EastEnders signs Strictly star Laila Rouass for steamy new storyline
EASTENDERS has signed up actress Laila Rouass for an intriguing new storyline.
New character Ayesha, played by Laila, is set to arrive in Walford following an invitation from Nish (Navin Chowdhry).
It soon becomes clear that she has history with him, Suki and the Panesar family.
Laila, who is best-known for her roles in Holby City, Primeval and Footballer’s Wives, will take on the role of Ayesha for a guest stint on the BBC soap.
It will transpire that Ayesha knew Suki and Nish a long time ago, but they haven’t been in touch for many years.
Discussing her upcoming appearance, Laila said: “I cannot tell you how excited I am to be in EastEnders!
“I was born in the East End and grew up there, and there was such a buzz when the show started.
“Even though I was little at the time, I can clearly remember the first episode and Doctor Legg arriving at the flat where Reg Cox had been murdered.
“I’ve also known Navin Chowdhry (Nish Panesar) for many years, so it was great to work with him again and to do scenes with Balvinder Sopal (Suki Panesar) and the rest of the Panesars as Ayesha reunites with them.
“This is a lifelong dream come true!”
Ayesha is reuniting with the Panesars amid a tumultous time for the clan in Albert Square.
One of their youngest members, Davinder “Nugget” Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) was rushed to hospital in recent scenes.
Nugget and his friend Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladenga) had been using steroids unbeknown to their boxer trainer Zack Hudson (James Farrar).
Meanwhile, a dying Nish received a shock offer from his ex daughter-in-law Priya (Sophie Khan Levy).
Priya proposed giving the villain sexual favours, in exchange for all his money after he’s gone.
The idea was to help secure the futures of Priya’s children – Nugget and Avani (Aaliyah James).
This plan backfired after Priya refused to tell the others about her and Nish’s deal – prompting him to expose her as retaliation, saying that she threw herself at him.
Best soap affair love triangles
LOVE triangles are a fundamental part of soap-land, but which ones have become the most iconic?
EASTENDERS
Bradley/Stacey/Max: Stacey Slater began an affair with boyfriend Bradley Branning’s dad Max in 2007.
Despite their romps, Stacey still married Bradley, but their deceit came out in an iconic Christmas Day episode that year.
Grant/Sharon/Phil: Heading even further back in Walford history, EastEnders fans were gripped in the 90s as Sharon Watts had a one-night stand with her brother-in-law Phil Mitchell.
Sharon confided in best friend Michelle Fowler – not realising it was caught on tape – and her husband Grant eventually found out and played it in front of everyone at the Queen Vic.
Syed/Amira/Christian: Syed Masood was engaged to Amira before realising he had feelings for another man, Christian, which he confessed to him on his wedding day.
A devout Muslim, Syed refused to admit his true sexuality and went ahead and married Amira anyway, but when they returned, the two men started an affair before being caught in the act by Amira.
CORONATION STREET
Shelley/Peter/Lucy: Peter Barlow took the concept of a love triangle and ran with it in Coronation Street – extending it to bigamy.
He was in a relationship with Shelley Unwin but started dating Lucy Richards, and quickly married her after she fell pregnant with his son, Simon.
But it didn’t stop him also marrying Shelley, but he was eventually caught when Lucy turned up in Weatherfield and the two women confronted him.
Ken/Deidre/Mike: Back in 1982, Deirdre Barlow started sleeping with her husband’s nemesis Mike Baldwin in secret, before confessing all a year later.
When Mike turned up at the marital home, Deirdre was being throttled by her husband who then kicked her out, but years later they reconciled.
Maria/Aidan/Eva: In 2017, Aidan Connor started sleeping with girlfriend Eva Price’s best friend, Maria Connor.
Eva eventually found out and she decided to take revenge by faking a pregnancy, spending his money and planned to confront him on their wedding day.
But she had a change of heart when a remorseful Aidan confessed, and decided to marry him anyway, only for Maria to arrive and expose her fake pregnancy.
EMMERDALE
Ross/Debbie/Pete: Debbie Dingle found herself torn between two brothers, Ross and Pete Barton in 2015 in Emmerdale.
She eventually decided to marry Pete but yet again, a soap wedding day was ruined when the groom learned of his bride’s betrayal via a recording played at the wedding.
Chrissie/Robert/Aaron: Robert Sugden was married to Chrissie White and all seemed well – until he began a steamy affair with Aaron Dingle.
Robert’s ex Katie Sugden almost exposed the affair – but fell to her death before she had the chance.
However, a guilty Aaron eventually cracked and told Chrissie about the affair – after which she announced it to the whole pub.
As a result, Priya was subsequently thrown out and left alone on the streets with no one to turn to.
Will Ayesha’s arrival spell justice being served to Nish?
Or will he continue to get away with his manipulation?
EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.