25 Atta Yaqub

Published on 09/11/2003 00:00

Atta Yaqub

Actor/Counsellor, 24

Lives Glasgow.

Who he? The unlikely star of Ken Loach’s latest production, Ae Fond Kiss, Atta’s only previous acting credit was as the king of the jungle in a school production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. A part- time model since the age of 17, he has been seen on the catwalk for Red Or Dead at London Fashion Week and in campaigns for the Royal Bank of Scotland and Cruise. Atta prizes his education above all else, however, and studied for a BSc in technology and business studies at Strathclyde, then a post grad in information management.

He works for a youth counselling agency, helping black and ethnic children work through a range of problems, from drug abuse to incest. He was head- hunted by the organisation after they saw his work with the local football team Glasgow Ansar – Arabic for ‘to help’. The group now has sponsorship from local businesses, and has won oodles of trophies at an amateur level.

Conquests One long- term relationship so far.