Fire burning! It'll be a toasty Christmas in Albert Square... but which EastEnders will survive to see the New Year?

By Holly Thomas

Last updated at 1:44 AM on 24th December 2011


It's fires blazing for a second time in Albert Square this Christmas, as the B&B goes up in flames for a sizzling 2011 finale.

Masood Ahmed, played by Nitin Ganatra, does all he can to save his ex-wife Zainab (Nina Wadia) from the influence of the evil Yusef Khan- played by Ace Bhatti- but sadly his efforts are met with a terrifying revenge from the evil doctor.

It's still anyone's guess who bites the dust, but it certainly looks as though this will be the last Christmas at least one EastEnder sees.

Ruthless: The evil doctor Yusef (played by Ace Bhatti) sets fire to the B&B in a bid to kill arch-rival Masood (Nittin Ganatra) during the explosive EastEnders Boxing day episode

Left to burn? It doesn't look hopeful for well-meaning Masood as the fire creeps closer to his unconscious body

Events come to a head when Masood discovers that she has been drugged by Yusef.

Masood bravely confronts Yusef, however the villain manages to escape, and heads straight to the B&B to wreak his devastating revenge.


He is hotly pursued by Masood, however a fight between the pair leaves Zainab's would-be savior unconscious.

Horrified: Syed (Marc Elliott) and boyfriend Christian (John Partridge) hold back Zainab (Nina Wadia) as she desperately tries to enter the B&B to save Masood

Yusef then starts a fire in a ruthless attempt to put an end to his arch-rival.

Realising what has happened, the rest of the family rush over to try to save Masood and extinguish the blaze.

Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, has his own demons to battle meanwhile.

Fireworks: Christian, Patrick (Rudolph Walker) and Kim (Tameka Empson) watch as the B&B explodes

Cowering: The EastEnders draw back in alarm as the blaze gets out of control

Driven mad with signs that he is being followed by someone who knows a dark past secret, he also visits the B&B in a desperate bid to retrieve a package containing incriminating evidence which could bring him down.

The tension builds as water dripping throughout the house meets the exposed electrics, sparking fireworks which see the B&B explode with Phil, Denise, Yusef, Tamwar and Masood all trapped inside.

This isn't the only tragedy afoot for the beleaguered EastEnders, as on Tuesday, Pat collapses and on Thursday finds herself in hospital, awaiting the results of a CT scan.

Double tragedy: It's not looking good for Pat Evans- played by Pam St Clement- as she takes to her sick bed over Christmas

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2078260/EastEnders-Who-survive-New-Year.html#ixzz1hRtal3W6

EastEnders Spoiler: Afia turns against Yusef - Spoiler Pictures

'EastEnders': Afia turns against Yusef - Spoiler Pictures - Digital Spy

Published Tuesday, Nov 29 2011, 00:01 GMT | By Daniel Kilkelly

 

EastEnders villain Yusef Khan has a new problem to deal with in next week's episodes as his own daughter Afia starts to stand in the way of his plans.

Afia (Meryl Fernandes) turns against Yusef when she discovers the truth about the fire which nearly killed Zainab all those years ago. Fans will see how she makes the discovery in an upcoming episode.

Stunned that her father tried to kill Zainab, Afia makes it clear to Yusef (Ace Bhatti) that she knows his secret and warns that she will only keep quiet if he cuts ties with the Masoods and leaves London for good.

© BBC

However, Yusef is unprepared to let Zainab (Nina Wadia) go, so he makes the shock decision to tell her the truth about the fire. Zainab is immediately horrified to see Yusef's true colours and rushes out in an emotional state, before later returning and ordering the scheming doctor to leave.

Unwilling to go without a fight, Yusef tries to manipulate Zainab once again, reminding her that he was young and emotional at the time and that he risked his life by going back to save her.

Zainab ultimately makes a surprise decision of her own as she is finally won round by Yusef's words and agrees to marry him the next day.

