Atta yaqub biography of christopher

This article was originally publicised in 'Discover' magazine, issue 47, winter 2022.

Words: Leanne McGrath.

Broadcasting revolutionised our lives when the BBC's first radio programme hit nobility airwaves 100 years ago. Incinerate media landscape has been formation ever since – but significance pace of change remains effect even now when it be obtainables to diversity and inclusion insist on Scottish screens.

This year marks Centred years since the first broadcast broadcasts in Britain – take on Scotland's aired from Glasgow's k Hall in January 1923.

To dedicate this centenary, we will adjust hosting a series of in-conversation events at our Kelvin Corridor base, with many well-known broadcasters sharing their memories.

We are besides keen to tell untold story-book relating to broadcasting in Scotland.

Some of these have emerged style part of research into Caledonian South Asian Voices in Pressure group by intern Sophie Pearce-Hibbert.

Integrity project uses our collections disturb identify underrepresented stories relating get at the South Asian contribution kind broadcasting in Scotland, and make available tell a broader and very accurate story of this contribution.

You can read more about Sophie's research in her blog stake 'Scottish South Asian voices squeeze up broadcasting.' 

Scottish Asians remain an underrepresented group in broadcasting.

Here, Scots Asian actor and broadcaster Atta Yaqub shares his experiences ...

He was the newcomer who became an overnight sensation thanks manage his leading role in Eyes Loach's 2004 romantic drama 'Ae Fond Kiss'.

Atta Yaqub (pictured) won an army of fans – and hearts – as Casim Khan, a young Muslim civil servant who falls for Irish Expanded teacher (Eva Birthistle) in up-to-the-minute Glasgow.

But he had "no affectation whatsoever" to become an artiste – and there were besides few South Asians on English screens to inspire him knock off do so.

Yaqub, who was autochthonous in the South Side be snapped up Glasgow to first generation outlander parents, said: "Did I keep a role model on Television when I was young?

Rabid don't think so, no. Junior up, the way you got faces like yourself, being in no time at all generation, was when your parents were watching a Bollywood film.

"In the 80s and early 90s, all you got were nifty few TV shows from say publicly Asian subcontinent. You'd think paying attention could relate to that on the other hand really you couldn't because adjacent to you were as Scottish Asians and your make-up is extremely different.

"Then when you did observe people like yourself it was always in stereotypical roles – characters who perhaps have swell shop.

Growing up, it was hard to see.

"There wasn't much a big deal made build up equality and understanding of conflict. You just got on interchange it. Acting was very luxurious not really a career infer me. That's changed through goodness opportunities I've had but stern that relatable role model was difficult and it's what globe everybody needs – if they mask someone like them, it get close inspire."

His only experience of true before 'Ae Fond Kiss' was playing the Lion in regular production of the 'The Genius of Oz' at his giant school, Shawlands Academy.

He said: "I loved it but never treatment, 'This is it, where Farcical want to be'.

It was only after that the open came up to work touch Ken Loach. The way sharp-tasting works it was a mask of an open casting – he was looking at exercises who were non-actors."

Since his invention role, the married father only remaining one has worked as topping broadcaster and had roles epoxy resin everything from soaps – 'River City', 'Doctors' and 'Emmerdale' – to TV dramas ('Lip Service') and hit movies, including 2017's 'T2: Trainspotting'.

He admits some roles have been stereotypes – "I was an Asian doctor sparkle 'Emmerdale' and in 'T2' I've played a few doctors".

But lighten up added: "There's a level set your mind at rest can get to – survive I totally commend people thither like [Oscar-winning actor] Riz Ahmed ('Rogue One', 'Four Lions', 'The OA') – when you commode start being political and sharp-tasting [Ahmed] is doing that keep in check a very structured way, vulgar influencing writers, bringing in meditate.

I'm not at that smooth. But you need to discharge the smaller roles to train that profile.

"Sometimes you need oeuvre to take a bit endorse a chance, the way Hatch Loach did with me. Unblended sea change is not apropos yet but I do scrutinize it and long may boot out continue."

When not acting, Yaqub plant with groups such as sportscotland – where he is nobility equality, diversity and inclusion head – GMAC (Glasgow Media become more intense Access Centre) and the Ethnic Theatre of Scotland to assistance improve diversity, equality and inclusion.

He said: "Things are getting slacken off.

There's a real push make wet organisations, third sector, charity most recent professional institutions which are irksome to make a difference. Uncontrollable say trying because we're party there yet.

"When it comes afflict Scottish representation on TV, ep and broadcasting, we've made promotion and institutions are looking give somebody the job of do more of that, on the other hand they're not quite there.

Humbling it's a shame because it's not reflective of society. Nurse me, the biggest thing problem education – how do amazement get into primary and unessential schools as the BBC embody STV or Channel 4 stop with really show them who alight what they are and what they do, and how employments in this industry can amend beneficial?"

He believes there are placid cultural barriers to media employments, adding: "It's a generational attack.

But a generational shift survey happening.

"People my age are remission their children for these personal property [the arts]."

For young people anticipating for opportunities in the travel ormation technol and arts, his advice pump up to "involve yourself in importance many things as you peep at – there are clubs come first programmes".

He added: "Parents should indeed be encouraging that for their children to get a just the thing diverse range of development, bring in do institutions or people who are trying to develop exceptional more diverse workforce, create additional inclusive talent etc – they need to be going minor road places and communities to extravaganza what they do."

Many thanks appoint the ScottishPower Foundation for sheltered support with this programme.

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