For more than a decade, Chris Bisson has been a familiar and compelling presence on British television, best known today as Emmerdale’s complex businessman Jai Sharma.

Yet long before his dramatic life in the Yorkshire Dales, Bisson was carving out his reputation on another ITV institution: Coronation Street. Now, the actor has spoken

candidly about the painful and deeply personal reasons that led him to walk away from Weatherfield—an exit that would ultimately change the course of his career.

Chris Bisson joined Emmerdale in 2009, stepping into the role of Jai Sharma, a character who would grow into one of the soap’s most layered and conflicted figures. Over the years, Jai has been embroiled in some of the show’s most explosive storylines—drug addiction, betrayals, business wars, and a turbulent love life that has kept viewers constantly guessing. His journey has been anything but smooth, and that volatility once again took center stage in recent episodes.

In a chilling turn of events, the lifeless body of Ray Walters was discovered inside a van at Caleb Milligan’s depot, sending shockwaves through the village. Ray’s death, brutal and mysterious, left fans reeling—and Jai firmly in the police’s sights. Questioned by detectives, Jai protested his innocence, insisting he had nothing to do with Ray’s murder. While the investigation continues and the identity of the killer remains unknown, the storyline has thrust Jai back into the emotional spotlight, reminding viewers just how far the character—and the actor portraying him—has come.

However, long-time soap fans know that Emmerdale was not Bisson’s first major television home. Before Jai Sharma, there was Vikram Desai on Coronation Street. Introduced in 1999, Vikram quickly became a notable presence on the cobbles. He ran the corner shop before it fell under Dev Alahan’s ownership and played a key role in founding Street Cars alongside Steve McDonald. Ambitious, flawed, and deeply human, Vikram had all the makings of a long-term character.

But in 2002, after four years on the show, Bisson made the difficult decision to leave. On screen, Vikram’s departure was dramatic and final: a one-way ticket to Mumbai after becoming entangled in drug smuggling to clear his gambling debts, and a controversial act that saw him empty the Street Cars tax account. It was a dark and destructive exit that left fans stunned—but behind the scenes, the reasons were even more painful.

Speaking openly in past interviews, Bisson admitted that his decision to quit Coronation Street was driven by growing frustration and creative dissatisfaction. He revealed that he had considered leaving several times before finally taking the leap. For an actor who had been working since the age of 13, the lack of meaningful material became increasingly hard to accept.

He explained that he felt his character had stalled, with no substantial storylines to challenge him or allow him to grow creatively. Playing the same role for four years without a clear narrative direction left him feeling unfulfilled. Despite the security and prestige that came with being part of Britain’s most famous soap, Bisson knew he had reached a crossroads. Staying would have meant sacrificing his passion for the craft; leaving meant stepping into the unknown.

That leap of faith would eventually pay off. Seven years later, Bisson returned to ITV screens as Jai Sharma, arriving in Emmerdale alongside on-screen siblings Nikhil and Priya Sharma. From the outset, Jai was positioned as a charismatic and intelligent businessman, but as time went on, darker layers emerged. Greed, addiction, and moral compromise pushed the character into increasingly troubling territory, transforming him from a likeable newcomer into a deeply flawed anti-hero.

At one point, even Emmerdale bosses questioned whether Jai’s journey had gone too far. Bisson has revealed that there were frank and honest discussions behind the scenes about the character’s future. Producers openly debated whether Jai was beyond redemption or if it was time to write him out altogether.

Those conversations, though daunting, became some of the most creatively rewarding moments of Bisson’s career. Rather than abandoning the character, the team chose to rebuild him—stripping Jai back, confronting his demons, and allowing room for growth. For Bisson, the chance to explore that redemption arc was a gift, offering the depth and complexity he had once felt was missing in his earlier soap experience.

Today, Chris Bisson stands as a testament to the risks actors sometimes have to take to protect their passion. His departure from Coronation Street was not born of scandal or sudden opportunity, but of quiet disappointment and a desire for meaningful storytelling. In Emmerdale, he found exactly that—an evolving character, emotionally charged plots, and the freedom to grow alongside his role.

As Jai Sharma once again faces suspicion, danger, and the weight of his past on screen, viewers are reminded why Bisson’s performance continues to resonate. Behind every dramatic twist lies an actor who once made the heartbreaking decision to walk away from comfort in search of creative truth—a choice that, years later, has defined one of soap television’s most enduring careers.