Emmerdale’s Jai Sharma star flooded with support after family update

Emmerdale star Chris Bisson has shared a rare family announcement

Emmerdale star Chris Bisson has shared a rare insight into family life in an update posted to social media.

The actor, 50, has been a mainstay on the popular ITV soap since he joined the cast as Jai Sharma in 2008. The character has been central to some of the show’s most gripping storylines, including the Corriedale special episode on Monday (January 5).

Jai is also renowned for his tumultuous love life in the Dales, including his relationship with his ex-wife, Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy), and his affair with Woolpack landlady Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins).

Away from the bright lights of the Dales, Chris is in a happy relationship with his long term partner Rowena Finn. The couple has been together since 2006 and shares two children.

Their son, Harry, was born in 2013, and their daughter, Ella Rose, two years later, in 2015.

Taking to Instagram on Friday (January 9), Chris celebrated his son’s 13th birthday and shared his “shock” at his son becoming a teenager. Sharing a sweet photo alongside Harry, Chris beamed with pride as he smiled at the camera with his arm around his son’s shoulder.

In another snap, Chris looks at his beloved son, while Harry poses for the photo while wearing a pair of sunglasses and sporting a sweet grin as he enjoys his father’s embrace.

The soap star captioned the post: “Happy Birthday to my TEENAGE son&my best mate. Wow… how has that happened… 13 today! We love u.”

Chris’s Emmerdale co-star Laura Norton, who plays Kerry on the ITV soap, commented on the post with a love heart, while former Priya Sharma star Fiona Wade added: “Aww gorgeous! Happy Birthday Harry!!.”

**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**

Boyzone star Keith Duffy wrote: “Handsome boys”, while another person added: “Awhhh happy BD to your mini me, wow 13!! Hope he has the best time celebrating.”

“He’s a mini you!!!”, added one follower while another echoed the sentiment and exclaimed: “Double of you.”

Chris began his television career on another ITV production, Children’s Ward, portraying JJ in 1990. He then appeared in series such as Cops and Where the Heart Is.

Beyond his soap opera success, Chris has featured in a variety of TV shows, including Prime Suspect, Hotel Babylon, Doctors, Shameless, and Holby City. His film credits include roles in Four Brothers and a Funeral, as well as Death of a Socialist, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

Chris is also famed for portraying Vikram Desai on Coronation Street from 1999 for four years, which was referenced in a scene during the Emmerdale and Corrie crossover.

Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX