Trivia

Originally worked as an optometrist, gaining a degree in optometry from Aston University in 2000.

Moved with his family from Kenya to Coventry in England in 1971.

Studied Drama, Film and Television at Bristol University.

Became a father for the 1st time at age 38 when his wife Meera gave birth to their son Sameer Vivek Ganatra in February 2006.

Ranked #58 in The 100 Greatest EastEnders (1985) Characters of All Time for his performance as Masood Ahmed (2015).

He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2022 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to Drama in London, Greater London, England.

Is a very close friend of EastEnders (1985) co-star Nina Wadia.

As of 2017 he is the 10th-longest serving actor in the history of EastEnders (1985) (tied with John Altman, Tony Caunter, Ricky Groves, Shane Richie and Himesh Patel, and behind only Adam Woodyatt, Steve McFadden, Perry Fenwick, Sid Owen, Rudolph Walker, a tied Mike Reid and Todd Carty, John Bardon, a tied Bill Treacher, James Alexandrou, Derek Martin, Jake Wood and Jamie Borthwick, and a tied Ross Kemp, Dean Gaffney and Shaun Williamson), having played the character Masood Ahmed for 9 years (from 2007 until 2016).

Is just 12 years older than Marc Elliott, who played his son on EastEnders (1985).