Blackburn comedian Tez Ilyas is set to star in a new CBeebies series that starts today (October 19).

Tez Ilyas has landed a voice acting role for children’s show Nikhil & Jay.

The show follows the adventures of two young brothers, whose mum is Indian by heritage and dad is English. With both Indian and English grandparents, their life is a rich blend of customs, traditions, festivals, foods and music.

The former Witton Park High School pupil voices friend and neighbour, Mr Awan.

Tez said: “Delighted to announce that I’ll be starring in new CBeebies series: Nikhil & Jay! It starts at 10.15am, on Saturday, October 19. I play cool uncle, Mr Awan.”

Tez IlyasTez Ilyas (Image: NQ) Nikhil & Jay is said to celebrates the similarities and differences between Asian and English culture, with funny and relatable stories that authentically represent dual heritage British Asian children. British Tamil actor Charithra Chandran leads the voice cast as mum Amma.

Making their voiceover debuts in the title roles are seven-year olds Shiv Senthilkumar and Sai Ganesh Nadesan who voice Nikhil and Jay respectively and who are proud of their Tamil heritage.

Nikhil & JayNikhil & Jay (Image: BBC)

Kate Morton, senior head of commissioning for CBeebies says: “Seeing your life and all its traditions and values reflected on screen is so important for little ones and their development as they make sense of the world around them. Nikhil & Jay will bring viewers together from across cultures with heart-warming stories of British Asian family life.”

It is not the first time Tez has been on our screens this year, appearing on Channel 4’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Sadly, Tez didn’t last long on the show, which aired in September, only making it to the third episode.

Tez was partnered with reality television star, Pete Wicks, and they were tasked with carrying heavy equipment across icy terrain.

The task proved too difficult for Tez who was forced to quit the show.

On the show, he said: “I am not physically fit at all. I think the physical side of things is going to be tough. I don’t care about excelling or being the best at these tasks. I don’t need to be first I just want to pass.”

Nikhil & Jay launches on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer from Saturday, October 19.