Coronation Street star Jimmi Harkishin ‘is banned from a B&Q store’

Coronation Street star Jimmi Harkishin has reportedly been banned from a B&Q store in Manchester after being accused of theft.

The actor, 59, who reportedly earns a six-figure salary on the soap, denied stealing a pot of paint after being confronted last week at the warehouse at Cheetham Hill in Manchester.

According to The Sun, police were not contacted, but Jimmi was issued with a letter banning him from the store.

Jimmi has played Dev Alahan on Coronation Street since 1999, and has previously starred in films East Is East and Bhaji On The Beach.

A source said: ‘He was taken to the back room and held there for ten-15 minutes.

‘The cameras were watching him the whole time and the staff weren’t bothered about who he was. He was treated just like everyone else.’

Jimmi said: ‘This was a misunderstanding over a sample pot of paint bought from elsewhere,’ and he is looking into an appeal.

A representative for B&Q declined to comment when contacted by The Sun. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Coronation Street and B&Q for comment.

In 2004, Jimmi was arrested and cautioned for allegedly swapping price tags on clothes at a clothes shop in north London.

Just weeks later, the star was forced to take a break from Corrie after being pictured taking cocaine, and sought treatment for his drug problems.

A spokeswoman said at the time: ‘Both Granada and Jimmi Harkishin recognise that he has some problems that he needs to sort out.

‘He will be taking a break from the show while he seeks help to deal with those issues.

‘This is with the full support of the company, Coronation Street and his colleagues.’

Granada did not consider sacking Harkishin despite newspaper revelations.

The spokeswoman said: ‘There was never any question of him being sacked.

‘We are a responsible employer and we have a duty of care to our employees. The pressures Jimmi has been under are a result of him appearing in our show. We will help Jimmi to seek the help that he needs.’