Early Life:
Born and raised in Hackney in East London to a mixed British/ North African and Middle Eastern heritage it became pretty clear early on that there was something different about me, including my above average love for marmite.
When I was nine I was diagnosed with Autism and after being excluded from my first primary school I was moved to a different one with an Autistic Resource Base in it. It was a mixed experiance but there were some incredible support staff there who helped me through the difficulties with my disability, especially the original head of the base, Jane Thomas.
Fondest memories of those days are of Laburnum Boat Club, Caister holiday camp and going to Disney World Florida. Oh gentle yesterday, how I miss you at times.
Secondary School:
I went to Spa secondary school, a special needs school exclusively for students on the autistic spectrum.
While the first few years were tough, between losing my mum, struggling with my feelings, struggles of being a teenager and more exclusions (don’t worry these are the last exclusions) it was a tough time to say the least.
In the later years though, I started making some incredible friends, who I still speak to daily and everything started getting better, funny how life can be sweet like that. We started making films together and I quickly realised that all this energy (and volume) was destined for the life of an Actor, this as you can imagine set the ball in motion. I was also lucky to have another teaching assistant, Don Carnell whos incredible patience with me help set me up for life after Spa.
College:
From Spa I took a big step into the “real world” by returning to mainstream education and studying Performing Arts at City and Islington college.
To say it was a shock to the system was an understatement, this building had some of the biggest and most beautiful personalities I could have ever imagined meeting. I never thought I would be able to make friends in a “Normal” enviroment, but humans have a beautiful way of surprising you sometimes. Made friends who taught me so much about the world I can never repay them. I am Godfather to about six of their kids now, Uncle Moneer has lots of birthdays to save up for.
The roaring 20s:
*Tips fedora*
Upon leaving college at age 20, I stepped into the even realer “real world” of adulthood. Starting with studying acting at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and then into the turbulent but beautiful world of the acting industry.
Then I got my big break!…okay that’s a lie, it hasn’t happened yet but was I just practicing. Truth was like most actors I had to find a day job to balance with my performance work.
There was a few false starts (autism and retail can be an “interesting” combination) but! I found my stride with my first long term job, playing Shrek at Shrek’s Adventure Live in London’s south bank. This day job had the added benefit of having a performance element to it. I got a taste for it as for the next 10 years or so all my day jobs where at tourist attractions as an entertainer. London Dungeon’s, Madame Tassauds, Hamleys, M&M world, you name it! If the mugs cost £25 I’ve probably worked there.
Meanwhile I also had my first professional acting jobs, on stage with shows like the Merchant of Venice, The Court of Smiles and so on. I also had my first screen credits with Kyle Jesmond in Silent Witness and Thomas Barrow in The Lost Pirate Kingdom.
Also, check the long hair and great big bushy beard. It was an era.
The joy of the 30s:
Yes, thats how people in their thirties walk through parks.
As i entered my thirties I found myself taking on more roles as a creative. As well as acting, I also became a professional writer and videographer (sometimes exhuastingly at the same time) and started producing shorts, feature films and non fiction freelance content as well.
I’ve also been learning more about mental health, especially my autism and how it affects me, even now I’m still learning things. One of the beautiful upsides to the condition is the “sense”. A few seconds into a conversation with a fellow autistic person and we instantly know that person has it too, that solidarity reminds us we aren’t alone. Then we get to talk about our special interests and the world is suddenly a kinder place.
I also started taking fitness more seriously and keep a regular gym routine. Including leg day annoyingly.
Still don’t like coffee, I’m never gonne be “grown up” enough for that.
The rest is history:
Well that’s about it for a “quick” but detailed bio, I’m very lucky to have so many amazing people around me who support and love me. I love being creative and working with creative people to…create, hehe. I’m still waiting on the big break, but the joy is always in the journey. Speaking of journey, my understanding of Autism is still ongoing and I hope to make more content related to it in the future, I know so many people on the spectrum and they are all different and all incredible. Who knows, maybe we’ll work on a platform some day.
Here’s to the next thirty years and beyond!
