UK’s single women urged to ‘tikka look’ at spicy Zak, Teesdale Mercury

HE’S known for turning up the heat in his restaurant but Zak Ahmed will be sending ladies’ temperatures soaring after being selected as one of Britain’s most eligible bachelors. 

Mr Ahmed, who manages Spice Island in Barnard Castle, has made it into the final 50 of Asiana magazine’s Bachelor 2010 competition. 

The 26-year-old was nominated by a friend and said he was shocked after discovering that he has been selected as the only North East finalist in the awards. 

“I had to go for a test shoot in London and I wasn’t expecting to get through, I really just went along for a laugh,” said Mr Ahmed. 

“I’ve never been to a photo shoot before and I was awestruck to have hair and make-up people all around, you feel like a celebrity. I don’t want to sound big headed at all but it’s pretty cool that I’ve got through, it’s nice.”

Asiana is a lifestyle magazine aimed at Asian women and this month’s ‘hot stuff’ issue includes Mr Ahmed and his 49 competitors, some of whom are professional models.

After seeing off hundreds of other single men to make it to the final few, Mr Ahmed said he thinks he had the edge because of his ‘down-to-earth’ personality. 

“I think I did well because some of the others were quite very serious and some of them were players but I just went along for a bit of fun, I’m just a normal guy,” said Mr Ahmed.

As well as looking the part, Mr Ahmed, who lives in Darlington, also had to face a barrage of questions from the judging panel about his values and what he looks for in a woman. 

“I like a nice down to earth person, I’m not too keen on a stuck-up type of woman – I can’t handle the high maintenance,” he said.

One of the reasons Mr Ahmed is still single could be down to the long, unsociable hours he spends in Spice Island, where he has been working for the last seven years. 

He said: “I’m single partly because of the type of work I do but also because I suppose I’m too picky, and a lot of it comes down to culture too.”

“I’d just like someone that understands me and appreciates me for what I am and that I have to run a family business, with some long hours.”

The final 50 will be whittled down to ten over the coming weeks and Mr Ahmed hopes his regulars and friends from Teesdale will vote for him to make it to the last round. 

He said: “There’s a few hot guys in the competition so I’d love it if anyone who knows me from Teesdale and Barnard Castle would  vote for me. I’m the only one in the competition from the North East it would be good to get through to the next round, I never thought I’d make it this far.”

To vote for Zak Ahmed visit www.asianamag.com and click on Bachelors 2010.