Imran Yusuf first performed in 2000 at a comedy show hosted by comedian Jeff Mirza. He started his full-time career in comedy in 2003 after quitting the video game industry. He won a stand-up competition at Newbury Comedy Festival in 2004. In 2010, he appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2010 with his first solo show "An Audience with Imran Yusuf" receiving positive reviews and a nomination from the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards for the best newcomer. 2010 saw Yusuf appearing on "Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow" as well as debuting on the BBC Radio 7's satirical news comments "The Now Show" on Boxing Day of that year. In February 2011, he appeared on BBC Radio 4's "The News Quiz" and also on BBC Two's "How TV Ruined Your Life", together with Charlie Brooker. His UK tour "An Audience with Imran Yusuf" started in February 2011 as well at London's Soho Theatre. Later that year, he made a debut on "Arthur Smith's Balham Bash" on BBC Radio 4.