Inside Emmerdale star Chris Bisson’s life off screen – from hair transformation to rows over soap snog scenes

WHEN he slips into Jai Sharma's shoes, actor Chris Bisson likes to test the patience of ITV viewers.

Off-screen, the Emmerdale star made headlines for his incredible hair transformation and is even known to row over kissing scenes backstage.

Chris made his first steps in the eponymous village in 2009, making his first on-screen appearance on September 11, although he temporarily left the show in 2013 after becoming a father.

Since then, the actor has been known for his character's scheming and independent-minded spirit.

He won't shy away from scamming his other half, Laurel Thomas, or even kicking his family out of their own home in a bid to become more financially secure.

But when he's not on the set of the programme, Chris is far from a troublemaker.

An impressive hair transformation

Chris' appearance has dramatically changed over his years in the Dales.

This is mostly due to him taking drastic action to restore his receding hairline.

In June, 2020, the actor was candid and revealed that he had undergone a hair transplant to keep his good looks.

Chris had two Follicular Unit Extraction hair transplants during a visit to the Farjo Hair Institute in London.

This involved taking hairs from the back of his head and inserting them into the thinning areas.

But his comfort in his physical appearance was not the only driving force behind the procedure.

Chris' decision was also a professional move.

According to the 46-year-old actor, the hair transplant also helped him save his career.

Chris said: “As soon as you start losing your hair you’re immediately cast older, so it does reduce the amount of parts you can play."

“If you are 40 and bald you probably get cast as being 45 or 50. It can affect your career."

He went on to admit: “There are definitely more parts for actors who have a full head of hair. You don't know what opportunities might be lost."

"Happy with the results", Chris has mentioned that the transplant has made his life easier on-screen and away from the spotlight.

Snog scenes are difficult

During his time in the Yorkshire village, Jai has been married to Charity Dingle and Emma Macey and is currently partnered up with Laurel Thomas.

Off-screen, however, Chris has been in a happy and committed relationship with Rowena Finn since 2006.

And while Emmerdale viewers live for the love drama, Rowena is not a fan of her man kissing other women on screen.

This has prompted Chris to keep the snogging scenes private when the cameras stop rolling.

"In the past, I've told her when I've had kissing scenes, but that would stay with her for the rest of the day", he said during an interview with Ok! Magazine.

"So now I tend not to say unless asked."

Chris added: "those scenes are difficult for me to shoot and for Rowena to watch."

The couple are still together and share two children a boy named Harry, born on January 9, 2013, and a daughter named Ella Rose, born on December 8, 2015.

A Corrie connection

While he is ultimately known for his role in Emmerdale, Chris has many other TV credits under his belt.

These include appearances in several reality TV shows such as I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.

His debut on the small screen was in 1990 as he appeared in several episodes of the series Children's Ward.

Viewers may also remember him for his brief roles in medical dramas Holby City, Casualty or even Doctors, and his appearances as Kash Karib in Shameless.

Soap fans will also remember that another one of Chris' most important roles was in Coronation Street.

The actor (who also starred in hit Brit flick, East is East) took on the role of Vikram Desai in the cobbles, a series regular from 1999 to 2002.