Rajesh Kumar Jhanji (born 24 February 1970 in Portsmouth) better known by his stage name Raji James, is a British Indian actor, club night promotor and podcast co-host, best known for his roles as Ash Ferreira in EastEnders and as DS Vik Singh in The Bill. He also played Abdul Khan in the 1999 film East Is East. Between 2007-2008 he participated in The Ray Peacock Podcast. On 13 September 2010 Raji joined Ed Gamble and Ray Peacock in a special 50th episode of The Ray Peacock Podcast which was released at the same time as the 50th Episode of The Peacock and Gamble Podcast.

Biography

Raji was brought up in Paulsgrove. His early schooling was in Portsmouth and, whilst there, his drama tutor suggested he apply for a place at a drama college, although up until then, Raji had seriously considered joining the RAF as he was a sergeant in the cadet corps at school.

In 1988, he enrolled in the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and graduated with a Graduate Diploma (Degree Equivalent) in 1991. While a student, he found time to run the cellar bar at The Woodville Hotel in Woodville Road, Cathays. He was the Actor in Residence at Portsmouth College's Media Studies and Performing Arts Department, and is currently working part-time at Bucks New University in High Wycombe, running classes in audition technique, in particular focusing on the performance skills required for classic and modern monologues.

He has two children, Shannon and Riley.

In 2007, he started a club night with fellow Eastenders actor Ameet Chana. Based at Club 46 in London.

Raji married his fiancé Jo on 14 February 2010 at St Audries Park in Somerset.