Enduring actor and writer Nadim Sawalha has worked steadily on British television and feature films in a career that spans almost four decades.

The Upper Norwood resident made his screen debut in 1973 in A Touch of Class, the romantic comedy starring Glenda Jackson and George Segal.

In this film he played a stereotypical Asian-style hotel manager. Yet he is now very much aware of how these head wobbling, sing-song voiced' characters are now outdated and viewed as non-PC.

"Many roles I've undertaken in the past have had that goodness gracious me' parody of a character. I've portrayed many Middle Eastern men, quite often villains, but now the atmosphere is different, thankfully," he says.

Nadim comes to Croydon Clocktower with All I Want is a British Passport from September 12 to 14.

Written and performed by him, this satirical comedy is the story of Mohammed Al Fayed, owner of the most famous corner shop' in the UK. As is obvious from the title it is a thought provoking one-man play about Al Fayed's doomed quest for acceptance in British society and his obsession with trying to get his hands on that little maroon book.

"I met Al Fayed and I have a geographical and cultural affinity with him," says Jordan-born Nadim.

"When I played him in the BBC's Justice in Wonderland, I wanted to get under his skin.

"I'm fascinated by his life journey that runs parallel with mine. We came to Britain at the same time and took different routes into two very different careers, but the affinity seems to be there.

"As I acted his part I felt a lot of his story was not told and I wanted to release him. I then read much more about him and was inspired. In three months I had my script ready for All I Want "I sent it to him out of courtesy but when I heard that his office had booked two tickets for opening night I went off my food!

"He didn't attend personally, but sent people from his office I suspect to check if there was anything he could sue me for!"

Father of two hard working and popular actresses, Nadia and Julia, Nadim is passionate about breaking down ethnic barriers.

Personally he not experienced any racial abuse. He is very content to live in the Croydon borough tending his garden, writing, "going to the pub with mates" and enjoying being a doting granddad.

"My pursuit is bridging the cultural gap and I feel that can be achieved in theatre. Tamasha Theatre that presents my play is a London-based company very committed to Asiatic themes and problems.

"When All I Want played at the Soho Theatre I was amazed at the variety of people in the audience. Priests, nuns, diplomats, ambassadors from Jordan, a real good mix came to see what it was all about.

"I would be delighted if this production could do some more touring and maybe go to the West End for wider exposure."

Among the many characters Nadim has played, two are memorable Pakistani roles George Khan in the stage version of East is East before it became a hit movie and PM Liaquat Ali Khan in the film Mountbatten.

And the future looks busy for this charming, witty 70-year-old with a huge zest for life. "I've a sitcom up my sleeve and I go to Morocco later this year to do another feature film.

"I play a mad Mullah in a film about medicine in the ancient Persian world. I take All I Want to Jordan in the new year. I've been there before with it two or three years ago you know they were always ahead of me with the jokes!"