Dev set to get the boot

Corrie star Jimmi Harkishin is being hauled before ITV bosses today, the Sun reports.

11:18 20 December 2004

Corrie star Jimmi Harkishin is being hauled before ITV bosses today following allegations about shoplifting, cocaine use and an affair with a busty model, the Sun reports.

The 100,000-a-year actor, who plays shopkeeper Dev Alahan, was snapped allegedly taking cocaine by a News of the World photographer.

The pictures published yesterday follow previous reports by the newspaper suggesting that Jimmi was cautioned by police for shoplifting.

Miranda Lipinski, who hosts Grab A Grand on the Get Lucky satellite channel, claimed that Jimmi has also cheated on his long time partner and the mother of his two children with her.

According to the Sun, the 45-year-old star's job is now on the line as TV bosses decide they have had enough.

"Short of breaking down and pleading for mercy I can't see how he will keep his job," a source quoted by the newspaper said.

"He's making everyone at Corrie look like fools by spinning a web of lies to them."

Another insider was quoted as saying: "Jimmi has had more lives than a cat. He has to go - he's history."

The insider added: "Drugs will not be tolerated on Coronation Street. All of our actors are told to steer clear of them."