Baz Ashmawy

{{Short description|Irish radio and television personality, actor, writer}} {{EngvarB|date=October 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Baz Ashmawy | image = Baz Ashmawy 2017.jpg | caption =  | birth_name = Bazil Ashmawy | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|04|09|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Libya]] | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | known_for = {{ubl|'' 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy'' | ''Faithless TV Series'' | ''That Baz Thing'' | ''The Fanatics'' | ''How Low Can You Go?'' | ''[[Fáilte Towers]]'' | ''Baz's Culture Clash'' | ''Baz's Extreme Worlds'' | ''Weekend Breakfast with Baz & Lucy'' | ''Baz The Lost Muslim'' | ''Change Your Tune'' | '' DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland ''| ''Best Place To Be''}} | awards = {{ubl|International Emmy Award for [[International Emmy Award for best Non-Scripted Entertainment|Best Non-Scripted Entertainment award]] | [[IFTA Award]]}} | education = | occupation =TV and Radio Presenter / Actor / Writer | title = | children = 2 | parents = | relatives = | signature = | website = | footnotes = }} '''Bazil Ashmawy''', commonly known as '''Baz Ashmawy''', is an Irish radio and television personality, whose TV show ''50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy'' won the International Emmy Award for [[International Emmy Award for best Non-Scripted Entertainment|Best Non-Scripted Entertainment award]]. In 2024, Baz created, wrote and starred a TV Series ''Faithless'' for [[Virgin Media Television (Ireland)|Virgin Media Television]]. Baz hosts ''The Money List'' and '' Best Place To Be'' for [[RTÉ One]] and both shows have been renewed for a second seasons. Baz also is the host of ''DIYSOS The Big Build Ireland''. In summer 2017, he hosted ''That Baz Thing'' on [[RTÉ Radio 1]]. Ashmawy co-hosted ''Weekend Breakfast with Baz & Lucy'' on [[RTÉ 2fm]] in 2010, and co-presented the 2008 reality show ''[[Fáilte Towers]]'' on RTÉ One, as well as the popular travel show ''How Low Can You Go'' on [[RTÉ Two]]. In 2018 he began presenting [[ITV (TV Network)|ITV's]] new singing show – [[Change Your Tune]].

==Early life== According to an article in [[The Nationalist (Carlow)|''The Nationalist'' (Carlow)]], Ashmawy's mother Nancy is from Ballycoog, [[Avoca, County Wicklow]]<ref name="Nationalist">{{cite news |url=http://www.carlow-nationalist.ie/news/story/?trs=mhmhmheyoj&cat=news |title=TV's Baz sets out to make the Billies kings of the screen |first=Brendan |last=Lawrence |archive-date=26 October 2008 |work=[[The Nationalist (Carlow)|The Nationalist]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026130953/http://www.carlow-nationalist.ie/news/story/?trs=mhmhmheyoj&cat=news |date=9 January 2008 |access-date=26 September 2007 |url-status = dead }}</ref> although Ashmawy was born in [[Libya]] and is part-[[Egyptians|Egyptian]].<ref name="wick">{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/news/baz-hopes-to-lead-the-billies-to-glory/27836961.html |url-status = live|work=[[Wicklow People]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506115645/http://www.wicklowpeople.ie/news/baz-hopes-to-lead-the-billies-to-glory-1247911.html |title=Baz' hopes to lead the Billies to glory |date=13 December 2007 |archive-date=6 May 2008 |first=Rob |last=Stilling}}</ref> He moved to Ireland at age eight and grew up in the Dublin suburb of [[Churchtown, Dublin|Churchtown]] and attended [[Catholic University School|CUS Leeson Street]] for a period of time.<ref name="Joker">{{cite news |url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A191613159/GPS?sid=wikipedia |title=Playing the joker; Time and place Baz Ashmawy; The RTE presenter tells Kate Butler about his misguided teenage years when he was surrounded by nurses |work=Sunday Times |date =4 January 2009 |page=9}}{{subscription required|via=[[Academic OneFile]]}}</ref>

