Footballers’ Wives legend Laila Rouass is set to join the cast of EastEnders.
The actress, who is best known for her role as Amber Gates on the iconic early-2000s footy drama, is taking on the role of new character Ayesha, whose arrival will send shockwaves through the Panesar family.
Ayesha rocks up in Walford next month, following an invitation from Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry).
At present, it is unclear what exactly has brought her to town and what devious Nish is up to now. However, bosses have teased Ayesha has history with him and his ex-wife Suki (Balvinder Sopal), although they’ve not been in touch for many years.
Laila, who has also appeared in Holby City as Sahira Shah, called her short stint in Walford ‘a lifelong dream come true’.
‘I cannot tell you how excited I am to be in EastEnders!’ she said.
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‘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 for many years, so it was great to work with him again and to do scenes with Balvinder Sopal and the rest of the Panesars as Ayesha reunites with them,’ she added.
As fans will know, dying Nish is currently wreaking havoc among his family, who are split down the middle about supporting him in his final months.
Ex-wife Suki and son Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) are currently plotting to get him to sign over the family business to them in his will, while next week’s episodes also see Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan-Levy) attempt to take revenge on him for his recent plot against her, as she holds him hostage at the Minute Mart.
Laila’s first scenes as Ayesha air on Monday 5 August, with Laila having completed filming earlier this year.
