Iconic EastEnders star QUITS the BBC soap and will exit in ‘very impactful and dramatic’ scenes

The actor will reportedly depart in upcoming scenes.

Navin Chowdhry has quit EastEnders after just two years on the hit soap.

The actor, 53, who portrays evil Nish Panesar, will reportedly leave the BBC show in ‘very impactful and dramatic’ upcoming scenes.

Despite his exit plot being unknown, his character Nish is currently dying of a heart condition and needs a transplant.

A show source told The Sun: ‘It’s not known if Nish will be killed off, even though his health is suffering, but expect the exit to be very impactful and dramatic.

‘Navin has made quite the impact on the show in the two years he has been a part of it, especially as a key part of the huge Christmas storyline with The Six. He’ll be missed by cast, crew and viewers alike.’

We have contacted an EastEnders spokesperson for comment.

Navin joined EastEnders in September 2022 as the ex husband of Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal).

He terrorised Suki after being released from prison, and was one of the favourites to die on Christmas Day as part of the mystery surrounding which male character would be killed off.

In a shock plot twist, Nish was hit over the head with a bottle by Denise Fox (Diane Parish) as she tried to defend his wife Suki from his abuse – but all was not as it seemed.

Though Nish first appeared to be dead, Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) burst into the Queen Victoria pub and upon seeing Nish’s body, became embroiled in a fight with Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) after their wedding was called off when his attempted kidnap of her son Albie was revealed.

Despite Nish seemingly having been revealed as the murder victim, Keanu tried to strangle Sharon as she told him she would send him to prison over his attempted kidnap of Albie if he said anything about Nish’s apparent death.

In a very unexpected twist, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) then grabbed a knife and stabbed Keanu in the back in a bid to save Sharon’s life, with Suki being seen reviving her abusive husband Nish in the final moments of the episode.

Since then, Nish has been trying to break up Suki and her girlfriend Eve, but has failed to do so.

He also recently attempted to frame Vinny for his own money laundering.

Prior to joining the BBC soap, Navin was best known for his role in Channel 4 drama Teachers, and Sky One detective spoof, A Touch of Cloth.

He has also starred in army series Our Girl and Appletv+ comedy, Trying.

It comes after Navin admitted earlier this year that he sometimes asks producers to tone down scenes for his own safety.

In February father-of-two Navin wanted viewers to know he is nothing like his villainous character.

‘There have been moments when we’ve had scenes and I’ll speak to the producer and I’ll say, “I’m going to have to go on the school run and you’re making me beat up every woman on Albert Square”,’ Navin told the Daily Star. ‘I’ve been scared.’

Navin admitted that there has been some backlash from fans who appear to have muddied the waters between him and Nish.

‘There has been the odd comment,’ he said. ‘There are a few unfriendly messages I’ve been on the receiving end of. But most people get it.’

Navid said he is very aware of the hatred toward Nish, and how many had hoped he would be the one killed at Christmas.

‘I apologise to the audience that I’m still around,’ he added.

As an actor however, Navid said that playing evil characters can be the most fun. ‘I enjoy being evil,’ he said.

Navid went on to say that actors often agree you have the ‘best fun’ when ‘doing the darkest stuff.

He added: ‘Sometimes when you go really dark, the flipside is you have a very fun experience on set.’