10 things you never knew about Idris Elba! The Luther star shares some of his secrets
Prima’s Ella Dove got the chance to quiz the Luther star – and look what he revealed!
1 I used to fit tyres for a living. My dad worked at Ford Dagenham for 30 years and I worked with him when I was younger. Then I discovered acting and the creative side of me exploded. 2 I’m not a singer but I’ve been collecting and playing music all my life. D.I.S.C.O by Ottawan was the first single I bought. It’s a classic – you might hear it at a throwback party now! 3 I’m a DJ as well as an actor. Making music is what I do when I’m not acting – I love it. I play a struggling DJ in Turn Up Charlie on Netflix. It’s about the reality of being a DJ, but also the music. 4 My best friends are the ones I made at school. I’ve still got the same mates I had when I was 13. Our lives are different, and I’m the only one in the public eye, but when we sit around, laugh and reminisce, I appreciate it all. 5 My career highlight was playing Nelson Mandela. The honour of representing him in art form was amazing. 6 I’m not much of a party guy. I wasn’t shy growing up, but I was an only child and kept myself to myself. I feel I have a need to put on a show now, but really I’d much rather sit in the corner! 7 I love reading books about efficiency and how to stretch your mind further. I read a chapter here and there on my phone – that’s when I’m not making music or playing FIFA! 8 I’d love to start a school. I’ve got an entrepreneurial mind and I really like helping and advising people. Newham [east London] would be a great place for it – and I could teach drama. 9 I don’t think of myself as a role model. I know people resonate with my story, but my success came from hard work – I didn’t get it on a silver platter. 10 I still live in east London and think it’s one of the best places in the world. I travel a lot, but love coming home to my sofa, blanket and TV – and knowing where the remote is! • Turn Up Charlie is available on Netflix now
‘My success came from hard work – I didn’t get it on a silver platter’