Hardeep Singh Kohli is a British presenter of Sikh heritage. He is known for his notable appearances across a range of radio and television programs. His contributions as an English television and radio host encompass projects like It'll Never Work and Meet the Magoons, with roles at BBC Television Centre and involvement in the Montreux Comedy Festival. Kohli has been a vocal advocate for Scotland's independence from the United Kingdom. Beyond his media career, he has engaged in acting and directing, with credits including Meet the Magoons (2005), Grease Monkeys (2003), and Single Voices (2000). Kohli also participated as a housemate in Celebrity Big Brother 22 (UK). However, his career has been marred by controversy; in 2009, he faced suspension by the BBC due to allegations of "inappropriate behavior" towards a female production colleague during his role as a reporter on The One Show (2006). Furthermore, he has faced serious accusations of multiple incidents of sexual assault.
Hardeep Singh Kohli, of Sikh heritage, is a British presenter renowned for his appearances on various radio and television shows. He has served as an English television and radio host, contributing to projects like It'll Never Work and Meet the Magoons, and has been involved with BBC Television Centre and the Montreux Comedy Festival. Kohli is an advocate for Scotland's independence, but his career has been clouded by controversies, including a 2009 BBC suspension for alleged "inappropriate behavior" and subsequent serious accusations of multiple sexual assault incidents.
Born on January 21, 1969, in London, England, Hardeep Singh Kohli relocated to Glasgow, Scotland, at the age of four, where he spent his early years. Holding British nationality with a British-Indian ethnic background, Kohli's parents, who hailed from India, carried their roots from the Punjab region. His mother, Kuldip, served as a social worker, while his father, Parduman, transitioned from being a teacher to a prosperous property landlord in the Bishopbriggs suburb. His younger brother is the actor and writer Sanjeev Kohli. Under the Aquarius zodiac sign, he identifies as Christian and marked his 54th birthday in 2023. Kohli's educational journey began at Hillhead Primary School in Glasgow's West End, followed by Meadowburn Primary in Bishopbriggs. He then proceeded to John Ogilvie Hall, the primary school affiliated with St Aloysius' College, a prestigious private Roman Catholic institution in central Glasgow. Kohli pursued Law at the University of Glasgow, earning his degree in 1990. During his university tenure, he gained work experience at a vegetarian restaurant and as an usher at the Citizens Theatre.
After graduating from university, Hardeep Singh Kohli joined the BBC Scotland graduate production trainee scheme and gained experience in directing children's TV at BBC Television Centre, London. He later became a series director on Janet Street-Porter's show "Reportage" in Manchester, notably directing "It'll Never Work," which became the first children's TV series to win awards from both the Royal Television Society and BAFTA in its inaugural season. Kohli ventured into independent work in 1996, directing commercials and occasionally appearing on BBC Radio 5 Live. He wrote, directed, and starred in Channel 4's "Meet the Magoons" in 2004, receiving mixed reviews and limited viewership. In subsequent years, he participated in BBC's "Celebrity MasterChef," presented documentaries on Channel 4, including the first exploration of gambling in "£50 Says You'll Watch This," and engaged in political discussions on BBC panels. Kohli's culinary journey continued with "New British Kitchen" and "Chefs and the City" for UKTV, while also appearing in shows like "Gordon Ramsay: Cook Along Live" and a celebrity edition of "The Apprentice." He explored cultural identity and social issues in documentaries like "In Search of the Tartan Turban" and hosted a variety of series, including CBBC's "Get 100." However, his career hit setbacks, including a suspension from "The One Show" due to allegations of "inappropriate behavior" towards a researcher. Kohli entered the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2018, ultimately becoming the fifth housemate to be evicted.
Hardeep Singh Kohli, a versatile presenter, and journalist, has made significant contributions to the world of broadcasting and writing. Notably, he wrote and presented "Hippy Trail" on BBC Radio 4, which examined the overland journey of hippies to India in the 1960s, drawing both praise and criticism for his approach. He further showcased his hosting prowess through programs like "Where Scotland Meets England" and "Where England Meets Wales." In 2010, Radio 2 aired "Great British Faith," a captivating series delving into the spiritual history of six British cities, earning acclaim for Kohli's profound portrayal of urban spiritual landscapes. His BBC Radio 4 documentary "The Loneliness of the Goalkeeper," produced by Adam Fowler, clinched the Third Coast Directors' Choice Award in 2010. Demonstrating his linguistic expertise, Kohli's "15 by 15" series about words and language secured a Silver at the New York Radio Festival in 2011. Kohli's engaging series "Hardeep’s Sunday Lunch," combining personal narratives with cooking, debuted in 2012 and enjoyed continued success up to the sixth series. Beyond the airwaves, Kohli made his mark in journalism, penning the "Hardeep is your Love" column for Scotland on Sunday from 2007 to 2009. His bylines extended to renowned publications including The Guardian, The Observer, GQ magazine, Metro, The Spectator, and The Independent. As a feature writer for High Life Magazine, he gained recognition with a nomination for the AITO Travel Writer of the Year in 2014. Notably, he assumed the role of food writer at the Daily Record and contributed to the Sunday Herald from mid-2014 to the close of 2015.
