One Pound Fish Man

Muhammad Shahid Nazir (Urdu, ; born 18 October 1981), also known as the One Pound Fish Man (sometimes stylised as 1Lb Fish Man), is a Pakistani trader and singer-songwriter who found Internet fame with his viral video, "One Pound Fish". His subsequent appearance on The X Factor led to a record deal with Warner Music.

Personal life Nazir was born in the town of Pattoki, near Lahore in Punjab, Pakistan. He is married to Kashifa. The couple have four children. His mother, wife and children are still living in Pattoki.

In a 2018 Vice interview, Nazir recounted his shock at the song's online popularity, describing it as a "god-gifted idea". He added "I was second [in the YouTube charts] only after Gangnam Style [by Psy], this was because YouTube had been banned in Pakistan at that time. Otherwise I would definitely have been number one". Nazir said UK supermarket Tesco had asked him to appear in advertisements alongside Kevin Bacon and Angelina Jolie, an offer which he declined due to an exclusivity deal he had in place with PTCL.

Post X Factor In November 2012, Nazir was signed by Warner Music Group as a recording artist, and released a dance version of his market sales pitch. A video was also filmed which featured Bollywood-style dancers and an appearance from former weather forecaster Michael Fish. The song was in the running for securing the Christmas number one for 2012 alongside X Factor winner James Arthur's release of his winning song "Impossible".

On 9 January 2021, a music video for "One Pound Juice" featuring Nazir was uploaded to YouTube, using adapted lyrics based on the original "One Pound Fish" song, to reflect Nazir's new business venture in selling bottles of UK-made e-cigarette liquid for use in e-cigarettes.

Return to Pakistan Nazir's fame alerted the UK's immigration services. Nazir had arrived in the United Kingdom in 2011 on a student visa, however he instead began work as a fishmonger. In December 2012, under the government policy he was ordered to leave the country as his visa had expired. He returned to Pakistan in December 2012, following which he originally intended to apply for a French visa, in order to release a new single. However, his management later stated he would return to the UK to promote his musical career with a new entry visa. His agent, Samir Ahmed, said: "He will be returning to Pakistan and will be celebrating New Year with his family. His return to the UK is pending approval of a working visa. We fully expect him to return in the coming weeks". According to a 2016 article in the New Statesman, Nazir was declined a new visa to enter the UK because he violated the terms of his last visa by singing as a professional entertainer. A year after that he applied for another visa to try and appear in a film about his life, however it was also denied.

On his return to Pakistan, Nazir began delivering motivational speeches in universities across the country, alongside serving as a brand ambassador for PTCL. In 2013, Nazir released "Dabang Sher Aaya", a song written in support of Nawaz Sharif's election campaign in Pakistan, which later became the Pakistan Muslim League (N)'s official party anthem. Another song, "Hum Sher Dil Hum Sher Jawan" was later released ahead of the Pakistani election on 25 July.

Discography Singles + List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Album UK UK Asian Chart FRA SCO "One Pound Fish" 2012 28 1 169 24 "—" denotes a recording that did not chart.