The much-mentioned character Nish Panesar will make his debut on EastEnders this autumn, it has been confirmed.
The father of Kheerat, Vinny and Ash has spent the last 20 years behind bars but is about to be released and will head to straight to Walford, where he will attempt to reconnect with his children and his estranged wife Suki (Balvinder Sopal).
Nish - played by Navin Chowdhry - is described as "charming and charismatic" but "ice-cold, manipulative and driven by a need for power and respect".
Exec producer Chris Clenshaw said: "The spectre of Nish Panesar is finally here, and it's been a pleasure welcoming Navin to the cast, and take to the role so effortlessly; he brings something to the character that none of us could've predicted.
"His dynamic on and off-screen, and we're excited to see where his character develops as the story grows."
Of joining the show, Chowdhry said: "It's been great – everyone has been lovely. My role at the moment has been focused around the Panesar family, but everyone has been extremely welcoming.
"I've never worked on a show like EastEnders, so it's been a new experience for me; but I loved the storylines and I've got a keen interest in this family because there's so much happening at all times!
"Nish is an interesting character – slightly unconventional, and with that brings drama, and mayhem. I think there's a good man under there but turmoil follows these guys [the Panesar's] around so I'm excited to join in and set off a few more explosions and fireworks."
Chowdhry has already started filming and his first scenes will air in the coming months.
Neil Wilkes
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