Just seen a clip of old Sammy on the TV just now and ISTR when he was first introduced his name was pronounced as Shamir. later, however, it was always pronounced Samir.

Anyone know why this was?

I always understood that the producers were told the original pronunciation was a rude word in the native tongue!

Ooh er missus!

Yes apparently Shamir means He who shags the old slapper with the big specs