The actor, 60, reflects on his childhood, career, and personal life in an insightful interview. Growing up in Hounslow above a launderette, he never felt bored despite their lack of space and a garden. Winters were spent huddling in one room to keep warm, and he was an introverted child, a TV addict who loved reading and storytelling. He’d make up stories for his sister, offering a sense of escapism that sparked his imagination.
At five, he realized he was treated differently, especially during the politically charged 60s and 70s for people of colour. He recalls his dad having to paint over a swastika on their front door, highlighting how overt racism was at the time.
Humour and irony have shaped his outlook on life, helping him cope with overwhelming emotions like fear, anxiety, and grief by making them seem ridiculous. He credits his mum with his sense of humour and compassion, calling her the nicest person he’s ever met, while his dad instilled in him a strong sense of duty, sacrificing his own dreams to provide for the family.
His love for storytelling continued as he grew, despite his dad discouraging him from pursuing a career in the performing arts, believing there was no one like them on TV. Though he failed his A-levels, he retook them and went on to study business and marketing, a field he didn’t want to pursue. It wasn’t until he met Nitin Sawhney that he gained the confidence to pursue comedy.
His relationship with wife Meera Syal is built on a decade of friendship, and he believes that love is about solving problems together and enjoying each other’s company, even in difficult times. Becoming a parent has been a profound experience, reminding him that life isn’t just about oneself. He treasures the pride of seeing his child grow but acknowledges the anxiety that comes with parenting.
When it comes to religion, he doesn’t believe in the traditional heaven and hell scenario, finding the idea of floating on clouds or being tortured with a pitchfork hard to accept. He believes that what matters is what you do in this life.
His passion for performing hasn’t faded. Despite his father’s initial discouragement, he pursued his dream and has had the privilege of working with people he admires, including Paul McCartney, who he still finds amazing to converse with. For him, it’s not always about the size of the role but finding work he can truly engage with, even if it’s just to pay a bill.