The 39-year-old was born to a Jewish mother in the seaside town of Morecambe, but didn't have a Jewish upbringing and was only told of his ethnicity during his teenage years.

He learned more about his Jewish roots when he travelled to Israel.

Anthony said: "Before I went to Israel, I knew nothing at all about the country and I only knew bits about Judaism from my A-level in religious education.

"I don't know of any Jewish families in Morecambe."

Anthony decided to go to Israel in 1994 while working as a conservationist of historical buildings in London.

He landed a job with the Israeli Antiquities Authority and was based in the northern town of Akko.

He recalled: "I went there, not as a Jew, but out of interest because it is a biblical place.

"It was a definite learning experience - I felt more Jewish living there.

"I went to friends for Shabbat and used to go to Reform synagogues as well."

But even though he spent a year-and-a-half in Israel, he still felt unsure as to whether he was Jewish or not.

Anthony said: "I was in New York in 2002 giving a talk at the Studio School of Art on religion and art and a guy stopped me in the street to ask if I was Jewish.

"I said I was unsure, but then I explained my background and he said I was."

But Anthony, who seems to be a complex character, still is not convinced.

As well as being a talented artist and sculptor - he was a finalist in the Ben Uri Gallery Jewish Artist of the Year Awards in 2004 - he is currently writing a novel which he hopes will put him on the Jewish path.

Anthony said: "By the end of it, I hope to know who I am.

"It's a philosophical novel, looking at Jewish history and I am also exploring Friedrich Nietzsche and his take on the Greek gods Apollo and Dionysius and how it relates to Jewish thought."

He left Israel and moved back to London because he preferred the political climate in the UK.

However, Anthony relocated to Morecambe in 2003, stating: "It was better to be a penniless artist in Morecambe than London."

Five years ago he took up salsa dancing and now teaches it with his girlfriend Stephanie Sturgess.

"It's a great way to have fun, exercise and meet new people," he said.

And he will be performing his salsa skills on Sunday on Morecambe promenade and the following Sunday, he will be hosting the annual Morecambe Salsa Dance Competition, also on Morecambe promenade (3pm).

* Details: www.morecambesalsa.co.uk