EastEnders brings back character Shabnam Masood

EastEnders bosses are bringing back character Shabnam Masood in January after five years off-screen.

The character – originally played by Zahra Ahmadi – has been recast, with 29-year-old Rakhee Thakrar.

EastEnders executive producer, Dominic Treadwell-Collins, said on the official soap’s website “Masood and Tamwar have been missing a female presence in their lives and Shabnam’s return to Albert Square in January is well overdue – and, by that time, vital…

“We’ve been exhaustive in our recasting of Shabnam and when Rakhee walked in the room, everyone – including Nitin – knew that she was perfect.

“The Shabnam who returns home is older, wiser and a chip off her mother’s block. And – of course – carrying a terrible secret from her time away from Walford.”