Kohli made a vibrant mark on various creative fronts. His debut one-man show, "The Nearly Naked Chef," premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2009, becoming the pioneering live curry cooking comedy show. Following this, he showcased his comedic evolution with subsequent performances like "Hardeep is Your Love" in 2014 and "Bigmouth Strikes Again" in 2015, while his music-inspired show "Mixtape: My Life Through Music" in 2016 was praised for its potential for further development. Kohli's literary pursuits included "Indian Takeaway" (2008), a book on food and travel in India, although The Guardian found it 'likeable but clumsy'. He expanded his influence as a Man Booker Prize judge in 2008 and actively contributed to the cultural landscape by serving on the board of the National Theatre of Scotland and attaining the status of Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2017, also assuming the role of Creative Director at the Innovation Academy. Additionally, Kohli's hosting finesse was evident as he helmed the Brit Asia TV Music Awards in 2010, 2011, and 2012, adding another facet to his dynamic creative journey.
Hardeep Singh Kohli was previously married to Shamila Singh and the couple has two children together. However, they divorced in 2009. Presently, Kohli is single and there have been no reported affairs since his divorce. His sexual orientation is straight.
In 2020, Hardeep Singh Kohli faced allegations of sexual harassment from multiple women, including those within the comedy industry. The accusations stemmed from an incident at a show where he reportedly offered to use his influence to advance a younger performer's career, with Lulu Popplewell asserting that this offer was accompanied by an inappropriate invitation to spend the night in his bed, accusing him of abuse of power. In response, Kohli acknowledged that his actions and words had made women feel intimidated and undervalued, offering an unreserved apology and a commitment to greater understanding. However, in a turn of events in 2023, on August 9th, Kohli was arrested and charged with "non-recent" sexual offenses. At 54 years old, he is scheduled to appear in court at a later date, following an investigation initiated by The Times in 2020 in which concerns were raised about his behavior.
Hardeep Singh Kohli is a talented British media personality renowned for his presence on radio and television. By 2023, his net worth is estimated to be around $5 million, primarily stemming from his accomplishments within the entertainment sector. Presently earning an annual salary exceeding $500,000, he finds contentment in his financial situation and enjoys a comfortable and stylish lifestyle.
Kohli holds the distinction of being the inaugural Sikh chef on international television, with his passion for food leading to prominent roles in various culinary shows, including "Celebrity Master Chef," where he reached the finals. His culinary endeavors also encompassed unique projects like "The Nearly Naked Chef," a live curry cooking show, and "Chat Masala." In addition, he authored a book centered on food titled "Indian Takeaway – A Very British Story," which was published in 2008.
Hardeep Singh Kohli has a sibling, his younger brother being Sanjeev Kohli. Sanjeev Kohli is an accomplished film and television actor, as well as a writer, contributing to his family's creative endeavors.
Hardeep Singh Kohli has experienced both marriage and divorce. He was previously married to Shamila Singh, and the two have two children from their union. Unfortunately, their marriage came to an end in 2009 when they got divorced, marking a significant chapter in Kohli's personal life.
In 2008, Hardeep Singh Kohli demonstrated his filmmaking prowess by creating a documentary titled "The Beginner's Guide to L. Ron Hubbard." Additionally, he contributed his insights as a film critic on BBC Radio 5 Live, showcasing his multifaceted talents in the realm of cinema and media.
In the 1960s, Hardeep Singh Kohli's parents embarked on a journey of immigration from India to the UK, with ancestral roots in Punjab. Settling in the Bishopbriggs suburb, his father transitioned from being a teacher to becoming a landlord of a prosperous estate, while his mother embraced a career as a social worker. Kohli's educational journey began at Hillhead Primary School in Glasgow's West End, followed by Meadowburn Primary in Bishopbriggs, setting the foundation for his diverse and accomplished path ahead.