Ria Lina is a touring comedian, actress and writer – and a winner of the EMMA award for Best Comedian – known for her appearances on BBC’s Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, The Now Show and Mock The Week – and was recently named as one of The Evening Standard’s ‘Hottest Comedians You Should Be Watching Now’.
Throughout her stand-up career Ria has taken five shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and toured theatres across the UK with her work tackling topics such as autism, topical news and racial identity. Her career stretches from stage and screen, to radio and the occasional ukulele – all in a unique style described by ‘The Scotsman’ as ‘fearless , provocative and very funny’.
Ria is currently the only female Filipina comedian in British stand up and has a BSc in Experimental Pathology, an MSc in Forensic Science and a PhD in Virology under her belt, so it’s not only Ria’s comedy that’s highly intelligent. A regular pundit on Sky News, BBC News, Steph’s Packed Lunch, The Jeremy Vine Show, Times Radio and TalkRadio, Ria is in demand for both her scientific insight, confident delivery and biting wit. Quiz shows are no problem either – Ria has won Celebrity Mastermind, Captained her team on Eggheads, taken on Richard Osman’s House of Game and even guest presented BBC1’s Pointless with Alexandra Armststrong.
A prolific writer, Ria has written for the Ladyboys of Bangkok ‘Fantasy & Feathers’ and ‘Glamorous Amorous’ tours, and wrote and acted in ITV2 comedy sketch show ‘Meet the Blogs’. She has also written and presented her own Channel 4 documentary that revealed the truth behind the myths that surround East Asian women in Britain.
‘Fearless, provocative and very funny’
Scotsman
‘Engaging, endearing and eye-opening’
Time Out
‘She’s like a Filipina Sarah Silverman’
Dusty Limits
‘Slickly done – there’s no denying that the girl’s got talent’
Chortle
Catch Ria on her latest UK wide tour ‘Riawakening’ – extended into 2024 due to phenomenal demand!
