Coronation Street star Jimmi Harkishin explains loyalty to Dev Alahan role

Coronation Street star Jimmi Harkishin has opened up about his loyalty to his role as Dev Alahan.

Dev first strolled into Weatherfield way back in November 1999, and since then he's cemented himself as a Corrie staple.

Despite playing the character for 23 years, Jimmi has no plans to move on from the role and has even admitted to "enjoying it more than ever".

dev alahan and aadi alahan in coronation street

ITV

Speaking with Inside Soap, the actor explained: "Soaps are the only job where the character evolves with you. The writers have watched you for over 20 years so what they write becomes finer, as does your interpretation.

"I’ve been here for a lifetime – what other artistic process allows you that freedom or that duration? You can explore life, family, politics… I’m probably enjoying it more now that I ever have. I look forward to it every day and the writing for my character is amazing.

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"Corrie is a resonant, growing, living thing and it’s wonderful. It’s been going for more than 60 years so they must be doing something right!"

ITV

Jimmi, who was born in India and raised by Sindhi parents, went on to praise the soap for its Asian representation.

"This show has allowed me for the longest time to be proactive as an Asian in the industry," he said. "It’s wonderful to have this platform to do it in such lovely, caring, thoughtful and positive way.

"Corrie has not shied away from those issues of sexuality, abandonment, single parenting: they are active and exist in every single sector of society. But within the Asian community, there's never been a programme that has represented like Corrie does on a weekly basis."

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.