Former Coronation Street and Shameless actor Qasim Akhtar has received a public apology and damages from the Daily Mail after the newspaper admitted that claims it published about the actor and his alleged links to Islamic extremism were false.
It’s the second national newspaper settlement secured by Akhtar over false reporting about his Muslim faith, after The Sun in July separately apologised in open court and agreed to pay damages over false allegations linking him to extremism, radicalisation and violence in an article published in November 2025.
The Daily Mail published an article on 22 November 2025 which claimed that Akhtar had “moved to Pakistan and condemned his degenerate past”. The article also referred to Akhtar meeting Islamic preacher Uthman Ibn Farooq and stated that he had “praised” his “beautiful reminders”.
Akhtar instructed leading media law firm Taylor Hampton to take action against Associated Newspapers Limited, publishers of the Daily Mail.
The Daily Mail has now accepted that the claims were false, agreed to pay Akhtar damages and issued a public apology and clarification on its website and Facebook page.
In its statement published online today, the Daily Mail said:
“An article dated 22 November 2025 about the ex-Coronation Street star Qasim Akhtar claimed that he had ‘moved to Pakistan and condemned his degenerate past’. The article also referred to Mr Akhtar meeting Islamic preacher Uthman Ibn Farooq and stated that he had ‘praised’ his ‘beautiful reminders’.
We now accept that these claims were false. In fact, Manchester was and remains Mr Akhtar’s home and, although he did meet Mr Farooq, he has never endorsed or supported extremist views. We have agreed to pay Mr Akhtar a sum in damages and apologise for any harm caused to him.”
The Daily Mail’s clarification can be read here: Clarifications and Corrections – Daily Mail.
The settlement comes shortly after Akhtar secured a separate apology, statement in open court, and damages from News Group Newspapers, publishers of The Sun, following another article published in November 2025. In that case, The Sun accepted that allegations concerning Akhtar were “entirely false and should never have been published”.
The newspaper acknowledged that Akhtar had never endorsed or supported extremist views, had never been involved in or associated with radicalisation and, contrary to its reporting, had neither moved to Pakistan nor undertaken firearms training. The Sun apologised unreservedly for the “serious harm and distress” caused and agreed to pay Akhtar damages.
Akhtar has maintained throughout both disputes that he was unfairly portrayed through the prism of his Muslim faith and subjected to extremely damaging assumptions about his beliefs and character.
The 34-year-old actor first became a familiar face to millions playing Chesney Karib in Channel 4’s award-winning comedy drama Shameless for seven series between 2007 and 2013. He subsequently joined Coronation Street as Zeedan Nazir in 2014, playing the character across a number of storylines until 2023.
Daniel Taylor, Managing Partner of Taylor Hampton, whose clients have included Sir Elton John and fellow former Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati, said:
“Qasim has now received apologies and damages from two major national newspaper publishers over extremely serious allegations which were simply untrue.
These were not trivial inaccuracies. Allegations or implications connecting somebody with extremism have the capacity to cause enormous reputational and personal harm.
Qasim has been steadfast throughout in challenging what was published about him. We are pleased that Associated Newspapers has now acknowledged that these claims were false, apologised and agreed to compensate him for the harm caused.”
Jay Joshi, Senior Associate at Taylor Hampton, who acted for Akhtar, said:
“The allegations published about Qasim went directly to his reputation, his beliefs and his identity. The Daily Mail has now expressly accepted that Manchester was and remains Qasim’s home and that he has never endorsed or supported extremist views.
Qasim was entitled to have the record corrected clearly and publicly. This settlement, together with the separate resolution reached with The Sun, provides important vindication following what has been an incredibly difficult period for him.
No individual should find themselves having to disprove serious allegations of extremism on the basis of assumptions drawn from their religion.”
Qasim Akhtar said:
“I’m pleased that the Daily Mail has now publicly acknowledged that these claims about me were false.
This is the second national newspaper to apologise and pay me damages over stories which portrayed me in a completely false and deeply damaging way.
I am a proud Muslim and my faith should never be used as a basis to target and portray me as an extremist or to make false assumptions about what I believe.
Manchester has always remained my home. I did not move to Pakistan as was claimed and I have never endorsed or supported extremist views.
The past year has been incredibly difficult for me and my family. Having two national newspapers make these kinds of allegations about you has consequences that extend far beyond a headline.
I am grateful that the truth has now been acknowledged and the record corrected. I hope what has happened to me makes people think carefully about the very real damage that can be caused when someone’s religion is used to make assumptions about their character or beliefs.”
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Taylor Hampton is a specialist media law firm with extensive experience in defamation and libel claims against national newspapers. If you have been the subject of false or damaging reporting, please contact us on 0207 427 5970 or at enquiries@taylorhampton.co.uk.