“To avoid depression while travelling, I always take loads of items that make me feel connected with home. I can't even explain the joy I felt when I realised I'd remembered to pack my vanilla and mango scented beard oil. The feeling of euphoria was similar to my kids being born.”

British comedian, actor, and presenter

Romesh Ranganathan is a British comedian, actor, and presenter. Known for his deadpan, often self-deprecating style, he has built a career in stand-up and television. His comedy often returns to questions of identity, especially his own description of himself as a British “coconut”, a label he connects to being raised by his mother, Shanthi Ranganathan. That perspective gives much of his work its personal edge, with material shaped by family, culture, and the awkwardness of everyday life.