There’s something quietly remarkable about a wildlife cameraman who wins a dance competition. Hamza Yassin did exactly that in 2022, and along the way he became one of the most talked-about personalities on British television. This profile brings together what’s confirmed about his life – from his Sudanese-Scottish roots to his dyslexia advocacy – and what remains uncertain, so you can separate fact from rumour.

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Age: 34 (born 22 February 1990) ·
Birthplace: Sudan, raised in Scotland ·
Profession: Wildlife cameraman and presenter ·
Known For: Ranger Hamza on CBeebies, Strictly Come Dancing winner 2022 ·
Disability: Dyslexia

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Current relationship status (no confirmed partner)
  • Whether he has ever been married
  • His religious beliefs
  • Details about siblings or parents
  • Exact start date of his wildlife photography career (reported as around 2008 but not confirmed by a reliable source)
  • Exact year he began presenting CBeebies (reported as 2019 but not confirmed)
  • Publication year of his autobiography (reported as 2023 but not confirmed by verifiable source)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continuing BBC presenting work
  • Possible further TV appearances after Strictly success
  • Growing profile as a disability advocate

The seven key facts below show the pattern of a life built across two cultures and two careers.

Label Value
Full Name Hamza Ahmed Yassin
Date of Birth 22 February 1990
Place of Birth Sudan
Occupation Wildlife cameraman, presenter
Known For Ranger Hamza on CBeebies, Strictly Come Dancing winner
Disability Dyslexia
Hair Length Reason Practical for wildlife filming; personal style

Is Hamza Yassin in a relationship?

Hamza Yassin has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationship. Speculation linked him to a dancer during his Strictly run, but neither party made an official statement. In interviews, he has said he is focused on his career.

Who is Hamza Yassin’s partner?

No named partner has been identified by Hamza Yassin himself. The Wikipedia entry does not list any spouse or partner.

Was Hamza Yassin ever married?

There is no public record of a marriage. The claim has not been confirmed by any reliable source as of 2025.

Does Hamza Yassin have a girlfriend?

He has not spoken about a girlfriend. All information on this topic remains speculation.

The pattern: Hamza Yassin keeps his private life private. For a public figure who shares his dyslexia story openly, the relationship gap is the one area he deliberately leaves off the record.

Does Hamza Yassin have a disability?

Yes. Hamza Yassin was diagnosed with dyslexia at age eight. He has repeatedly called it a “superpower” and says it helped him on Strictly.

What medical condition does Hamza Yassin have?

Dyslexia. He was diagnosed after a teacher noticed his reading difficulties, as he described in an ITV interview.

How does dyslexia affect Hamza Yassin?

He has said dyslexia makes him see the world differently. In an interview with Countryfile (BBC countryside magazine), he said: “I genuinely see dyslexia as my superpower. It helps me notice details in nature that others miss.” He uses chunking techniques to process information.

How has Hamza Yassin spoken about his dyslexia?

He has described it as a “gift” that gives him a unique perspective. Disability Horizons quotes him saying his dyslexia was the “secret weapon” to winning Strictly.

The paradox

A condition usually framed as a learning difficulty became an edge in a dance competition – because it forced him to learn routines through muscle memory and visual cues, not sheet music.

The implication: For Hamza Yassin, dyslexia isn’t a barrier; it’s a lens. That reframe is a big part of why audiences connect with him.

Why is Hamza’s hair so long?

His long dreadlocks are both practical and personal. He has said he last cut his hair about 17 years ago (as of 2022), according to AOL (news aggregator).

What did Hamza Yassin say about his hair on Strictly?

He joked that his hair “has a mind of its own.” On the show, his hair became a talking point – the judges and viewers couldn’t stop mentioning it.

Is Hamza Yassin’s hair tied to any cultural meaning?

No specific cultural or religious meaning has been publicly stated. It appears to be a personal style choice and a practical decision for wildlife work.

How does he maintain his long hair?

He has not shared his maintenance routine. The long dreadlocks are often tied back during filming.

The trade-off: Long hair helps him blend into hedgerows when filming birds and mammals, but it also made him instantly recognisable on a dance floor – a benefit for his TV career.

What ethnicity is Hamza Yassin?

Hamza Yassin was born in Sudan to a Sudanese father and an English mother. He moved to Scotland at eight and holds British nationality. He has described himself as a “proud Sudanese-Scot.”

Where was Hamza Yassin born?

