From tearful classroom scenes to sold-out arenas, Educating Yorkshire star Musharaf “Mushy” Asghar looks unrecognisable 12 years on as a confident motivational speaker
Musharaf stole viewers hearts 12 years ago(Image: Channel 4)
Twelve years on from one of the most emotional moments in British reality TV, Musharaf “Mushy” Asghar, once the shy, stammering Year 11 pupil on Educating Yorkshire, now looks and sounds completely different.
Back in 2013, fans were gripped by the raw vulnerability of Mushy’s struggle to conquer his stammer. With the help of his inspirational English teacher, Mr Burton, and a clever technique borrowed from The King’s Speech (listening to music through headphones) Mushy managed to recite a poem and later deliver a flawless speech in front of his peers, reducing teachers and viewers alike to tears.
Fast forward to 2025, and Mushy is barely recognisable from that nervous schoolboy. Celebrating his 27th birthday in September 2023, he reflected: “11 years ago I was on Educating Yorkshire. I am so fortunate to live life sharing the power of teachers. I am proud to be someone who stammers…”
Today, he has blossomed into a highly sought-after motivational speaker, travelling the UK from Leeds and Birmingham, to London, and even Wembley Arena, to inspire audiences with his story of resilience.
He has become a motivational speaker(Image: mushyasghar/Instagram)
His journey didn’t stop at public speaking. as he also pursued higher education, earning a degree in broadcast journalism, a move that has enabled him to elevate public awareness about stammering and help others find their voice
Meanwhile, the school that captured that iconic moment is also on the move. Thornhill Community Academy’s star teacher and Mushy’s champion Mr Burton, is now the school’s headteacher.
He has come on leaps and bounds since the show(Image: Daily Mirror)
Fans will soon get another dose of nostalgia, as Channel 4 has confirmed Educating Yorkshire will return to screens in a brand-new series. The reboot promises to capture today’s classroom challenges, from social media pressures to post-pandemic struggles offering a fresh look at school life more than a decade on.
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