BBC Virdee actor Staz Nairâs surprising boyband fame and X Factor success
As Staz Nair takes on the role of DCI Harry Virdee in the new BBC thriller Virdee, viewers may recognise the actor from his time on the X Factor in 2012 after he made it to Judges' Houses
As Staz Nair takes on the role of DCI Harry Virdee in the new BBC thriller Virdee, viewers may recognise the actor from his time on the X Factor in 2012 after he made it to Judges' HousesStaz Nair appeared on the X Factor in 2012 as part of the group Times Red (
Image: Ken McKay/PA Wire)
Viewers may know Staz Nair for his role in the new BBC drama Virdee, but X Factor fans may recognise him for his musical talents too.
As part of the new crime drama, the 33-year-old plays DCI Harry Virdee as he leads an investigation into a serial killer attacking the local community. But after the murderer kidnaps a police chiefâs child, Harryâs ethics are put on the line when he gets the help of his drug kingpin brother-in-law Riaz.
Although itâs Stazâs first leading role, X Factor fans may know him from his time on the show more than a decade ago. Prior to breaking into the world of acting, Staz found fame on X Factor back in 2012.
The group were chosen as Louis Walsh's 'wild card' act (
Image:
ITV)
During his time on the show, Staz, who was 19 at the time, was part of boyband Times Red and they impressed the judges Geri Halliwell, Tulisa Contostavlos, Louis Walsh and Gary Barlow with their cover of Rehab by Amy Winehouse. Their audition was made even more memorable when Stazâs bandmate lifted up his top to cheekily reveal his abs while on stage.
The group made it all the way to bootcamp, before Take That star Gary broke the news that they wouldnât be progressing further in the competition. âBootcamp for us made us realise how much we really, really want this. It was such a heartbreaking feeling,â Staz said, responding to the news.
âWhen you love something so much and you want something so, so much and it gets taken away from you, itâs a very hard thing to deal with.â
However, the group were then reinstated on the show after another act quit. Later on Times Red were later chosen as Louisâ âwild cardâ act. âWe feel like weâre on our third life in this show already! To have the possibility of a wild card is amazing,â they said at the time.
Unfortunately, their X Factor journey came to an end after they lost out on a place in the live shows when the public voted Chris Maloney through.
Although they may not have reached the final stages of the talent competition, Times Red continued with their music career and released their debut single, Just No Good For Me, in 2013.
Reflecting on his time on the show in an interview with The Telegraph in 2025, he said: âI remember feeling massive anxiety, but massive excitement, too.â
He added: âI was doing it with my adoptive brother. Heâs a phenomenal singer-songwriter, and he and I only got closer from that experience.â
Prior to securing a role in Virdee, Staz appeared in the sixth series of Game of Thrones, where he played the Dothraki horseman Qhono. In one scene, his character escorted Daenerys Targaryen through the desert while she was a Dothraki prisoner.
Staz is starring at DCI Harry Virdee in the new BBC thriller (
Image:
BBC)
Away from the spotlight, the TV star is married to Joana Tavia, an architect. The pair, who met in London but now live near Lisbon, tied the knot in Sintra, Portugal, last year in front of more than 100 loved ones, according to Dream Weddings Europe.
In a sweet Instagram post, Staz reflected on the special occasion. âI never plan on growing up, but growing old with you will be my greatest role in this lifetime. @jtavira,â he wrote.
âThank you for being the absolute s**t, in every aspect. You set the standard in every way. Not a day goes by I donât pinch myself.
âFind someone you love being silly with. Find someone you like to share everything with. Thankyou also to EVERYONE who shared this unbelievable weekend with us!â