Coronation Street Actor Fired for Racist Tweets Now Running for MP
Coronation Street Actor Fired for Racist Tweets Now Running for MP – After being dismissed from his role as Sharif Nazir on Coronation Street due to racially offensive tweets in 2016, actor Marc Anwar is reportedly eyeing a political career, aiming to run as an independent candidate in Bury North for an MP seat.
Anwar, originally from Pakistan, faced backlash after labeling Indians derogatory terms like “b*ds” and “ps-drinking cts” in his tweets, as exposed by the Sunday Mirror.
Despite issuing an apology, claiming it was a “moment of madness,” Anwar faced consequences for his actions. He expressed regret, stating, “I would like to offer my sincerest apologies to anyone that I may have offended with my tweets on Friday evening and especially people from India.
This was never my intention and the language was unacceptable. I feel that I have let a lot of people down, my family, my friends and my former colleagues.”
However, Anwar later contested the circumstances of his departure from Coronation Street, asserting that ITV had already decided to part ways with him before the incident. He accused the broadcaster of unfairly scapegoating him and displaying “total disregard” for his three-year tenure with them.
“He went on to state, ‘ITV did what they did, to protect their brand. Absolutely fine. I was dispensable. I believe a number of wrongs took places and [they] made [a] scapegoat of a Pakistani-born Muslim.’
Following the revelation of his tweets, ITV swiftly responded with a statement expressing deep shock over Anwar’s racially offensive remarks and announcing his immediate departure from Coronation Street.”
“In addition to his stint on Coronation Street, Anwar has appeared in other popular shows such as Emmerdale in 2002 as Dr. Ajit Devgan, as well as Holby City and Doctors.
Reports suggest that Anwar has launched a GoFundMe page to support his political campaign, where he pledges to hold Israel accountable ‘for committing a genocide’ and vows to tackle corruption in both local and national politics.”
“In his campaign statement, Anwar labels himself as an ‘actor, broadcaster, social activist, charity worker.’ Despite his aspirations, he has only managed to raise £418 out of his targeted £15,000 so far.
Anwar’s character, Sharif, was introduced as part of the first Muslim family to reside on the cobbles of Coronation Street. His storyline took a dramatic turn when his character was revealed to be having an affair with his wife Yasmeen’s best friend, Sonia Rahman.”
“Anwar’s offensive tweets not only led to his abrupt exit from the show but also forced producers to rework significant storylines to minimize his character’s presence. Despite his dismissal, there was controversy as fans noticed his continued appearance in episodes following the announcement, sparking further outrage.”
Marc played Sharif Nazir until he was axed from the soap ( Image: ITV)
Sharon explained, “He has indeed been fired from the show. There’s some confusion because he unexpectedly appeared in last night’s episode despite reports of his dismissal. His prominent presence in the episode was unavoidable due to his involvement in multiple scenes. Cancelling the entire episode wasn’t feasible.”
She clarified, “The production team is addressing the issue by removing the character from the show, but it wasn’t feasible to do so for last night’s episode. The storyline had already been set in motion and needed to play out as planned.”
Marc Anwar, a British actor of Pakistani descent, garnered attention both for his on-screen performances and his off-screen controversies. Anwar rose to prominence with his role as Sharif Nazir on the long-running British soap opera, Coronation Street, where he portrayed the character for two years.
However, his career took a tumultuous turn when he was fired from the show in 2016 following the surfacing of racially offensive tweets.
Born in Pakistan, Anwar’s acting career spanned various television shows including appearances on Emmerdale, Holby City, and Doctors, showcasing his versatility and talent.
Despite his professional achievements, Anwar’s reputation suffered a significant blow due to the controversy surrounding his social media activity.
Following his dismissal from Coronation Street, Anwar attempted to transition into the realm of politics, reportedly aiming to stand as an independent candidate for Member of Parliament in Bury North. His political aspirations were met with mixed reactions, with some expressing skepticism given his past behavior and others intrigued by his potential platform.
Anwar’s journey underscores the complexities of fame, responsibility, and the impact of social media in the modern age. While he faced consequences for his actions, his attempts at redemption and pursuit of new avenues demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity.
