They ANSWER!
Emmerdale’s Jai Sharma ...faces your questions!
After starring in Corrie from 1999 to 2002, Chris joined Emmerdale as confectionary king Jai in 2009. And there are plenty of questions for him to get his teeth into…
“Which character would you like Jai to share more scenes with?”
Two characters who I seldom work with are Paddy and Marlon. They’re great fun, so it would be nice to see Jai in the mix with them to do a bit of comedy. And Jai definitely needs some friends – I spoke to the producers about this recently. He needs somebody to talk to!
“What was the best thing about working with Sophie Powles, who played Holly?”
Sophie’s one of those people who’s got so much positive energy – she’s always so bright and happy. She was delighted to be on set, and that rubbed off on other people. So she was a pleasure to work with.
“You starred as Vikram Desai in Corrie, but do you still watch the show?”
Sometimes. I find it hard to watch the soaps, because when I get home from work I need to learn my lines. Plus that time of the evening is bath and bedtime for the kids. But I do try to keep an eye on them to see what my mates are up to.
“Jai’s a devoted dad to Eliza. Do you enjoy working with a baby?”
Ha ha! Well, never work with children or animals is what they say in our business – and it is challenging! I love having the kids on set, but it often doesn’t go to plan because they’re children, and they don’t have to do what they’re told! They have every right to say, “I don’t want to be here, I’m going home”, whereas the adults can’t do that. And that does make me jealous sometimes…
“What’s your favourite thing to do on a day off from work?”
Probably getting out and about with the kids – going for a walk, or checking out somewhere new. Just doing something that’s relaxing and outdoorsy, getting up to the lakes or out to a big park.
I live in Cheshire, and there’s plenty of open space around there.
“How would you feel if your kids [one-year-old Ella Rose and Harry, four] wanted to be actors?”
I wouldn’t mind. I’m like any parent – I just want my children to be happy. But they’re still very young at the
“Do you still tune in to watch Corrie?”
“Do you enjoy working with a baby?”
minute, so we’re not really talking about that yet! Although Harry already fancies himself as a bit of a comedian, so we’ll see how that goes…
“What was the last TV programme you series-linked?”
Line Of Duty. I love that!
I’ve got the whole of the new series so far waiting to go, because I like to save it all up and binge watch – I don’t like having to wait a week to watch the next episode. I’m from the Netflix generation!
“You’ve already starred on [ITV quiz] The Chase. Are there any other game shows you’d like to do?”
As a kid I absolutely adored The Crystal
Maze – I’d watch it religiously. It’s about to make a comeback, which is great. I also like news quizzes like Have I Got
News For You. But I don’t know if I’d be brave enough to go on that!
“Jai’s been a bit of a rogue in the past, but how would you rate his popularity with the Emmerdale viewers at the moment?”
Hmm… I’d say it’s improving! Although he could do better. I think the storyline with Holly was a big turning point for Jai. He’s never been an out-and-out baddy by any means, and he didn’t start out that way – he just went down a very dark path.
But he’s found a better space in life now, and is a bit more likeable.
“Can you tell us a secret about what it’s like working on the set of the Sharmas’ sweet factory?”
We use the same Easter eggs every year! And we used to have a lot of fake sweets and chocolate, but since the Sharmas have upped their game with the quality of the products they make – this sounds like a sales pitch! – we’ve started using more real stuff. When I meet viewers, they always ask if I’ve got any sweets on me – but As you’re a soap magazine, I’ll pick my favourite soap person. Simon Gregson and I were a bit of a double act in Corrie, when Vikram and Steve set up the cab firm together – and Si and I are still very good mates to this day. My other favourite co-star would be the entire cast of East Is East. That was a real ensemble piece, so I couldn’t single anyone out! if you try to take anything off set, the props team go absolutely mad!
“If you weren’t an actor right now, what do you think you would be doing for a living?”
When I was at school I loved doing woodwork, so I’d be really happy being a joiner or something like that. I like making things, and I really love fixing things. If something’s broken at home, I’m all over it! I always like to have a little go at mending stuff before calling in the professionals. And if they do have to come round, I’m one of those annoying people who likes watching over their shoulder to see how they do it!