Career
He lived in Egypt, the Sudan and Switzerland before moving to the United Kingdom. He trained as an actor at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. Recent theater credits include Failed States (Pleasure Theater) and Time of the Tortoise (Theater 503).
El Gardi has appeared in films and television as well as theater productions.
In 2004 he played the lead villain, bombing mastermind Abu Abassi, in the British Broadcasting Corporation/Home Box Office film Dirty War. More television roles followed, including in Judge John Deed, The Bill and Whistleblower.
In 2005 he played the part of Djamel in Djamel"s Eyes, and in 2009 played Khalid in Four Lions, a satire based on a group of four terrorists from the north of England.