Rebecca Sarker has become a familiar face to millions of soap fans. She plays Dr Manpreet Sharma on ITV’s Emmerdale, a role she has held since 2018. However, her journey in the world of soaps began much earlier. Therefore, her career spans over two decades and includes appearances on nearly every major British soap .
From her first role on Coronation Street to her current stint in the Dales, Rebecca has proven her versatility as an actress. As a result, she has become one of the most respected performers on television.
Who Is Rebecca Sarker?
Rebecca Sarker was born in 1975 in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. She is 50 years old as of 2025. She grew up in a medical family – her father Khaleque was a GP and her mother Elizabeth was a children’s nurse. Her older brother became a dentist. Despite this family background, there was never any pressure on Rebecca to follow a medical career .
She attended Bradford Girls’ Grammar School and later pursued a degree in Modern Languages at Leeds University. And She spent a year teaching English in Spain, where she took up flamenco dancing. She then trained at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London .
Like Tana Ramsay, Rebecca has built her career through hard work and dedication to her craft.
Coronation Street: Nita Desai Years
Rebecca made her acting debut in 1999 on Coronation Street. She played Nita Desai, a member of the show’s first Asian family. She appeared in 122 episodes between 1999 and 2000 .
Nita was the daughter of corner shop owner Ravi and sister of Vikram. She left the family business to find independence working at local supermarket Freshco. She worked her way up to managerial level before leaving Weatherfield for Inverness .
Interestingly, her on-screen brother Vikram was played by Chris Bisson. Today, Chris Bisson plays Jai Sharma on Emmerdale – making them co-stars once again, over two decades later .
Fans have been surprised to spot this connection. One viewer wrote: “Just found out Jai and Manpreet were siblings when they appeared on Coronation Street! I never knew they were in that many years ago!” Another added: “She looks exactly the same!” .
Like Shirley Henderson, Rebecca has the rare distinction of having played major roles in two of Britain’s biggest soaps.
Emmerdale: Dr Manpreet Sharma
In 2018, Rebecca joined the cast of Emmerdale as Dr Manpreet Sharma. She has been at the centre of some of the soap’s biggest storylines since her arrival .
Manpreet is the sister of serial killer Meena Jutla, who murdered three people in 2022. She has also had romances with vicar Charles Anderson and a one-night stand with bad boy Ross Barton. That encounter led to a catfight with fiery Ruby Milligan .
More recently, Manpreet was blackmailed after sharing intimate pictures on a fictional subscription site. A mystery person threatened to expose her unless she handed over £5,000. Scheming businessman Joe Tate was behind the blackmail plot .
Rebecca has said she loves playing her character. “I haven’t had the seven-year itch. I still love playing Manpreet just as much as I did when I joined,” she told The Sun. “She is never one-dimensional” .
Other TV Roles and Film Work
Between her soap roles, Rebecca appeared in numerous television series. These include Rosemary and Thyme, Doctors, Holby City, Casualty and EastEnders. In 2005, she starred in the ITV miniseries The Golden Hour as Nina Osbourne .
In 2012, she made her film debut in the Hollywood blockbuster John Carter. She also appeared in the satirical comedy Twenty Twelve as Hilary, a TV reporter .
In 2022, she competed in the revival of ITV’s The Games, a celebrity sports challenge hosted by Holly Willoughby and Freddie Flintoff .
Like Jeremy Kyle, Rebecca has shown her versatility by taking on challenges beyond her regular soap role.
Rebecca Sarker Net Worth
Rebecca Sarker net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, as a long-standing cast member of one of Britain’s most popular soaps, she earns a comfortable salary. Her income also comes from her previous television roles and film appearances.
Like many soap actors, her net worth has grown steadily over her 25-year career in the industry.
Like Avicii, Rebecca has achieved significant success in her field without constantly seeking the spotlight.
Rebecca Sarker Husband and Family Life
Rebecca is married to a man named Rico. He works in the city and prefers to stay out of the public eye. The couple have two sons together, now aged 19 and 14 .
Rebecca has credited her husband with giving her confidence to post bolder pictures on social media. “A few years ago I had been doing some stunt scenes for Emmerdale wearing Lycra pants and a sports bra. I sent a picture of me to my husband as I’d been doing some working out and I thought I looked quite good. He said, ‘Post it on Instagram'” .
Despite living in Essex, she commutes 200 miles to the Emmerdale studios every week. She returns to her family on Friday nights. Her sons encouraged her to take the job in the first place. “When I got the job, I didn’t think I could do it but my kids said, ‘Of course you can — don’t be ridiculous. We will make it work'” .
Unlike the Radford family, Rebecca keeps her family life mostly private. She rarely posts pictures of her husband or children on social media.
Body Positivity and Instagram
Rebecca has become known for her body-positive Instagram posts. She regularly shares pictures of herself in swimsuits and outfits showing off her figure. She says she loves posting “sexy pics” and is “flying the flag for older women” .
However, she draws a clear line between herself and her character. Unlike Manpreet, who set up a subscription account, Rebecca says she would never join OnlyFans. “I wouldn’t say no to an Only Flans account, though — I love baking,” she joked .
“I see my Instagram as like a brand,” she explained. “There is nothing wrong with posting a bikini holiday snap on Instagram. It’s me being a bit cheeky, having some fun” .
She has received positive feedback, mainly from women. “They have sent nice messages saying, ‘Yeah come on . . . #strongwoman and #girlpower'” .
Awards and Recognition
Rebecca has received recognition for her work on Emmerdale. In 2022, she was nominated for Best Leading Performer at the British Soap Awards. She was also nominated for Serial Drama Performance at the National Television Awards in the same year .
In 2023, she received a nomination for Best Partnership at the Inside Soap Awards, alongside co-star Kevin Mathurin, who plays her on-screen love interest Charles Anderson .
What’s Next for Rebecca Sarker?
Rebecca continues to appear on Emmerdale as Dr Manpreet Sharma. She has expressed her love for the role. “I love seeing her develop. She has some great lines and I hope viewers think she is real and plausible” .
She is also aware that her time on the show may eventually end. “I do feel she has more to offer but obviously nobody is bigger than the show. If my time ever comes up, so be it, and I have had a wonderful time” .
Whether she remains in the Dales for years to come or moves on to new projects, Rebecca Sarker has already secured her place in soap history.
FAQs
How old is Rebecca Sarker?
She was born in 1975 and is 50 years old as of 2025.
What is Rebecca Sarker net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly disclosed, but she has earned steadily from her 25-year acting career.
Who is Rebecca Sarker’s husband?
She is married to a man named Rico, who works in the city. They have two sons together.
What role does Rebecca Sarker play in Emmerdale?
She plays Dr Manpreet Sharma, the village GP. She joined the show in 2018.
What other soaps has Rebecca Sarker been in?
She played Nita Desai on Coronation Street (1999-2000) and has appeared in EastEnders, Doctors, Holby City and Casualty.
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