==Career== Ashmawy is best known{{cn|date=July 2023}} for ''50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3969754/|title=50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy|date=25 August 2014|via=IMDb}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=May 2021|reason=The cited source does not provide verification that he is 'best known' for acting in this show.}} which was first broadcast on Sky 1. The show is based on Baz inserting his 71-year-old mother Nancy into various dare-devil situations, and documenting her typical "[[Irish mammy]]" reactions to the situations.<ref>[http://www.sky.com/tv/show/50-ways-to-kill-your-mammy] ''[[sky]]'' (Saturday 27 September 2014)</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/baz-ashmawy-america|work=evoke.ie|title=From Dublin to Hollywood! Baz Ashmawy's ''50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy'' hits American shores|date=16 January 2014}}</ref>

In November 2015 ''50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy'' won the [[International Emmy Award for best Non-Scripted Entertainment|Best Non-Scripted Entertainment award]] at the [[43rd International Emmy Awards#Non-Scripted Entertainment|2015 International Emmy Awards]].<ref name = "IntEmmy"/><ref name="evoke.ie">{{cite news| url= http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/success-50-ways-to-kill-your-mammy-is-nominated-for-an-emmy/ |work=evoke.ie |title= Success! 50 Ways To Kill Your Mammy is nominated for an Emmy| date= 6 October 2015}}</ref>

Prior to that, Ashmawy was on the popular [[RTÉ Two]] travel show, ''How Low Can You Go?''<ref>[http://www.goracing.ie/Content/hri/hrinews.aspx?id=6282] Horse Racing Ireland</ref> where he appeared with co-presenters Mark O'Neill and Michael Hayes. In remarking on his experiences with that show, Ashmawy said that he loved [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] where he received a [[lap dance]] from (as he describes) 'a former [[prostitute|hooker]] who looked like she was in her late 50s' and said of his experiences on the [[movie set|set]] of a [[porn movie]] in California that 'We saw things there that will be in our minds for a very long time.'<ref name="indep">{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/so-how-low-did-they-go-1345797.html |title=So, how low did they go? |work=[[Irish Independent]] |date=12 April 2008 |access-date=12 October 2015}}</ref>

Ashmawy is also a [[sports fan]] who tried his skill at [[Gaelic Athletic Association|GAA]] management on the RTÉ show<ref name="wick"/> ''[[Celebrity Bainisteoir]]''.<ref name="tower">{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/tv/failtetowers/presenters.html |year=2008 |publisher=[[RTÉ One]] |title=Fáilte Towers}}</ref><ref name="pho">[http://www.anphoblacht.com/news/detail/27382] ''[[An Phoblacht]]'' (17 April 2008)</ref><ref>[http://www.rte.ie/tv/ttv/theonceaweekshow/theonceaweekshow_20080419_av.html?2364429,240,230] The Once a Week Show</ref> According to ''[[The Irish Times]]'', Ashmawy managed managing his team while wearing 'nicely polished footwear'.<ref name="future">[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2008/0405/1207319036648.html] ''The Irish Times'' (Saturday, 5 April 2008) Back to a familiar future</ref> When asked in an [[RTÉ Sport]] interview who he would like to see win the [[2007 Rugby World Cup]], Ashmawy joked that he was 'not going for the patriotic 'Go Ireland' I'd have to say [[New Zealand]]...typical. How boring is that. Think I've made myself feel a little sick there saying that. I'm going back....'GO IRELAND!'<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/worldcup2007/qtbazashmawy.html |title=RTÉ Sport: Quick Tap: Baz Ashmawy |website=[[RTÉ.ie]] |access-date=13 August 2008 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025105319/http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/worldcup2007/qtbazashmawy.html |archive-date=25 October 2008 }} RTÉ Sport Quick Tap: Baz Ashmawy</ref>

