Coronation Street‘s Idris Nazir (Junade Khan) arrived on the cobbles earlier this summer, quickly proving himself as a complicated new character. The cousin of Alya Nazir, Idris first wooed viewers (and Leanne Battersby) when he put some unruly Speed Daal customers in their place.
Later, we saw another side to the charming businessman, as he began causing trouble for the locals, though sometimes inadvertently. But while Idris’ arrival has shaken things up in Weatherfield, it’s actually Khan’s first appearance on the soap that has got fans talking.
While watching recent episodes of Classic Corrie, which air every week on ITV3 and ITVX, fans discovered that Khan originally debuted on the show almost 18 years ago. Back in September 2008, the actor played Saj, a former flame of Rosie Webster.
Eagle-eyed viewers quickly noticed the brief stint – which only last two episodes – and took to Reddit to share their surprise (via Manchester Evening News).
Posting a screenshot of a scene from the Rovers Return, abigailbird wrote: “I spotted him a few episodes ago and said to myself, ‘That looks like Idris’. Now he’s popped up again, had to Google, and it is him. Played Rosie’s short term boyfriend in 2008.”
“Good catch!” Wooden-Kangaroo-2314 replied, while Haggisboy commented: “Honestly did a double take because of the noted actors who’ve put time in on Corrie.”
Every_Psychology9 commented: “I knew it was him! When I saw him chatting to Kevin the other day I was hit with a massive Deja vu moment and I googled him. And there it was…Idris was Saj.”
Though Saj’s time on the soap was short-lived, it seems Idris will be sticking around for a while as it was recently revealed that he had bought some property in Weatherfield. Unfortunately for Idris, the flat he acquired was covered in black mould, landing Abi Webster’s young son Alfie in hospital.
Abi was furious when she discovered Idris was her new landlord and, despite him vowing to fix the problem, she decided to take legal action against him. But how will Idris react when he learns Alya’s boyfriend Adam Barlow is leading the case?
