Mo Gilligan, the comedian known for his viral social media videos, has become a household name after a career that began in a clothes store. The 38-year-old from Lambeth, London, is celebrated for his observational comedy, mimicking groups of girls on a night out, annoying little brothers, and weird uncles.
Early Career and Viral Fame
Mo started sharing comedy videos while working as a retail assistant at Levi's. His one-minute Instagram clips packed with humour attracted so many fans that customers visited the store to meet him. In 2017, his life changed when rapper Drake noticed a parody clip titled 'Cockney guys when they see a bit of sun'. In the video, Mo, using a cockney accent, exclaimed about the heat and asked for drinks. Drake shared the clip on Instagram, captioning it about the 'Julie bring me a couple cans' weather.
Rise to Stardom
After Drake's shoutout, Mo's stand-up career skyrocketed. He sold out his first UK tour in two minutes. He then co-presented Channel 4's The Big Narstie Show with rapper Big Narstie and later hosted his own show, The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan. He is also a panelist on ITV's The Masked Singer, has presented the Brit Awards, and appears on Celebrity Gogglebox with friend Babatunde Aleshe, an actor and comedian. Despite being born in London, Mo has Welsh roots through his mother, who was born in Barry, and he supported the Welsh football team at the 2016 Euros.
Personal Life and Engagement
Mo was in a relationship with actress Sophie Wise from 2018 to 2022. Wise, known for her role as Carly Bradley in Hollyoaks and appearances in BBC dramas like Holby City and Doctors, kept the romance private. The split was reportedly due to Mo's work commitments, but they remain friends. In 2024, Mo became a father to son Rudi with ex Selina Christoforou. He is now engaged to model Taia Tulher, 28, with whom he welcomed a newborn in summer 2025. Taia, a London-based model, has worked with brands like Chanel on campaigns such as Chanel Noir et blanc and Chanel Haute Couture in 2025.
Celebrity Gogglebox airs Fridays at 9 pm on Channel 4.
