EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami exited Walford in heartbreaking scenes last year leaving Kush Kazemi-shaped hole in the square.
The soap star, 39, was central to the soap since his 2014 debut and his departure was a big impact in Walford after Kush was pushed in front of a moving underground train by evil serial killer Gray Atkins.
Though fans know everything about the late market trader Kush, they might be surprised to learn a little more about Davood’s personal life.
As Kush’s fiancé Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) takes in the news that he was murdered, Daily Star has done a deep dive into Davood’s family life, looking back at his childhood and exploring his glamorous Essex home.
Gorgeous wife
(Image: mirror.co.uk)
Kush’s relationships were central to his time in the square, splitting with Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) only to propose to Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty).
Davood’s home life, thankfully, is a lot more peaceful, with the actor celebrating his 12-year anniversary with his wife Isobel this August.
Enjoying a summer wedding in 2010, Davood told The Scottish Sun at the time: “Getting married capped an amazing year for me — even though trying to fit the wedding in amongst work was a nightmare.
“My brothers — who were my best men — had to rearrange my stag do because of filming dates.”
(Image: INSTAGRAM)
The sweethearts live together in their family home in Essex, with their two young daughters – Eva and Grace.
Though Davood is active on social media, Isobel prefers to keep a low profile.
Paying tribute to his leading lady, Davood mentioned his wife during an appearance on It Takes Two four years ago, discussing his stint on Strictly.
When asked whether Isobel minded the saucy dance routines, Davood said: “She loved it, she was really nervous before. She was nervous for me.”
Stylish home
(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Davood occasionally shares a glimpse of his family home in Essex over social media, updating fans on his health-conscious lifestyle.
His garden, which is hemmed in by a wooden fence and features a stone patio, transforms into an outdoor gym in the summertime.
The soap star has a workout bike, hand weights and lays out an exercise mat, allowing him to enjoy a full-body workout from the comfort of home.
Davood also installed a slip n’ slide for his daughters, who have painted the garden walls in colourful primary colours.
(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Their living room features stylish silver and white wallpaper, patterned with sprawling leaves.
With a push grey rug and an Aga installed into the wall, the lounge is the ideal spot for cosy family nights in.
Davood and Isobel like to fill the house with flowers, dotting vases of fresh cuts around their home.
And, when it comes to special occasions, they deck the place out with decorations, with a lightbox and jazzy tablecloth sprucing up the kitchen table.
Fitness transformation
(Image: Instagram)
With six-pack abs and bulging biceps, Davood is devoted to his fitness regime, refusing to let the lockdown get in the way of his workouts.
Pre-pandemic, the dad-of-two was an advocate for CrossFit, a form of high-intensity interval training that focuses on strength and conditioning.
He regularly shared pictures from the gym, telling fans last July: “Great to get back at it today and at a brand new #CrossFit facility!!! The best people. Ever. #CrossFit #CrossFit424 #gymsreopen.”
(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
However, when the lockdown forced gyms into closure, the EastEnders favourite transformed his back garden into his personal haven for exercise.
Chuffed with his results last summer, the actor shared a topless snap with his fans, documenting his progress.
He said: “When training pays off. Muscle up time!!!! #CrossFit @crossfit.424 #muscleup.”
Roles before EastEnders
As an actor, Davood got his big break in 2005 when he landed a small role as Mero Hashid in the hit BBC One soap opera Casualty.
Roles in Dream Team, Doctors and The Bill followed, with Davood building up experience in some of Britain’s most popular shows.
However, breakout success came when he bagged the role of pathologist Duncan Clark on the crime drama Taggart.
The gig was a difficult one for Davood, who battled queasiness when faced with the fake corpses in the pathology lab.
“It was quite hard to deal with because the stuff was so graphic,” he told The Scottish Sun in 2010.
(Image: PA)
“There were dead bodies, images of genuine crime scenes and it was horrible.
“The pictures were horrific and made me feel queasy. When you’re looking at pictures like this, you can’t help think about the stories behind the corpses.
“Some of them have been the victims of unspeakable crimes. I’ve also realised just how important the pathology profession is.”
Four years later, BBC bosses picked him for the role of EastEnders’ Kush Kazemi – and the rest is history.
Childhood heartache
(Image: PA)
Growing up in Harlow, Essex, Davood moved schools after facing bullying as a child – an ordeal that inspired his acting career.
His British-Iranian background prompted bullies to call him cruel names, leading him to find a new school in the hopes of a fresh start.
Speaking to The Mirror in 2017, David explained he had been a “shy” child who struggled to get help after facing name-calling.
He said: “At the time there were fewer people of mixed backgrounds in schools… I wasn’t involved in anything physical but name-calling can be harder hitting when you’re a young lad.
(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
“There were times it got too much I didn’t want to go to school any more.”
“I started somewhere new and it was much more accepting. But I hope bullying’s now being dealt with far better than when I was young.”
Davood turned to acting as an outlet for his emotions, building up his confidence and eventually leading to an impressive career before the cameras.
EastEnders exit
(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
EastEnders fans were shaken in September 2020 when they learned Kush was about to get written out of the soap.
Promising fans the exit would take place in early 2021, an EastEnders rep confirmed the soap star would be leaving once his contract ended.
The representative told Radio Times: “We can confirm Davood will be leaving EastEnders when his contract comes to an end next year. Davood has been a wonderful addition to EastEnders and we wish him all the best for the future.”
Kate Oates, head of continuing drama at the BBC, added they will miss Davood “hugely” on set.
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Though his exit was a sad one, Davood’s co-star Shona McGarty confirmed the actor was “excited” about filming his final scenes.
“It was a strange day,” she told Digital Spy.
“We are very close and he’s been on the Square for a long time so we’re all really good friends. It was a sad day but very exciting to film, I know that he was very excited.
“It’s big stuff, it’s such big stuff that we felt like we were doing a film. It was a really exciting day.”
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One at 7.30pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
