A Bradford radio presenter has landed a role in an international TV soap opera.

When Raj Parmar heard that the makers of Indian soap Saraswatichandra, popular on the Star Plus channel, were filming on location in the UK he made calls to the production company’s head offices in India.

The actor, choreographer and presenter on Bradford’s Sunrise Radio began talks with producers and sent images of his work and footage of him in Channel 4’s Big Ballet. Mr Parmar, 33, was one of two male dancers on the programme, earlier this year, in which plus-size dancers trained with Wayne Sleep for a performance of Swan Lake.

Mr Parmar was offered the chance to meet producers when the soap came to England. He travelled to London, where scenes were being shot, and was offered the role of a souvenir shop owner who holds a clue in a search on the show. He filmed scenes with lead actors Gautam Rode and Jennifer Winget.

“It was amazing to be given the chance to shoot a scene in London, with the talented Gautam and Jennifer,” said Mr Parmar.

“It is great to see British actors such as myself being invited to be involved in international shows such as Saraswatichandra, a trend which I hope will continue.”

As a Bollywood dancer, Mr Parmar has performed at and choreographed shows and music videos, including events for Asian film stars.

He beat 500 hopefuls to land a place in the troupe in Big Ballet, which followed dancers at auditions and in rehearsals for the ballet at St George’s Hall in Bradford. “I saw Big Ballet as an opportunity for personal development,” he said.