Jess Bhamra: Last News

Parminder Nagra made a welcome return to TV screens recently, with the actress taking centre stage in new ITV drama DI Ray. The 46 year old stars as DI Rachita Ray in the four-part series which focuses on Birmingham’s ­criminal underworld, with the first episode airing on Monday 2 May. Parminder shot to fame as Jess Bhamra in the 2002 hit film Bend It Like Beckham, starring alongside Keira Knightley.

READ MORE: Loose Women's Brenda Edwards: X-Factor roots, breast cancer diagnosis and tragic loss of son Jamal As the four-part thriller begins we took a look at Parminder’s life from her impressive net worth to Bend It Like Beckham rise to fame. Parminder Nagra, 46, was born Leicester and is best recognised for her role as Jess Bhamra in the hit film Bend it Like Beckham as well as the first female to win the FIFA Presidential Award back in 2002. Off the back of her Bend It Like Beckham success, Parminder attracted the attention of bosses at US medical drama ER - where George Clooney famously found fame - and she went on to play Dr Neela Rasgotra for six years from 2003-2009.

Bend It Like Beckham star Keira Knightley has shown her support for a lesbian sequel to the football film.The 2002 movie follows two teenage girls, her character Jules Paxton and Jess Bhamra, played by Parminder Nagra.In the film, Parminder's character Jess goes against her Sikh family's wishes as she joins a football team.The storyline follows the two girls who fall out after they both develop feelings for football coach Joe, played by Jonathan Rhys Myers.Despite the romance involving a love triangle between Jules, Jess and Joe, many fans of the film think the two girls should have secretly had an interest in one another instead.When speaking to PrideSource about rumours that the original plot of the film focused on a lesbian love story, Keira stated she only saw one script which was the final version of the film.She said: “I never read that version of the script! I mean, not as far as I know. But you might have information that I don’t have.

Beckham turned 20 years old this month (April 2022) - and it is still scoring goals with generations of fans across the country.The comedy followed an aspiring footballer who defied her family to follow her dreams - launching stars including Parminda Nagra and Keira Knightly to Hollywood stardom.It also exceeded box office expectations, making over £80.3million - despite only having a £3.7m film production budget.Since its release back in 2002, the stars of the film have since gone on to have worldwide success and global fame in Hollywood films, as well as leading very interesting lives too.To celebrate the film's anniversary, Daily Star takes a look at where the cast are now.Parminder Nagra rose to fame as talented footballer Jess Bhamra in Bend It Like Beckham, after undergoing an intense 10-weeks of training ahead of the role.From there it has been onwards and upwards for the star, landing a leading role in hit US medical drama E.R as Neela Rasgotra for over six years until its final episode in 2009, as well as appearing in TV series The Blacklist, Marvel's Agents Of Shield and 13 Reasons Why.In her personal life, Parminder was also married to James Stenson from 2009-2012, welcoming a son called Kai.However the couple later divorced, citing irreconcilable differences, and the star currently lives in Los Angeles with her son.She has since appeared in hit Netflix film Bird Box and TV series DI Ray, with Parminder recently revealing to The Guardian that she would love to return to the UK following her work on drama Intergalactic.Parminder said: "I think some of the most interesting stuff coming out right now is from England. And I’m English! So I want to be a part of that.