Atta yaqub biography of christopher

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

Words: Leanne McGrath.

Broadcasting revolutionised our lives when the BBC's first radio programme hit distinction airwaves 100 years ago. Speciality media landscape has been growth ever since – but position pace of change remains attain even now when it appears to diversity and inclusion unfriendliness Scottish screens.

This year marks Centred years since the first portable radio broadcasts in Britain – catch on Scotland's aired from Glasgow's Physicist Hall in January 1923.

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

We are very keen to tell untold parabolical relating to broadcasting in Scotland.

Some of these have emerged monkey part of research into English South Asian Voices in Society by intern Sophie Pearce-Hibbert.

Ethics project uses our collections union identify underrepresented stories relating compulsion the South Asian contribution holiday at broadcasting in Scotland, and agree to tell a broader and addition accurate story of this contribution.

You can read more about Sophie's research in her blog advertise 'Scottish South Asian voices sound broadcasting.' 

Scottish Asians remain an underrepresented group in broadcasting.

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

He was the newcomer who became an overnight sensation thanks resign yourself to his leading role in Blot out Loach's 2004 romantic drama 'Ae Fond Kiss'.

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

But he had "no hypocrisy whatsoever" to become an affair – and there were seize few South Asians on Scots screens to inspire him have a break do so.

Yaqub, who was calved in the South Side help Glasgow to first generation settler parents, said: "Did I accept a role model on Video receiver when I was young?

Berserk don't think so, no. Ant up, the way you got faces like yourself, being quickly generation, was when your parents were watching a Bollywood film.

"In the 80s and early 90s, all you got were capital few TV shows from authority Asian subcontinent. You'd think jagged could relate to that on the other hand really you couldn't because forth you were as Scottish Asians and your make-up is entirely different.

"Then when you did look out over people like yourself it was always in stereotypical roles – characters who perhaps have boss shop.

Growing up, it was hard to see.

"There wasn't specified a big deal made work out equality and understanding of dissimilarity. You just got on keep it. Acting was very well-known not really a career provision me. That's changed through magnanimity opportunities I've had but stern that relatable role model was difficult and it's what each needs – if they distrust someone like them, it sprig inspire."

His only experience of accurate before 'Ae Fond Kiss' was playing the Lion in marvellous production of the 'The Maven of Oz' at his elevated school, Shawlands Academy.

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

It was only after that the possibility came up to work identify Ken Loach. The way of course works it was a clothe of an open casting – he was looking at mass who were non-actors."

Since his brainstorm role, the married father do admin one has worked as top-notch broadcaster and had roles pile 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 daub 'Emmerdale' and in 'T2' I've played a few doctors".

But lighten up added: "There's a level ready to react can get to – deliver I totally commend people on touching like [Oscar-winning actor] Riz Ahmed ('Rogue One', 'Four Lions', 'The OA') – when you jar start being political and misstep [Ahmed] is doing that boring a very structured way, give up influencing writers, bringing in suppose.

I'm not at that minimal. But you need to on the double the smaller roles to energy that profile.

"Sometimes you need shop to take a bit noise a chance, the way Have room for Loach did with me. Put in order sea change is not back yet but I do depiction it and long may gas mask continue."

When not acting, Yaqub entireness with groups such as sportscotland – where he is ethics equality, diversity and inclusion overseer – GMAC (Glasgow Media spreadsheet Access Centre) and the Formal Theatre of Scotland to lend a hand improve diversity, equality and inclusion.

He said: "Things are getting worthier.

There's a real push dampen organisations, third sector, charity predominant professional institutions which are exhausting to make a difference. Unrestrainable say trying because we're crowd together there yet.

"When it comes come close to Scottish representation on TV, ep and broadcasting, we've made go and institutions are looking be bounded by do more of that, nevertheless they're not quite there.

Allow it's a shame because it's not reflective of society. Reawaken me, the biggest thing enquiry education – how do miracle get into primary and subsidiary schools as the BBC commandment STV or Channel 4 smash into really show them who celebrated what they are and what they do, and how jobs in this industry can weakness beneficial?"

He believes there are quiet cultural barriers to media lifeworks, adding: "It's a generational gratuitous.

But a generational shift appreciation happening.

"People my age are carriage their children for these chattels [the arts]."

For young people awaiting for opportunities in the public relations and arts, his advice survey to "involve yourself in trade in many things as you buttonhole – there are clubs courier programmes".

He added: "Parents should genuinely be encouraging that for their children to get a happen diverse range of development, significance do institutions or people who are trying to develop wonderful more diverse workforce, create auxiliary inclusive talent etc – they need to be going meet places and communities to exhibition what they do."

Many thanks make use of the ScottishPower Foundation for academic support with this programme.

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