Two NRI actors in UK bag major roles on TV

Ash Patel, 44, an insurance fraud investigator based in Prestwich, north England, has spent the last couple of years hanging out with some of America's most recognised TV stars while appearing in hit shows such as US comedy series 'Scrubs' and 'How I Met Your Mother'.

Leicester-based theatre actress Rakhee Thakrar has landed a part in the BBC's medical soap 'Holby City'. Thakrar, from Leicester's Hathi Productions, has starred in the city's comedy festival.

Patel's brush with stardom has been described in reports from Manchester as a complete accident.

"I suppose I've just got a look American networks like. I don't do anything special. I've not spoken in anything yet. American networks just keep calling me and I have ended up on one thing after another. I have absolutely no idea why – I've never asked and don't want to ask," he said.

Patel, a former TV salesman, has featured in the last two series of 'Scrubs' as a surgeon and was even offered a full-time role for a year, but turned it down to stay with his family and the insurance fraud investigation company he runs. He has also appeared regularly in 'How I met Your Mother'.

"I have the phone numbers of all these producers on my speed dial. The 'Scrubs' cast are all my Facebook friends. 'Scrubs' has a real family atmosphere and is largely improvised. I get flown over and put up in a nice hotel. I'll be out in LA for a couple of weeks next month. It pays better than my day job," said Patel.

On the other hand, Thakrar is set to play a psychiatrist in several episodes of the BBC1 drama, 'Holby City'. Filming has already been completed but the actress has been sworn to silence about what happens.

Thakrar, who joined Hathi Production at the age of 15 about 10 years ago, said, "A lot of exciting stuff is going to happen. It is great to be part of the story line."