He appeared in Jason Byrne's award-winning prank series ''[[Anonymous (TV series)|Anonymous]]''. He later appeared numerous times on RTÉ One's flagship travel show ''No Frontiers'' before venturing into his own solo project ''Baz's Culture Clash'' on RTÉ Two, which he began filming in September 2008 and finished the following April,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iftn.ie/news/BroadcastNews/?act1=record&aid=73&rid=4282501&tpl=archnews&only=1|title=‘Baz’s Culture Clash’ Invades our Screens|publisher=[[Irish Film and Television Network]]|date=2009-09-14|accessdate=2009-10-16}}</ref> travelling the world to film it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/2008--the-year-baz-found-fame-and-fell-in-love-1587301.html|title=2008 -- the year Baz found fame and fell in love|date=2008-12-29|accessdate=2009-10-16|publisher=[[Evening Herald]]|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20091005134902/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/2008--the-year-baz-found-fame-and-fell-in-love-1587301.html|archivedate=5 October 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/baz-ashmawy-1586171.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217182716/http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/baz-ashmawy-1586171.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 February 2013|title=Baz Ashmawy|publisher=[[Irish Independent]]|date=2008-12-27|accessdate=2009-10-16}}</ref> It was aired during September and October 2009. It had initially been expected to air in March 2009.<ref name=hell-raising>{{cite web|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/the-biggest-shock-of-2008-as-hellraising-baz-vows-to-give-up-booze-in-2009-for-a-while-at-least-1588734.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217212204/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/the-biggest-shock-of-2008-as-hellraising-baz-vows-to-give-up-booze-in-2009-for-a-while-at-least-1588734.html|url-status=dead |archive-date=17 February 2013|title=The biggest shock of 2008 as hell-raising Baz vows to give up booze in 2009 (for a while, at least...)|publisher=[[Evening Herald]]|date=2008-12-31|accessdate=2009-10-16}}</ref> For the series Ashmawy visited a [[coven]] of [[Witchcraft|witch]]es in [[Kells, County Meath|Kells]], [[County Meath]] and underwent hypnosis to allow him to meet his Egyptian ancestors.<ref name="Our love-hate relationship with Ireland's sexiest man">{{cite web|author=Anrea Byrne |url=http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/celebrity-news-gossip/our-lovehate-relationship-with-irelands-sexiest-man-1891679.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021071823/http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/celebrity-news-gossip/our-lovehate-relationship-with-irelands-sexiest-man-1891679.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-10-21 |title=Our love-hate relationship with Ireland's sexiest man|publisher=[[Irish Independent]]|date=2009-09-20|accessdate=2009-10-16}}</ref><ref name=hell-raising/><ref name="Baz spooked by ghostly goings on as he films in supermarket"/> Ashmawy also visited a [[haunted house]] with a group called "[[Leinster]] Paranormal".<ref name=hell-raising/> He also teamed up with a group of ghostbusters to visit the haunted [[Carlow]] Shopping Centre where a little girl and some former prisoners from the old county jail were among the ghosts which were said to haunt the building.<ref name="Baz left spooked by shopping centre visit">{{cite web|author=Elizabeth Lee |url=http://www.carlowpeople.ie/local-notes/baz-left-spooked-by-shopping-centre-visit-1887006.html |title=Baz left spooked by shopping centre visit|date=2009-09-15|accessdate=2009-10-16|publisher=[[Carlow People]]|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055636/http://www.carlowpeople.ie/local-notes/baz-left-spooked-by-shopping-centre-visit-1887006.html|archivedate=16 July 2011|df=dmy}}</ref> The episode in the shopping centre was filmed at night and in one incident a member of Ashmawy's film crew collapsed without explanation when his body was invaded.<ref name="Baz spooked by ghostly goings on as he films in supermarket">{{cite web|author=Aoife Anderson|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/baz-spooked-by-ghostly-goings-on-as-he-films-in-supermarket-1895301.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217225744/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/baz-spooked-by-ghostly-goings-on-as-he-films-in-supermarket-1895301.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 February 2013|title=Baz spooked by ghostly goings on as he films in supermarket|publisher=[[Evening Herald]]|date=2009-09-24|accessdate=2009-10-16}}</ref> In another episode Ashmawy met a man whose diet consisted of [[roadkill]], including [[badger]]s and cats.<ref name="Our love-hate relationship with Ireland's sexiest man"/> The series was poorly received. ''[[Irish Independent]]'' critic John Boland wrote of the first episode that it "gives a new meaning to the notion of meaninglessness", and questioned the purpose of a show where Ashmawy "grinned and grimaced his way through southern [[California]] in an unserious search of alternative therapies".<ref name="The gong for Worst show goes to . . .">{{cite web|author=John Boland|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/the-gong-for-worst--show-goes-to-1891286.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923170223/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/the-gong-for-worst--show-goes-to-1891286.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-09-23|title=The gong for Worst show goes to . . .|publisher=[[Irish Independent]]|date=2009-09-19 |accessdate=2009-10-16}}</ref> Hilary Fannin wrote in ''[[The Irish Times]]'' that a later episode "investigated (well, that might be too strong a word for it – let's say glossed over) the world of the paranormal".<ref name="Getting jiggy with it">{{cite web|author=Hilary Fannin|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2009/1003/1224255760115.html|title=Getting jiggy with it|publisher=[[The Irish Times]]|date=2009-10-03|accessdate=2009-10-16|quote=Skirting the precipice of RTÉ2's Monday-night comedy zone, Baz Ashmawy, an easygoing chap with the leather jacket and sexed-up self-effacement that are obligatory for television presenters nowadays, got all spooky on ''Baz's Culture Clash'', which this week investigated (well, that might be too strong a word for it – let's say glossed over) the world of the paranormal.}}</ref> Paul Whitington wrote in the ''[[Irish Independent]]'' that the subjects covered in the series were "new-age nonsense".<ref name="Just for laughs">{{cite web|author=Paul Whitington|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/just-for-laughs-1884916.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914185614/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/just-for-laughs-1884916.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-09-14|title=Just for laughs |publisher=[[Irish Independent]]|date=2009-09-12|accessdate=2009-10-16}}</ref> His next project ''Baz's Extreme Worlds'' aired on 10 May 2010.

