Emmerdale newcomer Kammy, played by Shebz Miah, plans to shake things up as the Dales’ latest badboy in a move that will leave the Dingles reeling. And it also doesn’t bode well for Jacob Gallagher
Emmerdale newcomer Shebz Miah has gone from stacking shelves in the Co-op to making a head-turning debut last night (Tuesday) as new hunky bad boy Kammy.
Second eldest of six children, Shebz, 27, still lives in Bradford with his parents and siblings, who are bursting with pride over his new role.
He tells The Mirror: “Last night I watched myself arriving on Emmerdale. It was such a big night for me and my family. Even my nextdoor neighbours wanted to pop round.
“Everyone was so proud and I know that if I ever bump into any of the regulars who popped into the Co-op that they would be just as excited for me too.” As loveable rogue Kammy, Shebz’s character will be ruffling the feathers of the Dingles.
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And his opening scenes saw him steal a quad bike from Moira’s farm – also chatting up Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill). She soon falls for him, leaving on/off boyfriend Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) determined to woo her back.
“It’s completely surreal to be talking today about being in Emmerdale,” Shebz says. “I’ve got so many emotions going around.
“I have wanted to be an actor for so long and I hope that the journey I have been on does inspire someone who looks like me, or comes from Bradford, or a similar working-class background that it is ok to chase dreams.
“You do have the power to create a path for yourself and while it’s been very difficult, it is possible.” Every moment of hard slog has been worth it, according to Shebz.
“I had six auditions for the role of Kammy and when I found out I’d got it in late December, I was lost for words,” he says. “It took my breath away as I was just so ecstatic.
“To be playing Kammy now is amazing. He is such a brilliant character, a loveable rogue who is going to bring a lot of energy, fire, danger, and romance.
“He is a breath of fresh air for Emmerdale and he comes in all guns blazing. He is a bit of a bad boy, but he comes from a good place and I think it will be difficult not to be a fan of him because of his personality!”
Combining knock-out talent with a winning personality, Shebz has loved acting since childhood. “I loved the excitement of putting on a character,” he says. “I always enjoyed taking part in the school plays but when it came to deciding what to do at University, I went down the traditional route and chose to train as a PE teacher.
“For someone like me, this traditional route is all we had heard of. I didn’t know if there was a way of ever reaching something like acting.”
In his final year at Leeds Beckett University, he saw a post about acting in Bradford and says: “I thought ‘oh I used to love it when I was younger, what is the harm of giving it a go?’
“So, I went along to the classes. That thrill and excitement again was amazing and I couldn’t believe it when I was signed up by the guy running the classes to his agency after the first lesson.”
And, after his degree, Shebz decided to take a few years out to pursue his dream. “I thought there was no harm in seeing if I could do it and I just took on a few jobs, including stacking shelves at my local Co-op in Bradford, supply teaching and working at some banks while I tried to pursue my dream. I loved chatting with everyone who came in the shop but I kept the acting a secret,” he says.
Realising he needed a more sustainable career, at 25, he applied for a postgraduate course in mental health within educational settings at Sheffield University – qualifying him to teach low intensity CBT to children and young people. While studying, Shebz, who discovered he is dyslexic, also attended auditions.
“I got a small role playing the husband comforting his wife going through an ectopic pregnancy in Casualty,” he says. “It was a strong storyline. It was for around a month and I learnt so much.”
After finishing his course 18 months ago, Shebz landed a job working 9-3 as an NHS educational mental health practitioner offering low intensity CBT to young people around Bradford – and still working at the Co-op on Saturdays.
And, while holding down two jobs and auditioning for roles, he finally struck gold – trying for Kammy and landing the role, after six auditions!“It was exhausting and it seemed like it went on forever but the producers and writers wanted to get the role of Kammy right,” he says.
Recalling the moment in December when his agent told him he’d got the part, he says: “Time almost stood still. I was so happy and my family were so incredibly proud.
“Living in Bradford, we’ve grown up with Emmerdale and they were over the moon. I’ve landed my dream job on my doorstep!” And his new boy nerves were soon calmed by the friendly cast and crew,
“ I was really nervous,” he admits. “This was something I had wanted forever and now I was finally about to live my dream. But the cast and crew were amazing and after about an hour, I really felt at ease.
“There is no hierarchy at Emmerdale, everyone is so lovely and supportive and I really do feel part of the family. They’ve really welcomed me.” Now he can’t wait for Kammy’s storylines to unfold.
“Kammy stealing the quad bike is just the start,” he teases. “He goes from bad to worse! But he is a cheeky kid on the block and with Sarah, he does bring romance and thrill.The rest of the Dingles though aren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for Kammy!”
And his fellow actors have been incredibly understanding about his Muslim faith meaning he’s been filming whole fasting during Ramadan. “Don’t get me wrong it has been difficult but everyone on the cast and crew have been so accommodating,” he says. “They’ve been so attentive, making sure I have little breaks to rest and they’ve given me my own private room so I can pray.”
And he is particularly chuffed to have been described as a “soap hunk.” He says: “It’s so flattering. I never thought I’d be called that! “
*Emmerdale runs every weekday at 7.30pm on ITV1 and STV1. Episodes can also be downloaded on ITVX.