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Who is Riyadh Khalaf? Celebrity MasterChef winner and YouTuber

IRISH YouTuber Riyadh Khalaf has made his name as an online personality, author, and activist.

The star became a household name after winning the 15th series of Celebrity MasterChef.

Who is Riyadh Khalaf?

Riyadh is an Irish YouTuber, author, podcaster, presenter, and LGBTQ+ activist.

He's born on 7 February 1991 and grew up in the coastal town of Bray in County Wicklow, Ireland, where his parents still live.

His mother, Lorraine is Irish and his father Sam is Iraqi.

He began his YouTube career while he was still at school when he started uploading videos to his channel called RiyadhK.

 YouTuber Riyadh Khalaf won Celebrity MasterChef in 2020
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YouTuber Riyadh Khalaf won Celebrity MasterChef in 2020

His YouTube videos are mainly on showbiz, pop culture, and lifestyle.

Khalaf featured in the 2010 documentary series Growing Up Gay, in which he discussed coming out to his Catholic mother and Muslim father.

Before finding fame on YouTube, he was on track to becoming a pilot, finishing his initial training.

In 2020, Khalaf won the 15th series of Celebrity MasterChef, and dedicated his semi-final dishes to his father.

Does Riyadh Khalaf have a boyfriend?

Riyadh is in a relationship with fellow YouTube star Josh Harrison.

They have been together since 2018, and often appear in each other's videos.

The pair regularly post snaps with each other on their Instagram accounts.

What are Riyadh Khalaf's book and podcast about?

Riyadh is the author of the 2019 book Yay! You’re Gay! Now What?: A Gay Boy's Guide to Life.

Khalaf's heartfelt guide shares frank advice about everything from coming out to relationships, as well as encouragement for times when you’re feeling low.

His parents wrote a section in the book which guides friends and family of gay loved ones on how to support them properly.

Riyadh is a co-host of the popular NSFW BBC podcast Unexpected Fluids.

The show description says it "explores real-life, embarrassing stories of when sex gets sloppy, goes floppy and a little bit wrong".

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