EastEnders stars share huge plot twist – insisting ‘there’s a lot more’ to character’s death than fans think

EastEnders stars Sophie Khan Levy and Shiv Jalota have teased what’s to come from Nish Panesar’s terminal illness storyline, revealing that ‘there’s a lot more to see’

It’s been a dramatic few weeks with the Panesar family on EastEnders – fans recently watched as the villainous Nish (Navin Chowdhry) was rushed to hospital and his family learnt that he had just weeks left to live due to a debilitating health condition. With Nish unlikely to receive a heart transplant, which he needs after being diagnosed with viral myocarditis, the soap icon is reportedly set for an ‘explosive exit’ – or is he?

EastEnders stars Sophie Khan Levy and Shiv Jalota aren’t too sure that we’ll see the last of Nish Panesar despite his terminal diagnosis, with the actors teasing a major storyline to come. Speaking to OK! in an exclusive chat at the Inside Soap Awards on Monday 30 September, Sophie – who plays Nish’s ex-daughter-in-law and one-time lover – revealed that he could “come back from anything”.

**Nish Panesar was recently diagnosed with a terminal illness on EastEnders, with doctors believing he has just weeks left to live** (Image: BBC)

“Nish has a terminal illness but it’s Nish Panesar so I feel like you should ever feel like you’re totally safe with Nish,” she siad. “He’s so full of rage and vengeance, I’m sure he could come back from anything.”

Shiv, who plays Nish’s son Vinny, added: “He’s pivotal to the Panesar storyline, the villain of the show at the moment – one of the villains – he’s always the shadow in the background and there’s a lot more to see. It’s insane.”

Navin joined the BBC One soap as Nish back in 2022, arriving in Albert Square as the controlling husband who was released from prison after murdering Suki’s friend. Earlier this year, Navin shared a heartfelt message of support for his wife Charlie amid her breast cancer battle, after she underwent surgery in February 2023.

**Sophie – who plays Nish’s ex-daughter-in-law and one-time lover – revealed that Nish could “come back from anything”** (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

**Shiv, who plays Nish’s son Vinny, said that Nish is “always the shadow in the background” on EastEnders** (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

“My wife was diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer back in the summer of 2020, and like so many of you out there, it just opens a door to a world you hope you never see,” he wrote. “To my wife and to all of you cancer warriors out there, I am just totally in awe of the strength that you have within yourselves. You are an inspiration and you all are just extraordinary.”

As for what’s coming up in EastEnders, Teddy Mitchell’s ex-wife Nicola – played by Laura Doddington – is arriving on the cobbles in the future. The actress said: “I still can’t believe I’ve joined EastEnders I keep pinching myself! I grew up watching the show, so the first time I filmed in The Vic, I was like a kid at Christmas to be in such an iconic place with such a brilliant cast and crew.”

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday from 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.