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

The part - originally played by Zahra Ahmadi - has been recast, with 29-year-old Rakhee Thakrar taking over the role, reports The Sun on Sunday.

Rakhee Thakrar
© BAFTA
Rakhee Thakrar


Thakrar has previously appeared in Holby City, Doctors, Peep Show and BBC Bollywood opera Karmen, alongside ex-EastEnders actress Preeya Kalidas.

Thakrar said of her new part: "Having grown up watching EastEnders with my family, I'm really excited to now be joining the show. I can't wait to become part of the Masood family and start working with the rest of the amazing EastEnders cast and crew."

Daughter of Masood and now-departed Zainab, Shabnam has not been seen on the soap since she left Albert Square in 2008.

Ahmadi quit the role after just 14-months, amid claims that she was frustrated by a lack of storylines for her character.