42 Facts About Sadiq Nawaz

Sadiq Nawaz is a fictional character from the Channel 4 school drama Ackley Bridge, portrayed by Adil Ray.

Sadiq Nawaz is introduced as the school sponsor of the fictional Ackley Bridge College, as well as a local businessman.

Sadiq Nawaz is introduced as the father of Alya and Riz, and the husband of Farida.

Sadiq Nawaz is the sponsor of Ackley Bridge College, and owns a factory.

Sadiq Nawaz has an affair with headteacher Mandy Carter, causing a rivalry between him and Mandy's husband Steve Bell as Sadiq Nawaz and Steve co-coach the school rugby team.

Alya assumes Cory stole the jewellery, but discovers that Sadiq Nawaz has sold it in an attempt to save the family from bankruptcy.

Sadiq Nawaz loses his factory and family home, and they are forced to move in with Farida's sister.

When student Kacey 'Spud' Gartside wonders about her heritage, her mother Debbie reveals that Sadiq Nawaz is her father.

However, when she leaves for university, she encourages Sadiq Nawaz to have a relationship with Kacey and show her the same love he showed Alya.

Sadiq Nawaz stated that there was a large difference in the form of acting used on Ackley Bridge as opposed to Citizen Khan, a sitcom Ray stars in.

Sadiq Nawaz explained that on Citizen Khan, a comedy series filmed with a live studio audience, he is "playing for laughs", which causes him to "play quite big".

Sadiq Nawaz expressed his gratitude at getting to work with co-stars Joyner, Liz White and Arsher Ali, stating that he watched how they performed, and was "feeding off them".

Sadiq Nawaz said that he enjoyed filming for Ackley Bridge since it made him "think again about how [he does] things, and [made him] learn something".

Sadiq Nawaz added that since he created, starred in, co-wrote and co-produced Citizen Khan, it was "a very liberating and satisfying experience" to only have to act as Sadiq.

Sadiq Nawaz added that while it was a "real challenge", he "loved it".

Sadiq Nawaz stated that it felt "important" to have productions in locations such as Halifax, as opposed to big cities like London and Manchester.

Sadiq Nawaz opined that the Halifax area was not represented onscreen prior to it, and he could "feel the energy and the culture that exists there".

Sadiq Nawaz explained that in the area, the British Asians are "proud Yorkshiremen", so it "him being British Pakistani is important".

Ray used his knowledge to aid his portrayal of Sadiq Nawaz, stating that he wanted to inject a strong accent and being integrated into the local community into his character.

Sadiq Nawaz said while Sadiq is British Pakistani, he is "a Halifax boy", and wanted this to come across to viewers in his portrayal.

Sadiq Nawaz praised Ackley Bridge for their diversity, and stated that whilst appearing on the series, he wanted Sadiq to connect with Asian audiences.

Sadiq Nawaz is described by Birmingham Mail as "a proud member of the community and family man", but that he has "bedded half of the valley".

Sadiq Nawaz "has grafted for everything he's got and is proud of what he's achieved".

Sadiq Nawaz "enjoys other women's company", and it is stated that Farida knows of his affairs, but "turns a blind eye" as long as it does not become a scandal.

Sadiq Nawaz is a wealthy businessman, who has attempted to improve the local area with his ventures.

Sadiq Nawaz opined that Sadiq invests in Ackley Bridge College for both philanthropic and self-serving reasons.

Sadiq Nawaz explained the statement, stating that despite being wealthy, Sadiq has "stayed in this relatively small West Yorkshire town" rather than going to a city.

Sadiq Nawaz later expanded on this when he stated that he enjoys how Sadiq can go from being "villainous and the baddie of the show" to having "genuine heart".

When Sadiq Nawaz was described as "middle class", Ray refuted the label.

Sadiq Nawaz explained that he sees Sadiq as "a working class boy who's worked hard and done well".

Sadiq Nawaz added that "he's quite manipulative but there's a well meaning side to him".

Ray found it "honourable" that despite having money and "clout", Sadiq Nawaz decided to invest in the school.

Sadiq Nawaz explained that "he could have taken over the local football club or opened up a series of restaurants", but wanted to improve the area with a school instead.

Sadiq Nawaz expressed his beliefs that Sadiq's marriage to Farida "wasn't perhaps entirely of his own personal choosing", but that it was a result of his father or the community.

Sadiq Nawaz stated that this could have been the explanation for his affair with Mandy, and that while it "doesn't justify it", it gives it "some understanding".

Sadiq Nawaz stated that while "what did happen, of course, will always be there", there is no longer any romantic feelings between the two.

Sadiq Nawaz explained that the success of the school means more to the characters.

Sadiq Nawaz replied that it is "really distressing" for anyone to lose their job, but especially for Sadiq, since he is "very success driven".

Sadiq Nawaz noted that it is "time for him to take stock", and that be learns to depend on the people around him, such as Farida, "who really supports him", and Mandy.

Ray opined that the losses had made Sadiq Nawaz "realise what's important", and hinted that we will see how he works through the financial issues in further episodes.

Sadiq Nawaz touched on Sadiq's relationship with Alya, who had grown up idolising her father but recently begins to doubt him.

Ray stated that Sadiq Nawaz "uses his downfall" to help Alya and to repair their relationship, which he felt is a "positive thing" for his character to do.