She’s made her name playing heartbroken Alya Nazir on Coronation Street, but actress Sair Khan has been through a lot off-screen, too.
Sair previously dated actor Simon Lennon for two years.
The couple originally met at Buckingham Palace of all places.
The stunning actress recalled: “We met at Buckingham Palace. We were both members of the National Youth Theatre and they have a big gala to celebrate their 60th anniversary”.
“A load of ex-members were invited to that evening at Buckingham Palace, so we met through a mutual friend that he’s in Our Girl with. Sadly, the Queen wasn’t there,” she joked.
(Image: Getty Images)
Simon was pictured greeting the actress when she left the I’m A Celebrity jungle, as the third star to be evicted back in 2018.
Sadly, their love wasn’t to last, and the couple split up in 2019.
The end of their romance was blamed on work commitments, including Sair’s dedication to learning to swim to take part in the Channel 4 show, Sink or Swim.
Simon previously played Brains in Our Girl but has since joined the cast of Emmerdale.
“Sair has found the challenge of learning to swim from scratch really tough,” a source told The Sun.
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“Training has been more difficult than she expected and it has really taken its toll on her emotionally and pushed her relationship to breaking point.”
The source added that the couple used to be joined at the hip, but added: “Now both of them have huge work commitments and are at pivotal times in their careers. They have tried to make it work but are taking some time to give each other breathing space.”
As well as dealing with the breakdown of her relationship, Sair also suffered the loss of her adored mum.
She revealed the tragic news on the Channel 4 show and talked about how helpful the challenge had been for her.
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“What it’s actually opened up, it’s a Pandora’s box,” she confessed.
“I lost my mum earlier in the year and it’s been incredibly difficult for me.”
After the emotional episode aired, brave Sair shared a post on her social media paying tribute to her mum.
She wrote: “My Mum died. It’s so hard for me to say those words without getting a lump in my throat.
“Let me tell you a thing or two about the lady I called Mama. She was strong and fierce and a little bit sassy. You definitely wouldn’t mess with her.
“This year I have felt a loss so profound that my whole body has ached. I’ve cried enough tears to fill the English Channel.
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“I’ve felt raw pain and i know I’m not the only one. I stand in solidarity with all of you who have lost a parent, a friend, or anyone that has shaped you into the person you are today.”
She finished: “I honour them and I honour my Mama.”
Fans praised Sair for her openness and honesty following the loss.
The star was also forced to deny pregnancy rumours last year after she posted a photo where fans thought she was cradling a bump, but she insisted it was just a “food baby”.
Sair is currently believed to be single, but she did open up about her dating antics.
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She told Fabulous magazine: “I’ve definitely dipped my toe into the dating world in some way shape or form during lockdown.”
Sair met fellow actress Emily Atack in the I’m A Celeb jungle, and it seems the pair have kept in touch: “Me and Emily Atack were having a laugh about it over WhatsApp, talking about how to navigate it.
“I am independent and happy with everything going on with work, family and friends.”
Despite this, she wouldn’t say no to a cheeky DM slide: “Having said that, it would be a welcome addition to have someone new so, if anyone wants to slide in my DMs, then go ahead! But I’m not chasing it!”
(Image: Instagram)
In her free time away from the cobbles, the brunette beauty often shares snaps taken while hiking and walking, and keeping fit.
She shared a smiley pic, and explained in the caption: “The face of a girl who has done a minimum 10,000 steps a day in 2021. Mostly I love the great indoors so I’m genuinely mega proud of myself for maintaining these steps well into February and especially as during the first lockdown I sometimes wouldn’t leave the house for days (wouldn’t recommend).”
She added: “Even though ‘lockdown fog’ has gripped hold of me over the last few days I’m making a conscious effort to celebrate small victories.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
