You Ask… Shaheen Jafargholi (aka Shakil)
SHAHEEN JAFARGHOLI Eastenders’ Shakil Kazemi ...faces your questions!
It’s the morning after the disastrous prom night before for Shakil this week – and 20-year-old actor Shaheen is suited and booted to answer all of your questions…
“Was it a big decision to have your topknot cut off?”
You know what, it was a bigger decision than I thought it was going to be! You have to wait until you have a gap in filming for continuity – in the end, the process took about two months, and I had to ask about five different people for permission. But it was worth it – I’m a bit lazy when it comes to hair, so I’m happy it’s gone. And for a while people didn’t recognise me as much, which meant I could go to Tesco in my pyjamas without anyone stopping
me to ask for a photo!
“Would you have been friends with someone like Keegan when you were at school?”
I don’t think I would.
I was quiet at school, and preferred a small group of friends. My school was quite cliquey with loads of boy Keegans and girl Keegans, but I was the odd one out, so just me and my two best friends would roll together. I’m still figuring out Shakil and Keegan’s friendship.
“Is it true that Tilly Keeper [Louise] and Jasmine Armfield [Bex] pick on you at work?”
I think it might be the other way round – I pick on them more than they pick on me! The three of us are the best of friends, and the girls basically live at my flat. There’s a lot of banter, but it’s all love. They make fun of when I was a little boy singing on the TV – that’s a recurring theme. But I always get my own back!
“What’s the best thing about having Bonnie Langford as your mum and Davood Ghadami as your big brother?”
Bonnie has done so much – she’s got a career the length of my arm and my other arm and both of my legs at the same time! There’s never a dull moment with Bonnie. She and Davood are so chilled and calm. Straight off the bat, me and Davood bonded – he’s from an Iranian family like me, so we
“Do Tilly and Jasmine really pick on you?”
“Would you like Shakil’s dad to turn up in Walford, and who would you get to play him?” …asks reader Dennis Howie from London
have really similar backgrounds. He and Bonnie have been there for me every step of the way. “Who would you most like to do a duet with?”
“What’s the best thing about having Bonnie as your mum?”
People quite often ask me this, but it’s tricky. Unfortunately he’s not with us any more, but I’d have loved to sing with Luther Vandross because he’s one of my favourite singers. He’s got such a beautiful voice, and anyone who knows me knows that I’m obsessed with him. “What was it like meeting Simon Cowell on Britain’s Got Talent [in 2009], and what do you remember about your audition?” It was really exciting – I learned a lot. Simon was lovely, and it was a great experience. I’d been singing since I was nine years old, so it was fantastic to do. But now I’m really enjoying exploring a different side of the industry at
Eastenders. I’m so grateful to be here. “The pic of Shaki in his prom suit in last week’s magazine was so cute! Is it a style you’d choose for yourself?” I got so many compliments from the crew when we did those scenes! I’m proud to say I was involved in picking that suit. I thought Shaki should have an overthe-top outfit because he’s got so many brightly coloured jackets and T-shirts. He’s from Essex, so he’s going to want the flashiest suit! “You were born in Wales – where would you recommend people to visit?” I’m from Swansea, so I’d say somewhere like the Mumbles or the Gower – that would make for a lovely weekend away. There’s loads going on in Swansea, lots of nice places to eat. It’s really expanding at the moment. “Who has been a really major inspiration in your life?” I’d say Amy-leigh Hickman, who played Linzi in Eastenders. We’re best friends and she’s my flatmate – I call her my wife! I’ve known her since we were kids. We got our jobs at Eastenders at the same time, but my first day was her last! She inspires me every day. I’d love it if Shakil’s father came in, because it would be an interesting aspect of Shaki’s family to explore. My dream casting would be Omid Djalili, because he looks a bit like my own dad! That could work well. “If you could play any other Eastender, who would it be?” I think it would be Kim. Kim gets a lot of good outfits and some great trainers! Shakil’s been wearing the same three pairs of trainers for a year, but Kim’s always in new ones. And of course she makes everyone roll around laughing every time she opens her mouth. “Would you like to star in a musical, and if so which one?” Well, I was in Thriller Live when I was a child, but I haven’t done a musical as an adult. So never say never! I like the idea of playing Aladdin. I’ve seen the show on Broadway and it looks really fun to be a part of.