Allan ‘MC Grindah’ Mustafa: prank calls, insecure men and winding up Jared Leto

Buckle up huns because today’s guest is one of our all-time favourites: fellow Londoner and proper funny man Allan 'Seapa' Mustafa, the BAFTA-winning actor, writer and co-creator of hit crime comedy, The Curse, as well as the ICONIC People Just Do Nothing, the BBC mockumentary series – and feature film – where he played MC Grindah. 

In this hilarious chat, Allan tells us all about the inspiration for PJDN, from his work in a call centre (featuring retellings of some of his best pranks), to the pirate radio and raving scenes he loved, as well as his relationship with weed and partying, and how that has evolved now that he’s a 37-year-old celeb. 

We also get stuck into whether Allan has always been a natural-born performer, how he met his best friends and collaborators Asim, Steve and Hugo, why they never cared about being famous and how he learned to be a brilliant writer and actor, all on the job. Plus: harnessing imposter syndrome, his “celebrity regret” featuring Post Malone, the comedic tragedy of bravado, meeting fans when your persona is so well known and Allan’s top restaurant recommendations (as a bonafide member of food collective Taste Cadets).

Follow Allan on IG @seapa220 and @tastecadets. Watch both series of The Curse now via Channel 4. 

Thank you to our three partners for making this episode possible:

Black Lines, the amazing bottled cocktail company behind the Spicy Tommy's margarita we drank on air. Allan's fave, our fave and this one is utterly delicious – it's our drink of the summer, from festivals and picnics to parties and date nights. Try it for yourself by using the code STRAIGHTUP15 for 15% off at blacklinesdrinks.com

Yonder, the new lifestyle credit card that gives you the most incredible perks, allowing you to convert the money you spend on your card into points that are then redeemable at some of London’s best restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment spots – from Lina Stores to BAO. AND if you join now you get your first 6 months for free! Get yours at yondercard.com

Thank you to Huel for supporting this episode, the game-changing, high protein nutritionally complete meal you can have in a shake that has got both of us into the best shape of our lives, and feeling our healthiest, too! Our fave is the Black Edition – get a free shaker and a T-shirt when you order at ⁠huel.com/straightup

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