Christopher Paul Bisson (born 21 July 1975) is a British actor, known for portraying the roles of Vikram Desai in Coronation Street (1999–2002), Kash Karib in Shameless (2004–2007, 2009), and Jai Sharma in Emmerdale (2009–present).
Television Bisson first appeared on television as J.J. in Children's Ward in 1990. He went on to appear in Prime Suspect, Holby City and as Vikram Desai in Coronation Street. Then as 'Saleem Khan' in the 1999 film East Is East. Kash Karib in Shameless and Jai Sharma in Emmerdale. He appeared in Perfect Day: The Wedding (2005), Perfect Day: The Funeral (2006; Channel 5) and the feature film Stepdad (filmed in February 2007). He participated in the Channel 4 documentary Empire's Children (2007).
Bisson appeared in the Valentine's Day 2009 episode of Casualty, and on the last series of Hotel Babylon. He returned to make a one-off appearance in Shameless in April 2009, where his character was killed off.
In September 2009, Bisson joined the cast of Emmerdale, as part of the newly cast Sharma family, playing Jai Sharma."Chris Bisson to star in Emmerdale" , tv.sky.com; accessed 5 May 2015. Bisson temporarily departed Emmerdale on 24 January 2013, due to the birth of his child. He later returned at the end of March 2013.
Bisson appeared in the second series of the ITV reality show I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!. He and his family appeared on All Star Family Fortunes in October 2011.
In 2012, he appeared in the CBBC series 12 Again where he revealed he once failed to show up for a date at the cinema with Anna Friel at the time.
On 15 December 2013, Bisson took part in The Chase: Celebrity Special to raise money for his selected charity.
On 18 June 2014, he took part in All Star Mr & Mrs with his partner.
On 11 October 2020, he appeared on the ITV game show, Tipping Point Lucky Stars which culminated in him winning the jackpot of £20,000 for his charity.
In December 2024 he won The Great Christmas/Festive Bake Off Soap opera stars edition.
Personal life Bisson was born in Wythenshawe, Manchester in an Indo-Trinidadian family originally from Rajasthan in India. He is Catholic. He is colour blind.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1999 East Is East Saleem Khan2001 Understanding Jane Off Licence Storekeeper2005 Chicken Tikka Masala JimiIzzat Man in the telephone boothFour Brothers and a FuneralRamShort film2007 Death of a SocialistCharlie
Television Year Title Role Notes1990 Children's Ward J. J.TV series; 13 episodes1996 Prime Suspect 5: Errors of JudgementNazir2 episodes1998 The CopsOmar Assi1 episode1998, 2005 Where the Heart Is Kahil (1998); Jimmy (2005)2 episodes1999–2002 Coronation Street Vikram DesaiSeries regular, 329 episodes1999 Coronation Street: After Hours6 episodes2003 Indian Dream SurenderTelevision film; credited as Christopher BissonSpoilt JohnnyTelevision film2004 Holby CityMark Watkins1 episode; credited as Christopher BissonThe Afternoon Play Digger1 episode2004–2007, 2009 Shameless Kash Karib19 episodes2005 Perfect Day BillyTelevision film; credited as Christopher Bisson10:96: Training NightPC David SandsTelevision film2006 Perfect Day: The Funeral Billy1 episode; credited as Christopher BissonMagnolia DinoTelevision film; credited as Christopher BissonNew Street Law Sammi Kaswa1 episodeManchester Passion BarabbasTelevision film; credited as Christopher Bisson2006, 2009 DoctorsDes Lawrenson (2006); James Guple (2009)2 episodes2008 Stepdad DoctorTelevision filmEcho BeachAmit Gurai1 episode; credited as Christopher Bisson2009 CasualtyCarlHotel BabylonOmar2009–presentEmmerdaleJai SharmaSeries regular
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Result 2021 26th National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance
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