Emmerdale's Jai's dark past - Child loss tragedy, drug death and DNA bombshell

28 July 2023 , 18:00

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Emmerdale's Jai's dark past - Child loss tragedy, drug death and DNA bombshell

Emmerdale's Jai Sharma will go through turmoil in upcoming scenes, following the sudden and tragic loss of his father Rishi Sharma.

Rishi was killed off in devastating scenes on Thursday 27 July. The character was feuding with son Jai over his recent DNA discovery, but Jai decided he wanted to make amends.

It was the day of Jai's wedding to Laurel Thomas, and Jai wanted his dad there. So when he failed to show up after the olive branch, viewers were convinced something was very wrong. The camera panned to Rishi lying dead at the bottom of the stairs.

Jai will be left struggling in the months ahead, but this isn't the first time he's battled trauma in the village. From child loss to tragedy and addictions, Jai has faced a lot since his arrival in 2009. Here's a look back at some of his darkest times...

Emmerdale's Jai Sharma will go through turmoil in upcoming scenes

Child loss horror

Jai has experienced tough times with his children over the years, and has been at the centre of two paternity scandals - quite fitting given recent evets.

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The character was exposed for having a fling with his pal Declan Macey's wife Ella years ago, and Ella fell pregnant with her daughter Mia. It wasn't confirmed until years later that Jai was Mia's biological father.

The father and daughter never got to build a relationship though as Mia fled the village in 2011, but was tragically killed off offscreen in a car accident a few months later.

Jai was Mia's biological father (ITV)

Jai was also temporarily separated from his son Archie, who now lives with him in the village. Archie was born after Jai's fling with his mother Rachel Breckle. Rachel moved away with her son, but she was later confirmed to have died offscreen from an undisclosed cardiac issue in 2019.

Jai also has a daughter with his ex Megan Macey, Eliza. Eliza was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after she suffered from seizures, with her given medication to alleviate her condition. In 2019, Eliza and her mother Megan moved away from the village.

DNA bombshell

Jai recently learned the shocking news that Rishi was not his biological father. He found out Rishi had adopted him, but his dad refused to tell him the truth.

That all changed this week when Jai was finally told who his dad was - and he realised he had a half-brother who he already knew pretty well. Rishi confirmed his brother was the dad of Jai, after Jai's mother Georgia had an affair and fell pregnant.

Rishi stayed with Georgia and raised Jai as his own son. The reveal means Jai and cousin Suni are actually siblings.

Drug addiction and death heartache

Jai blamed himself over Holly's death (ITV)

Jai has battled a drug addiction on the soap, with him relapsing not too long ago. The character was helped through his addiction by loved ones and pals.

One person he got close to over their shared troubles was Holly Barton, who was also a drug addict. They ended up starting a romance as they supported each other in their recovery.

Tragically, Holly took drugs again months after getting clean and she suffered a fatal heroin overdose. After Holly was found dead by her mother Moira, Jai learned the tragic news and it hit him hard.

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He hadn't told anyone about his romance with Holly, and he blamed himself over her death after he left the wedding they were at early, with Holly going on to take drugs in his absence.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.

Charlotte Tutton