Baby joy or pain for Nell & Jai?
Is Jai’s new romance everything that it seems? Scarlett Archer and Chris Bisson discuss…
When Jai Sharma got together with troubled lass Nell, there was a lot of resistance to the relationship. And as stars Chris Bisson and Scarlett Archer reveal, it wasn’t just from
Jai’s family and friends on screen…
“Oh, the fans have been suspicious of Nell from the start,” laughs Chris, as we join him and co-star Scarlett in Emmerdale village for a good gossip.
“I think it’s because Nell seemed to have come from nowhere,” chips in Scarlett. “People were like, ‘Who is this person in my living room?’”
Well, the prophets of doom are going to have plenty to occupy them this week, as the pair’s relationship steps up a gear – and then another gear!
Not only does Nell reveal that she’s pregnant, but stunned Jai finds himself considering a marriage proposal. So will there be a happy ever after? We quizzed the two stars to find out…
Hi, guys! So, Jai and Nell – is it love?
Chris Jai has to come round to the idea of marriage quicker than he’d like to! But I think it’s that soap thing where the man is behind the curve, and has to catch up emotionally to make the right decision.
Does Nell think she’s found her Prince Charming? Or is it Jai’s support that she craves more?
Scarlett Good question! I think at first it was the support, as she was in a bad place in that first NA meeting. Jai gave her his coat and was just so kind to her.
Chris Nell likes his family environment, which we touch on a couple of times. She’s never had that and now she feels secure, and that’s important to her.
Scarlett, do you think Nell would like a big white wedding with all the traditional trimmings?
Scarlett Yeah, she comes from a hard background so I think she’s always dreamed of having a big wedding, and a baby. I think she’s quite traditional in a sense, and it just seems like everything is falling into place. It’s exciting.
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Jai is no stranger to a soap wedding! Are you up for another one, Chris?
Chris I think so, as his last wedding was off camera to Megan [laughs].
We pulled up outside the Woolpack and went, “Hey we got married!”. And the time before that with Charity was a big do… so I do like a soap wedding, yeah. It’s always a disaster, so it’s guaranteed fun.
Indeed, Jai is potentially hurtling towards his third Dales marriage after Nell tells him she’s expecting. However, the terrified look on her man’s face says it all – and when his dad Rishi also struggles to mask his disapproval, it leads to a confrontation between the couple.
But as Jai realises that he doesn’t want to lose Nell, he heads into town to buy an engagement ring. And when he’s drawn to a department store to look at baby clothes, his situation suddenly becomes a lot clearer…
Would you agree that Jai is a changed man, Chris?
Chris He seems to have got over his caging fetish [referring to when Jai locked ex-wife Charity in a shipping container]! So yes, I think he’s seen the error of his ways. Jai was never a bad character – he just went off the rails. Circumstances took him in a direction that he probably didn’t want to go in.
Do you both follow social media to keep on top of how people are responding to the characters?
Chris A digital team at ITV monitor what people say about any character.
It’s been interesting to see viewers go from hating Jai to to being on his side.
Scarlett I used to check Twitter, but now I don’t as I’d drive myself crazy. The people that I speak to in person are just so lovely and nice – but you do have one or two online who are not so nice.
Are you recognised a lot more since you joined Emmerdale, Scarlett?
Scarlett I don’t tend to be spotted that much, as I look a bit different to Nell in real life. Although if I’m hungover and go to my local Sainsbury’s, someone might say, “You’re that Emmerdale girl… I wouldn’t recognise you if you looked nice”. And I’m like, “Oh… thank you”!
Chris, you must be thrilled that people feel protective of Jai in this situation with Nell, given how they might have felt about him before?
Chris Well he’s been the villain for a while, so it’s fascinating to watch. It’s an interesting journey to go on, because Jai wasn’t nice for a very long time.
Have you learned to take everything with a pinch of salt over the years?
Chris The thing is, they either love you or hate you. It’s worse when no one cares – that’s when the producer starts crossing your name off the list!