A NEWCOMER is on their way to EastEnders and may be a familiar face to soap fans.
The BBC soap has cast actress Bharti Patel, best known for playing Ruhma Carter in daytime medical soap Doctors.
Bharti joined the cast of Doctors in 2015 and has remained with the show since.
Sadly Doctors is set to soon end, with its final episode airing in December.
Throughout her stint in Doctors, the character Ruhma’s storylines have included living with partial deafness and being suspended from her job.
The show also explored her relationship with partner Heston Carter (Owen Brenman) – as well as dealing with his subsequent death.
Bharti will make her first appearance in Albert Square next week, playing the guest character Maya Houssain, an unexpected new friend of Harvey Monroe (played by Ross Boatman).
Next week, Harvey will be seen feeling lonely following the departures of his mates Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths) and Tom “Rocky” Cotton (Brian Conley) from Walford.
However, Harvey’s partner Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) will encourage the dad-of-two to make new friends.
This comes in the form of Maya, whom Harvey unexpectedly bumps into as the week continues.
Harvey offers to take her cab fare and help her, with the pair ultimately bonding over their shared love of Tottenham Hotspur.
Will their bond be strictly friendship or could there be anything more? How will Jean react to Harvey and Maya’s new friendship?
EastEnders facts and figures
THE beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.
EastEnders follows the lives of the residents of Walford as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.
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Actor and professional poker player Ross Boatman joined EastEnders in 2021, being introduced as the father of Dana Monroe (Barbara Smith).
Dana was formerly the girlfriend of Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell) and departed the soap in September 2022.
Following the exits of Dana and son Aaron (Charlie Wernham), Harvey is the last remaining member of his family on the BBC soap.