In addition to appearing on as television host, Ashmawy is an actor who has appeared in television dramas and other programmes.<ref name="imdb">[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1945245/] IMDb: Bazil Ashawmy</ref> He has also appeared in a plays and short films.<ref name="tower"/> Although he says that comedy comes naturally to him, his [[Dramaturgy|dramaturgical]] background has led him to productions of classical theatre and the works of [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]].<ref name="indep"/>

In April 2015, Ashmawy hosted the [[Sky 1]] quiz show "Fanatics" where fanatics of various things (e.g. ''[[Doctor Who]]'') are tested on their knowledge of these things<ref name="Fanatics">{{cite web|url=https://corporate.sky.com/media-centre/news-page/2014/baz-ashmawy-to-host-super-fan-show-the-fanatics-for-sky-1 |title=Baz Ashmawy to host super fan show The Fanatics for Sky 1 |publisher=[[BSkyB]]| date=2 October 2014}}</ref>

===''50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy''=== The series was born after Ashmawy's mum and co-star Nancy, 72, announced that she wanted to do a skydive. The first series was one of the most watched programmes on Sky 1 in Ireland in 2014; season 2 was considered{{who|date=April 2017}} as delightful as the first.

The show has been licensed by Sky Vision into over 150 territories worldwide, including Canada, Australia, China, and the Middle-East. Local versions of the show have been produced in a number of key territories, including Denmark (two series), Holland and Belgium with several countries picking up the ''50 Way to Kill your Mammy'' format, making this Sky Vision's most successful factual entertainment property to date.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skymedia.ie/news/50-ways-to-kill-your-mammy-nominated-at-the-2015-emmy-awards/ |title=''50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy'' nominated at the 2015 Emmy® Awards |publisher=[[Sky Ireland]] |date=7 October 2015 |access-date=15 April 2018 }}</ref>

In November 2015 ''50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy'' won the [[International Emmy Award for best Non-Scripted Entertainment|Best Non-Scripted Entertainment award]] at the [[43rd International Emmy Awards#Non-Scripted Entertainment|2015 International Emmy Awards]].<ref name = "IntEmmy">{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/baz-and-mammy-nancy-bag-international-emmy-award-for-50-ways-to-kill-your-mammy-34228428.html |work=[[Irish Independent]] |date=24 November 2015 |title=Baz and mammy Nancy bag international Emmy Award for 50 Ways to kill your mammy |access-date=24 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="evoke.ie"/>

In 2016, Sky 1 aired the 3rd season of the show in a new twist to the show's format, where four new Mammies joined Baz and Nancy on their travels, changing the show to be known as ''50 Ways to Kill Your Mammies''.

