Coronation Street star Sair Khan, who portrays Alya Nazir on the long-running ITV soap, has captured the hearts of viewers with her compelling performances since joining the show in 2014. Her character has navigated intense storylines, including a racism plot and a current romance with Adam Barlow, played by Sam Robertson. Off-screen, Khan leads a more private life with her partner Nathan Chilton and their son Ayaan, born in 2024, but her past includes a notable relationship with fellow actor Simon Lennon.
Meeting at Buckingham Palace
Sair Khan and Simon Lennon first met in December 2017 at a prestigious event held at Buckingham Palace. Both were members of the National Youth Theatre, which was celebrating its 60th anniversary with a gala. Khan 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." This encounter marked the beginning of their two-year romance.
Simon Lennon's Career Highlights
Simon Lennon is best known for his role as Ben Tucker in the popular ITV soap Emmerdale. He also gained recognition for playing 'Brains' in the BBC drama Our Girl, starring Michelle Keegan. His presence in the entertainment industry made his relationship with Khan a subject of public interest, especially as they attended events together, such as The Pride of Birmingham Awards in March 2019.
Relationship Challenges and Split
The couple's relationship faced significant strain in 2019, ultimately leading to their breakup. Reports at the time indicated that professional commitments played a major role. Khan was undergoing intensive swimming lessons for her participation in the Channel 4 programme Sink or Swim, which proved more demanding than anticipated. A source informed The Sun that the training "more difficult than she expected," and it had "really taken its toll on her emotionally and pushed her relationship to breaking point."
Personal Struggles During That Period
In the same year, Sair Khan experienced profound personal loss when her mother passed away. She shared her grief in an emotional Instagram post, writing, "My mum died. It's so hard for me to say those words without getting a lump in my throat" and adding that she had "cried enough tears to fill the English Channel." This period of emotional turmoil coincided with the end of her relationship with Lennon, highlighting a challenging time in her life.
Life After the Breakup
Following the split, Sair Khan has found happiness with her current partner, Nathan Chilton, and they welcomed their son Ayaan in 2024. Meanwhile, Simon Lennon continues his acting career, with his role in Emmerdale keeping him in the spotlight. Both have moved on professionally and personally, though their past romance remains a point of interest for fans of British soap operas.
Coronation Street continues to air on ITV1 and ITVX, with episodes scheduled Monday to Friday at 8:30pm, featuring Sair Khan in her ongoing role as Alya Nazir.
