Sacha Baron Cohen reviving legendary alter-ego Ali G

Comedian and actor Sacha Baron Cohen has revealed he is bringing back the ‘90s favourite character from West Staines, Ali G.

Baron Cohen is reportedly doing a new stand-up routine for a live tour and is dusting off the yellow tracksuit, sunglasses and gold chains for the comeback as we speak.

US showbiz site Variety broke the news with an exclusive although further details as to where or when the show will take place have not been revealed.

A source close to Baron Cohen also shut down any speculation that the Staines-based rapper will be appearing on the big screen.

However, they did note that Baron Cohen is strictly abiding by strike rules. “As a SAG and WGA member he is supporting the ongoing strike alongside his fellow writers and actors,” the source told Variety.

Actors are striking across the United States at the moment to demand better pay and conditions in the age of AI and streaming.

In 2021 Baron Cohen resurrected the controversial character  during a secret gig at The Comedy Store in Sydney, Australia. 

“I just wanted to get on stage and muck around and see what Ali G would be like with a crowd,” he said at the time. “It was really good fun.”

This year also marks the 25th anniversary of Ali G, with Baron Cohen having first appeared as the character in 1998 on the sketch series The 11 O’Clock Show, on Channel 4. 

In the early 2000s Baron Cohen developed a standalone series called Da Ali G Show.