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.
