From Queens Market To Courtroom: The Shocking True Story Of The '1 Pound Fish' Man And Where He Is Now

The infectious jingle "Come on ladies, come on ladies, have a, have a look, one pound fish" became the unlikely soundtrack of 2012, turning a humble London market trader into a global viral sensation. More than a decade later, as of December 10, 2025, the story of the '1 Pound Fish' Man is far more complex and surprising than his brief stint on the UK Singles Chart suggests, involving a major record deal, a sudden deportation, a return to Pakistan, and a career shift into political jingles and food reviews. This is the definitive, updated look at the man behind the novelty song and the dramatic life he has lived since his fleeting moment of international fame.

The tale of Muhammad Shahid Nazir is a powerful, yet cautionary, example of the internet's ability to create instant stardom and the often-harsh realities that follow. His catchy, grassroots creativity propelled him from a fish stall in Upton Park to a recording studio with a major label, only for his fame to be cut short by immigration issues. His unexpected journey is a fascinating chapter in the history of viral culture, proving that sometimes, the most memorable stories are found not in Hollywood, but in the everyday hustle of a local market.

The Complete Biography of Muhammad Shahid Nazir

Muhammad Shahid Nazir, better known by his viral moniker, the One Pound Fish Man, is a Pakistani trader and singer-songwriter whose life was irrevocably changed by a simple sales pitch.

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• Full Name: Muhammad Shahid Nazir (also known as the One Pound Fish Man or £1 Fish Man).
• Born: 1981 (Age 43-44 as of 2025).
• Birthplace: Pattoki, Punjab, Pakistan.
• Primary Occupation (Pre-Fame): Fishmonger/Market Trader.
• Location of Viral Video: Queens Market in Upton Park, London, England.
• Year of Viral Fame: 2012.
• Record Deal: Signed with Warner Music.
• Highest Chart Position: No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart; No. 5 on the UK Dance Chart.
• Reason for Departure from UK: Deportation due to an expired student visa.
• Current Status (Post-Deportation): Living in Pakistan, working for his family business, and pursuing a new career in food reviews and political jingle writing.

The Viral Sensation: From Fish Stall to Warner Music Deal

The "One Pound Fish" phenomenon began in the most unassuming of places: the bustling Queens Market in Upton Park, East London.

Nazir, a Pakistani trader who had overstayed his student visa, was working as a fishmonger. To attract customers to his stall, he developed a catchy, repetitive jingle to advertise his bargain seafood. The lyrics were simple and effective: "Come on ladies, come on ladies, have a, have a look, one pound fish. Very, very good, very, very cheap."

The Rise of a Novelty Song

A video of his energetic sales pitch was uploaded to YouTube, where it quickly went viral, turning Nazir into an overnight sensation. The video’s popularity led to a major opportunity: an appearance on *The X Factor* and subsequently, a lucrative record deal with the powerhouse label, Warner Music.

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The official studio version of "One Pound Fish" was released in late 2012, complete with a professional music video. The track was a genuine commercial success, peaking at No. 28 on the official UK Singles Chart and reaching No. 5 on the UK Dance Chart, cementing its place as one of the most memorable novelty songs of the decade.

Nazir’s success was a testament to grassroots creativity, proving that a simple, authentic idea could capture the public imagination and compete with major-label artists.

The Shocking Fall: Deportation and Financial Struggles

Unfortunately, Nazir's meteoric rise was immediately followed by a devastating crash back to reality. The very fame that brought him a record deal also highlighted his precarious immigration status.

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Expired Student Visa and Forced Return

It was revealed that Muhammad Shahid Nazir had overstayed his student visa in the UK. As a result, he was deported back to his home country of Pakistan shortly after his song peaked on the charts.

The sudden end to his UK career was a major blow. Despite the song's commercial success, Nazir has publicly stated that he was financially "little better off than before," indicating that the brief viral fame did not translate into long-term financial stability.

The emotional toll of this experience was significant. Nazir had to grapple with the whiplash of being a chart-topping artist one moment and a deportee the next, leaving the glitz of London for a new chapter in Pattoki, Punjab.

What Happened Next? The Surprising Post-Fame Life (2025 Update)

The story of the '1 Pound Fish' Man didn't end with his deportation. Muhammad Shahid Nazir has continued to reinvent himself, embracing new ventures in Pakistan and occasionally making headlines for unexpected reasons.

A New Career Path: Food Reviews and Political Jingles

After returning to Pakistan, Nazir initially worked for his family's goods business. However, his creative spirit and desire for the spotlight led him down new paths.

In a surprising twist, Nazir has recently transitioned into a career as a food reviewer, leveraging his on-camera charisma and viral fame to connect with a new audience. He has had to tweak his iconic jingle to fit his new line of business, demonstrating a resilient ability to adapt the "one pound fish" brand.

Furthermore, Nazir has used his talents as a singer-songwriter to enter the political arena in Pakistan, writing and performing political jingles. This move highlights his continued desire to use music to communicate with the masses, even if the subject matter has shifted from bargain seafood to national politics.

Legal Troubles and Enduring Legacy

The post-fame life has not been without its challenges. In a major development, a Pakistani court issued an arrest warrant for Shahid Nazir for failing to repay a loan, bringing his personal financial struggles into the public eye. This incident underscores the stark difference between viral celebrity and real-world financial stability.

Despite the ups and downs—the viral highs, the deportation, the career changes, and the legal issues—the "One Pound Fish" song remains a cultural touchstone. It symbolizes the raw, unfiltered power of the internet and the short-lived, yet profound, impact of a true grassroots viral sensation. The song's legacy endures through remixes, memes, and the simple, unforgettable phrase: "Very, very good, very, very cheap."