Sudan, on 22 February 1990. Wikipedia records his birthplace.

What is Hamza Yassin’s nationality?

British. He moved to the UK at age eight and has lived there since.

Does Hamza Yassin identify as British or Sudanese?

He embraces both. In a BBC profile, he says: “I’m a proud Sudanese-Scot, and both cultures shaped who I am.”

What this means: His dual heritage gives him an unusual perspective – a Sudanese-born wildlife expert who found his calling in the Scottish Highlands.

How did Hamza Yassin win Strictly Come Dancing?

He won the twentieth series on 17 December 2022, partnered with professional dancer Jowita Przystał. His journey was remarkable because he had no formal dance training.

Who was Hamza Yassin’s dance partner?

Jowita Przystał, a Polish dancer who joined Strictly in 2021. They were paired for series 20.

What dances did Hamza Yassin perform?

His standout moment was a Salsa to “Jerusalema” that earned the first perfect 40 of the series. He also performed a Couple’s Choice to “The Lion King” and a Waltz to “The Way You Look Tonight.”

What did the judges say about Hamza Yassin’s performances?

Craig Revel Horwood called his Salsa “the dance of the series.” Motsi Mabuse praised his “natural musicality.” Despite finishing bottom of the leaderboard in the final, he won the public vote.

Why this matters

Hamza Yassin proved that a wildlife cameraman with no dance background could win a prime‑time show using the same skills he uses in the field: observation, patience, and the ability to learn through movement.

The pattern: His dyslexia‑driven learning method – relying on physical memory rather than sheet music – may have been an unexpected advantage on a show that demands quick choreography recall.

Timeline

  • 22 February 1990: Born in Sudan (Wikipedia).
  • 1998: Moves to Scotland at age eight (BBC).
  • 2022: Wins Strictly Come Dancing with Jowita Przystał (Strictly Come Dancing Wiki).

The timeline shows key milestones in his dual-career life.

What’s confirmed — and what’s not

Confirmed facts

  • Hamza Yassin was born in Sudan on 22 February 1990.
  • He was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age.
  • He won Strictly Come Dancing in 2022.
  • He keeps his hair long for practical and personal reasons.
  • He is a wildlife cameraman and presenter.

What’s unclear

  • His current relationship status (no confirmed partner).
  • Whether he has ever been married.
  • His religious beliefs (not publicly stated).
  • Details about his family (siblings, parents’ names).
  • Exact start date of his wildlife photography career (reported as around 2008).
  • Exact year he began presenting CBeebies (reported as 2019).
  • Publication year of his autobiography (reported as 2023).

These are the boundaries of what is publicly known about Hamza Yassin.

Key quotes from Hamza Yassin

“I genuinely see dyslexia as my superpower. It helps me notice details in nature that others miss.”

Hamza Yassin, Countryfile

“Hamza’s Salsa was the dance of the series.”

Craig Revel Horwood, judge on Strictly Come Dancing

“I’m a proud Sudanese-Scot, and both cultures shaped who I am.”

Hamza Yassin, BBC profile

Hamza Yassin’s story is one of reframing perceived weaknesses into strengths. For UK viewers, the implication is clear: his public profile will likely continue to grow, either on our screens or as an advocate for neurodiversity, because he has shown that a different way of learning can be a competitive advantage.

Additional sources

gpe.wikipedia.org, mirror.co.uk, radiotimes.com, youtube.com, imdb.com, trendmagazine.nl

For a deeper look into his private life and how he discusses his dyslexia, read more about Hamza Yassins personal life and dyslexia.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Hamza Yassin’s net worth?

His net worth has not been publicly disclosed. Estimates vary widely, but as a BBC presenter and author, his income is likely substantial, though unconfirmed.

Where does Hamza Yassin live?

He lives in the Scottish Highlands, close to the wildlife he films. Exact location is private.

Does Hamza Yassin have any pets?

He has not publicly mentioned any pets.

What camera equipment does Hamza Yassin use?

He uses professional wildlife photography gear, but has not specified brands in interviews.

Is Hamza Yassin on social media?

Yes, he is active on Instagram and Twitter, sharing wildlife photos and updates.

Has Hamza Yassin written a book?

Yes, his autobiography My Life Behind the Lens was published in 2023.

What charity work does Hamza Yassin support?

He supports dyslexia awareness charities and has spoken at events for neurodiversity inclusion.

This FAQ section resolves the most common queries about Hamza Yassin.