Alya Nazir is the daughter of the late Kal and Jamila Nazir. While out at a nightclub with her friend Siobhan Davies in June 2014, she met Gary Windass. Experiencing more problems with long-term partner Izzy Armstrong, a frustrated Gary asked Jason Grimshaw to accompany him on a night out. Alya instantly caught Gary's eye and after telling her that he was single, they shared a passionate kiss and spent the night together at Alya's flat.