On 12 October 2017, Ashmawy announced on Twitter that he and Nancy would be filming a one off Christmas special broadcast exclusively on [[RTÉ]] Ireland. This was followed, on 12 November, by a series of [[Snapchat]] videos of Nancy, Baz and the production crew at Dublin airport waiting to fly out to Rome for filming.

===''Change Your Tune''=== Ashmawy hosted the music game show ''Change Your Tune'' that aired on ITV from 1 April to 20 May 2018. Produced by Twofour and filmed at The London Studios, the six-episode series featured some of the UK's worst singers. They received intensive vocal coaching over several weeks to improve, before performing again for a chance to win a £10,000 cash prize.

The show's theme music was composed by Andrei Basirov and Toby Jarvis of A MNEMONIC, with vocals by Nick Cox and Kaia McTernan. Upon debut, it garnered significant attention particularly as many viewers initially believed it to be an elaborate April Fools' Day joke. However, after struggling to attract a sizeable audience (peaking at around 300,000 viewers), ITV rescheduled it to an afternoon slot and ultimately cancelled the show following its first series.

==Radio== In July 2017, Ashmawy hosted his radio show ''That Baz Thing'' on [[RTÉ Radio 1]].<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.rte.ie/radio1/that-baz-thing/programmes/2017/0705/888116-this-baz-thing-wednesday-5-july-2017/ |title=That Baz Thing Wednesday 5 July 2017 - That Baz Thing - RTÉ Radio 1}}</ref> On his show he interviewed different 3 guests every week as he explores a broad range of issues, including parenting, health, happiness and relationships.

Ashmawy co-hosted ''Weekend Breakfast with Baz & Lucy'' on [[RTÉ 2fm]] with ''Lucy Kennedy'' for 2 years.

==Legal Issues== ===Arrest and suspension=== On 4 March 2011, Ashmawy's employer, [[RTÉ]], suspended Mr. Ashmawy for a period of one month following a drink driving incident the previous weekend.<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0304/breaking59.html] ''[[Irish Times]]'' (Friday 4 March 2011)</ref> His driving licence was suspended for two years as a result of the arrest and conviction<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vipmagazine.ie/baz-ashmawy-opens-up-about-why-he-hasnt-drank-alcohol-in-over-a-year/|title=Baz Ashmawy on why he doesn't drink|date=10 July 2017|website=VIP Magazine}}</ref>

==Opel deal== {{Further|RTÉ secret payment scandal}}

Ashmawy is a "brand ambassador" for [[Opel]], a deal arranged by his agent, Noel Kelly of NK Management. The deal proved controversial as it coincided with revelations about [[Ryan Tubridy]]'s extra wages and the [[RTÉ secret payment scandal]] .<ref name=agent>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/deals-on-wheels-the-rte-stars-driving-cars-worth-up-to-70000-thanks-to-lucrative-brand-tie-ups/a1984705757.html|title=Deals on wheels: The RTÉ stars driving cars worth up to €70,000 thanks to lucrative brand tie-ups|work=[[Irish Independent]]|first=Ellen|last=Coyne|date=1 July 2023|accessdate=3 July 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life== He has two daughters Hanna and Mahy. He is also stepfather to four other kids from a previous relationship (Charlotte, Harry, Jake and Amelia). One of his lungs collapsed on a transatlantic flight and he underwent double-lung surgery.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120115210543/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/home-terror-for-tvs-baz-as-gang-of-raiders-smash-into-house-with-concrete-slab-2987328.html] ''[[Evening Herald]]'' (Wednesday 12 January 2012)</ref><ref name="Irishman Abroad">{{cite podcast |author-link=Jarlath Regan |author=Jarlath Regan |edition=108 |work=[[An Irishman Abroad]] |title=Baz Ashmawy |url=https://soundcloud.com/an-irishman-abroad/baz-ashmawy-episode-108 |date=11 October 2015 |access-date=12 October 2015}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|1945245}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ashmawy, Basil}} [[Category:1975 births]] [[Category:20th-century Irish people]] [[Category:21st-century Irish people]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Irish people of Egyptian descent]] [[Category:RTÉ 2fm presenters]] [[Category:RTÉ television presenters]] [[Category:People educated at Catholic University School]] [[Category:People from Churchtown, Dublin]] [[Category:Broadcasters from County Dublin]] [[Category:Irish people of Libyan descent]]