EastsEnders star Nitin Ganatra has revealed that he is keen to explore Masood Ahmed's "wild side" in the coming months.

Masood will soon be a single man again as his long-time partner Zainab (Nina Wadia) bows out from Albert Square at the end of this week.


Speaking to Inside Soap, Ganatra promised that his character still has a bright future in Walford despite Zainab's departure.

Ganatra commented: "It was very sad to see the end of that relationship, but the positive side is that we can explore a new side to Masood now. I'm an optimist - when one door shuts, another will open. And I'm very excited by what our executive producer Lorraine Newman has planned.

"It'd be great to see Masood's wild side finally come out - the party animal! It's something that I've pitched to the writers, so if I talk about it enough, they might just go with it!"

He continued: "It would be nice if one of Masood's ex-girlfriends turned up and revealed what he was like in his early years, before he was a practising Muslim. It would have to be someone like, well… a shorter Uma Thurman, I reckon!"

In the meantime, Masood strikes up a bond with Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) next week as he helps her out at the café.

Discussing the pair's new spark, Ganatra added: "There may well be a hint of something there. Lindsey Coulson is one of my favourite actresses. She's very funny and quirky.

"It's often the case in EastEnders that you don't get to interact with too many different characters. But now the doors are open, Masood should flirt with all the ladies!"

EastEnders airs Zainab's final episode on Friday (February 8) at 8pm on BBC One.