Major EastEnders star quits soap after two years – as show legend set to return
EASTENDERS star Navin Chowdhry has quit the BBC soap.
The actor, 53, who plays evil Nish Panesar, will leave the show in upcoming scenes, the Sun has revealed.
The exact nature of his exit plot is being kept tightly under wraps but his character is currently dying of a heart condition and needs a transplant.
A show source said: “It’s not known if Nish will be killed off, even though his health is suffering, but expect the exit to be very impactful and dramatic.
“Navin has made quite the impact on the show in the two years he has been a part of it, especially as a key part of the huge Christmas storyline with The Six. He’ll be missed by cast, crew and viewers alike.”
The Sun has contacted a spokesperson for the soap for comment.
Navin joined the show in September 2022 as the ex husband of Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal).
He terrorised Suki after being released from prison, and was one of the favourites to die on Christmas Day as part of the mystery surrounding which male character would be bumped off.
In the end, while Nish was hit over the head with a bottle by Denise after he attacked Suki in the Vic, it was Keanu Taylor who met his maker at the hands of Linda Carter.
Since then, Nish has been trying to break up Suki and her girlfriend Eve, but has failed to do so.
He also recently attempted to frame Vinny for his own money laundering.
Prior to joining the BBC soap, Navin was best known for his role in Channel 4 drama Teachers, and Sky One detective spoof, A Touch of Cloth.
He has also starred in army series Our Girl and Appletv+ comedy, Trying.
Navin’s exit comes as The Sun revealed Ross Kemp will be returning to his roots by fronting a documentary about the soap’s 40th anniversary next February.
A source said: “Ross is joining in celebrations by hosting his own EastEnders documentary.
“He will interview stars past and present about why it is so good and how important it is. EastEnders will always have a special place in his heart and he’s really excited.”
Asked about a return to EastEnders last week on This Morning, he said: “I can tell you nothing.”
Ross first played hardman Grant Mitchell in Ross in 1999, but quit after nearly a decade.
He made brief returns in 2005 and 2016.