During Wednesday and Thursday’s episodes, which are available to watch now on iPlayer before they air on BBC One tonight, the Masoods appeared to be the talk of the town
EastEnders fans are convinced Zainab Masood is returning to Walford 11 years after her shock exit. The outspoken matriarch of the Masood family arrived in the Square back in 2007.
Feisty Zainab, played by Nina Wadia, was faced with many storylines including her struggles with her son’s sexuality and the return of her abusive first husband Yusef Khan (Ace Bhatti). But after six years, Zainab waved goodbye to Walford with her young son Kamil in tow for a new life in Pakistan – and hasn’t been seen since.
However, in latest episodes of the BBC soap, Jade Green (Elizabeth Green) gave an update on her grandmother Zainab and dropped a bombshell on her dad Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo). Shabnam Masood called her daughter Jade and told her that they were moving to Pakistan to be with Zainab, who was unwell.
Although Zainab would be okay and it wasn’t too serious, Shabnam still wanted to move closer to be with her, and demanded Jade goes as well. But Dean is refusing to let Jade move across the world following her lung transplant.
In a deadly move, Dean has conjured up a plan to keep Jade in Walford with him by emptying her medication needed for a chest infection. Meanwhile across the Square, a row between Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) and estranged wife Suki (Balvinder Sopal) saw the pair mention Masood Ahmed’s name, who was married to Zainab.
Suki confirmed to her husband that their landlord Masood (Nitin Ganatra) is happy to put the lease for the property into her name following their bitter split. This has sparked a frenzy online with EastEnders fans who think Zainab will return to Walford with her ex-husband Masood in tow.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), one person wrote: “Jade is in such a hard place. Dean isn’t wrong about her health although it’s coming from selfish reasons. Her condition may be worsened going abroad but she misses her mum. Bring Zainab and Shabnam back to Walford already. I miss them!! #EastEnders.”
A second stated: “The fact we’ve had Zainab AND Masood mentions by two different families in the latest #EastEnders episodes… they’re on their way home I just know it”. Another demanded: “BRING. ZAINAB. BACK. NOW.”
“Mentioning Zainab and Masood’s name this episode made me smile. Bring them back!!! #eastenders @bbceastenders #EastEnders”, added one fan.
“Zainab 100% has no idea Jade is in contact with Dean, because she would not be having this living situation. We need her back! #EastEnders”, demanded another.
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