her language and content, particularly when performing for family audiences. She has decided to do two family-friendly matinee performances, which will be "proper clean fun" that people can enjoy with their parents. This decision reflects her desire to make her comedy accessible to a wider range of audiences.
El-Ghorri's comedy heroes are not limited to the world of comedy itself. Her maternal grandmother, a strong and hardworking woman, is someone she greatly admires. Growing up, she enjoyed watching French and Saunders, Desmond's, and The Real McCoy, and she also appreciates the work of American standup comedian Neal Brennan.
Despite her success, El-Ghorri has had her share of challenging gigs, including one where she lost her temper on stage. She recalls being shouted at by a group of men who refused to stop heckling, and she eventually ended up shouting back at them. Although the experience was frightening at the time, she can now look back on it and laugh.
One of El-Ghorri's pet peeves in the world of comedy is comedians who run over their allocated time on stage. She believes that this can negatively impact the entire show and affect the other performers. Before going on stage, she has a few preshow rituals, including not eating a meal and doing a little prayer when she is called to perform.
El-Ghorri's debut novel for children, The Perks of My Hijab, is due out next year. The story follows a young girl as she navigates her identity and relationships with her family and friends. El-Ghorri describes the book as "funny and cool," and she is excited for readers to get a sneak peek at what they can expect.
As for what's next for El-Ghorri, she is looking forward to continuing her tour and performing her show, Cockney Stacking Doll, in the UK from 25 April. With her unique blend of humor and vulnerability, she is sure to delight audiences and inspire a new generation of comedy fans. And, as she jokingly adds, she is also on the lookout for a husband – so if you're free on Friday night, she might just have a date for you.
