Big Interview

Jimmi Harkishin was once the wild boy of Coronation Street, but losing his mum to cancer made him grow up

The receptionist at ITV paints a glowing picture of Coronation Street’s Jimmi Harkishin. ‘He’s a real gentleman,’ she promises. Then she describes how the actor, best known as shopkeeper Dev, almost single-handedly saved a small charity from going under.

The image couldn’t be more different from the Jimmi portrayed in the tabloids — something of a love rat whose wild ways could have led to him being booted off the hit soap.

In person he is funny, charming, slightly eccentric and clearly a doting father. He soon brings out a photo of his youngest of three children, 12-year-old India Rose.

‘She’s beautiful,’ he says proudly. ‘I make gorgeous kids!’

He is unrepentant about any bad behaviour in his past. ‘I liked my wild days,’ says Jimmi.