While Zainab's family are unhappy over her plans, it's only Denise (Diane Parish) who seems willing to step in - warning Zainab that Yusef is controlling her and that she's strong enough to break free. Will Zainab heed her advice or will she marry Yusef?

© BBC

EastEnders airs these scenes on Tuesday, December 6 and Thursday, December 8 at 7.30pm on BBC One.

Preeya Kalidas reunited with her EastEnders family for London premiere of Four

The Masoods at the movies: Preeya Kalidas reunited with her EastEnders family for London premiere of Four

By Georgina Littlejohn

Last updated at 8:47 AM on 11th October 2011



She left EastEnders as a betrayed and heartbroken bride clutching her stomach to hint at a secret to the viewers.

And on the eve of her return to Albert Square, actress Preeya Kalidas came face-to-face with her on-screen family for what proved to be a far nicer reunion that her character.

Kalidas, 31, who plays Amira Masood in the soap, was attending the premiere of new film Four last night at the Empire Cinema in central London.

Comeback: Actress Preeya Kalidas attends the premiere of Four in London last night on the eve of her return to EastEnders

She was a guest of the film's executive producer Nina Wadia, who also plays her estranged mother-in-law Zainab Masood in the soap.

They were joined by other members of the soap family including Marc Elliot, who plays Syed Masood, Amirah's husband, Ace Bhatti, who plays Yusef Khan and his on-screen daughter Meryl Fernandes, who plays Afiah Masood, as well as Kylie Babbington, who plays her good friend Jodie Gold on the BBC show.

Breaking away from the Square: Nina Wadia, who plays Zainab Masood in EastEnders, is the executive producer of the new film

They were there to show support for Nina, who was executive producer on the film, working alongside her husband Raiomond Mirza, with whom she owns a production company called Oh My! Productions.

The film stars Sean Pertwee as although not much has been given away about the movie, the tagline reads, 'The plan: Kidnap your wife's lover. Take him to a remote warehouse. Hurt him a little. Scare him a lot. Keep your hands clean - hire a detective for the dirty work. Simple? There's no such thing as simple.'

Showing their support: Meryl Fernandes, who plays Nina's on-screen daughter-in-law, and her friend Kylie Babbington, who plays Jodie Gold, were also there

Even Nina herself wouldn't reveal the plot of the low-budget film which only has four cast members including Essex actress Kierston Wareing, who also joined the red carpet arrivals.
Speaking to Digital Spy, she said: 'This is the dangerous thing about this film, as I can't tell you too much! It's about a relationship that's gone wrong, and the games that people play in trying to sort out what should be a very private, intimate thing.

East End boys: Ace Bhatti, who plays Nina's ex-husband Yusef and Marc Elliot, who plays her son Syed

'But I can't tell you much more than that, because there's a fabulous twist in it! If I say anything more than that, it'll give it away.'

Nina is set to be reunited with Preeya in EastEnders this week, when Amira returns to the Square.

She left in March last year when she discovered that her new husband Syed was having a gay affair with Christian Clarke, played by John Partridge and it was also hinted that Amirah was pregnant as she left in a cab clutching her stomach and smiling.

Stars of the show: Sean Pertwee and Kierston Wareing, who are one half of a four person cast in the film, share a joke on the red carpet

But she returns after Christian and Syed track her down to get a divorce so they can marry and tonight, viewers will see her come back to the Square as it is revealed that she gave birth to a daughter.

A source on EastEnders said: 'Amira left Walford a heartbroken woman. When she finds out Syed is planning to marry Christian she is furious.

North meets south: Tanya Franks, who plays Rainie Cross in EastEnders cuddles up to friend Shobna Gulati, who plays Sunita Alahan in Coronation Street

'Amira is manipulative and her presence looks set to turn the lives of the Masoods upside down.

'The question is, has she moved on from her husband or will she do whatever she can to get him back? Only time will tell.'

Young star: Rachel Bright, who plays Poppy Meadow in EastEnders was also there

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2047723/Preeya-Kalidas-reunited-EastEnders-family-London-premiere-Four.html#ixzz1aSwkpu27