Gareth Cliff revealed as roast master in Comedy Central’s Roast of Somizi

Controversial radio host, Gareth Cliff will be the man taking the reins, when South Africa’s comedians and others gather to take jibes at popular TV personality, Somizi.

The former Idols judge was unveiled on Tuesday by Comedy Central as the roastmaster for the pay channel’s “Roast of Somizi”, which will be aired on Monday, 7 May at 21:00 (SAST).

Comedy Central presents the Roast of @somizi , brought to you by @ShowmaxOnline! ????

Whuuuuuu shem! We will be playing magwarana with Somizi Somgaga the Divo on 7 May, be sure to tune in, it’s about to be ???????????? more details here: https://t.co/L6KyUU5cp6 ????????????????????????. #RoastZA pic.twitter.com/pciW9Esbwh

— TheHomeOfComedy (@ComedyCentralAF) March 19, 2018

He’s been googled more than your aunty’s favorite roast pot, Mr. I-said-what-I-said / current chief advocate of freedom of speech and spice ????????…who better for Roast Master than @GarethCliff?? ????????????‍♀????. @showmaxonline #RoastZA pic.twitter.com/pqRTKGiyAg

— TheHomeOfComedy (@ComedyCentralAF) April 10, 2018

Yoh! The clapbacks are real ???????????? Tell us how you really feel! @somizi and @GarethCliff? #RoastZA pic.twitter.com/eoWj0uuh6W

— Showmax (@ShowmaxOnline) April 10, 2018

Cliff will oversee a panel which will consist of funnyman, Schalk Bezuidenhout and artist, Ntsiki Mazwai.

“It’s all about entertaining people,” he said.

“The audience can expect dirty, nasty and funny jokes. Nobody cares, least of all Somizi. So, if you think someone is going to walk away from this hurt and saddened, then you are watching the wrong show. That’s what soap operas are for.  I don’t think I am the scariest person Somizi has come across in this industry. We are going to have lots of info, good stuff and juiciness. Some people will cry but it won’t be Somizi.”

Who is Gareth Cliff?

The shock jock enjoyed a long career at 5FM, hosting the station’s afternoon drive show before moving to its morning show.

His stint at the station was not without controversy, as he often found himself in hot water, most notably for comments made following the passing of former health minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang in 2009.

He also made a foray into TV, with a short-lived talk show on M-Net, before joining Idols as a judge.

At the talent show, his exit was rather unceremonious, as he was initially sacked before he was re-instated as he appealed his dismissal, with the help of Advocate Dali Mpofu. He later resigned, to be replaced by none other than man of the moment, Somizi.

On leaving 5FM, he made the bold move of starting his own internet radio station, Cliff Central.

Tickets for Comedy Central’s Roast of Somizi are currently available on Computicket.

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