Junade Khan’s journey from London bus driver to regular cast member on the long-running British soap opera Coronation Street highlights the challenges and persistence often required to succeed in acting. After dedicating eight years to auditions while working shifts behind the wheel, Khan finally landed a significant role as Idris Nazir, a businessman and love interest of character Leanne Battersby.
Khan, 44, originally pursued a professional football career with Sheffield United but was forced to change paths after suffering serious injuries, including a snapped Achilles ligament and a back problem. Turning to acting, he trained at London’s East 15 acting school and secured his first role at 25 in the comedy series My Life as a Popat. Despite early success, including a villainous role on Hollyoaks and a part in Game of Thrones, Khan found it difficult to break into consistent television work.
In early 2026, Khan made the decision to leave his job as a bus driver after being offered the role of Idris Nazir, cousin to lawyer Alya Nazir, portrayed by Sair Khan. Reflecting on the moment he received his first scripts, he described the challenge of memorizing lines while still driving across London and the self-doubt that followed. Khan credits his wife and his agent’s encouragement with keeping him motivated during periods when he considered quitting.
Idris Nazir’s character has quickly become central to storylines on Coronation Street since his debut in May. Initially introduced as a charming new figure on the cobbles, Idris has attracted attention from several characters, including Tracy Barlow and Leanne Battersby. However, viewer soon discovered a more complex, and at times darker, side to Idris when it emerged he is landlord to Abi Webster, whose young son was hospitalized after exposure to dangerous mould in one of Idris’s properties. Following the revelation that the properties were purchased without proper surveys from a dubious source, Idris apologizes but then takes a retaliatory turn, orchestrating the kidnapping of the seller with the assistance of Brody Michaelis. Khan described the character as having a ruthless side in business but still retaining some humanity.
Off-screen, Khan lives in Beckenham, south London, with his wife Gem, who runs PopGems Academy, a drama and dance school for children. His children, eight-year-old Alara-Star and five-year-old Pacino, are also showing early promise in acting, with Alara-Star having appeared in a television advertisement at just two years old. Khan shared the family’s light-hearted dynamic, with his children sometimes offering acting advice during his own performances.
Coronation Street continues to air on ITV weekdays with new episodes also available on the streaming platform ITVX.