JIMMI Harkishin has been spotted for the first time since being banned from B&Q after being accused of theft.
The Coronation Street actor has been slapped with a ban from the DIY store after security suspected he pinched a pot of paint.
Earlier this week we revealed how the 59-year-old – who plays shopkeeper Dev Alahan – was taken into a back room at Cheetham Hill in Manchester.
The police were not called and Jimmi denied any wrongdoing, telling The Sun: “This was a misunderstanding over a sample pot of paint bought from elsewhere.”
Now, Jimmi has stepped out for his first public appearance following the ordeal as he attended the opening night of 2:22 A Ghost Story in Manchester.
He was snapped at The Lowry Theatre on the red carpet ahead of the show, smiling for the cameras.
The Sun understands Jimmi is considering appealing his ban from B&Q.
The DIY giant declined to comment when contacted about the allegations.
In 2004, Jimmi was arrested and cautioned for allegedly swapping price tags on clothes at a fashion store in North West London.
Jimmi – whose real name is Rajan Harkishindas – was born in Paris to Indian father Deepak and Italian mum Soni, before growing up in Manchester.
Despite the fact his parents wanted him to get a “real job” like a doctor or a shopkeeper, he was set on acting, starting his career in 1986, with his first major role of Jose Cuervo in children’s series Uncle Jack.
He went on to play Dr Jay Rahman in TV drama Medics and starred in cult movie East is East.
But his parents’ dream of seeing him behind a shop counter came true when he landed the part of cornershop owner Dev in Corrie, propelling him to household name status.
Coronation Street's shock exits 2024
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite, portrayed by Peter Ash, was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Eileen Grimshaw is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour.
She’s had to leave the Street immediately after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.