Lost Stars Dustman Beginnings  9/1/06

Lost star Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje was a dustman before rocketing to fame in the hit series, because it was the only way he could "feed himself".

The 39-year-old Londoner who plays "Mr. Eko on the show was determined to finish his law degree for the sake of his family, because "education was salvation" for them - his father went from being a farmer in Nigeria to a successful barrister.

And Agbaje, inspired by the patriarch's work ethic, did whatever he could to support himself throughout his studies.

He says, "I did anything I could to feed myself. I was a dustman in Barnet (Hertfordshire) for a while because it meant I could get to afternoon lectures.

"I was also a club bouncer, a shop assistant, a greengrocer, and insurance salesman and an aerobics instructor.

"You have to do whatever it takes to get where you want to be in life."