EastEnders has signed up a Footballers’ Wives legend for a major new role on the soap.
Actress Laila Rouass will be making her EastEnders debut month, playing the mysterious Ayesha. The character arrives in Walford following an invitation from Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) – who as fans will recall, is dying.
And it’s pretty clear that she has history with not just him, but Suki (Balvinder Sopal) and the rest of the Panesar family. It is also revealed that Ayesha knew Suki and Nish a long time ago – but they haven’t been in touch for many years.
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Speaking about her guest appearance on the soap, Laila Rouass said: “I cannot tell you how excited I am to be in EastEnders! I was born in the East End and grew up there, and there was such a buzz when the show started.
“Even though I was little at the time, I can clearly remember the first episode and Doctor Legg arriving at the flat where Reg Cox had been murdered. I’ve also known Navin Chowdhry (Nish Panesar) for many years, so it was great to work with him again and to do scenes with Balvinder Sopal (Suki Panesar) and the rest of the Panesars as Ayesha reunites with them. This is a lifelong dream come true!”
Actress Laila is no stranger to appearing on screens. She found fame in the 2000s, playing Amber Gates in ITV’s Footballers’ Wives, having joined in series three as the love rival of Tanya Turner (Zöe Lucker).
Laila appeared on the racy ITV show between 2004 and 2006, and as well as in the ITV2 spin-off series Footballers’ Wives: Extra Time.
(Image: BBC)
In 2009, she had a recurring role in ITV’s Primeval, and went on to feature in The Sarah Jane Adventures, Spooks, Holby City and The Lodge. Laila also appeared in the Ruth Jones Sky comedy drama show, Stella, playing Maria in 2016.
And in 2009, she took part in the seventh series of strictly-come-dancing>Strictly Come Dancing. The TV star was partnered with Anton Du Beke on the glitzy BBC One show, finishing in fourth place.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
