Latest news with #SukiPanesar
The Sun
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders fans demand character is axed over bizarre new storyline
EASTENDERS fans are demanding the axe falls on Suki Panesar after a bizarre new storyline. The businesswoman - who is played by actress Balvinder Sopal in the BBC soap - discovered her step-grandaughter Avani was pregnant earlier this month. 2 2 It came after Avani slept with abusive incel Joel Marshall in the controversial storyline. But things took a dark twist recently when Avani decided to have a termination and Suki tried to stop her. And in a further bizarre twist, Suki, a mother of four already, decided she was desperate for another baby - specifically Avani's. She has convinced Avani to have the baby and give it to her and wife Eve to raise it. However, Eve doesn't know of Suki's plan and has not yet even agreed to change her mind about having children. The entire storyline has seen viewers turn on Suki and call for her to be axed. One wrote: 'Suki is just so vile right now. 'The worst she's ever been, which is such a terrible shame after she's been so excellent for the last few years. 'I was such a huge Suki stan until literally this last fortnight.' A second said: '[EastEnders] is ruining Suki. I'd rather her be axed now than see this continue. So grim.' EastEnders reveals New Year's Day bloodbath survivors - and who DIES Another added: 'You cannot defend Suki and say that her behaviour is 'in character' or a 'trauma response' when it's actually just bad writing and controversy for controversy's sake.' A fourth commented: 'Years of character development erased in a fortnight. Time for Suki to go.' Darkest soap storylines Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock... EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) - Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca's adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police. Emmerdale: Holly's drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) - In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale's first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose. Hollyoaks: Luke's rape (2000) - Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap's first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs - who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance. Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) - Just a mere mention of 'Richard Hillman' is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it's not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn't.
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
EastEnders fans spot massive issue as Balvinder Sopal set to sign up for Strictly
EASTENDERS fans have spotted as a huge issue as star Balvinder Sopal is set to sign up for Strictly. The Sun revealed that Balvinder, who plays Suki Panesar, Advertisement 4 The Sun revealed EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal is set to sign up for Strictly Credit: Getty 4 The actress plays matriarch Suki Panesar in the BBC soap Credit: BBC 4 Suki was originally introduced as a villain - but later won her family over Credit: BBC A source said: 'EastEnders has been a happy hunting ground for Strictly bosses since the show first aired and they believe Balvinder will be a huge hit with fans. 'She's excited by the prospect, too, as she feels viewers will see a different side to her.' Writing online, soap fans have already spotted a big issue with the 46-year-old taking part. One wrote on Reddit: "Exciting! Didn't she have a leg injury though?" Advertisement Read more on EastEnders Another confirmed: "She broke her foot in 2024." At least year's Baftas, Balvinder The injury was later written into the character Suki's storyline in the BBC soap Meanwhile, other fans shared their excitement for Balvinder on Strictly, with one penning: "I'll be rooting for her, excited to watch." Advertisement Most read in Soaps Exclusive Exclusive A second person agreed: "YAASSSSS IM SO EXCITED FOR HER." While a third remarked: "Can't wait to see her outfits!!" EastEnders' Priya brutally blackmails Suki Panesar over her affair Before joining EastEnders in 2020, Balvinder made appearances in rival soaps Emmerdale , Coronation Street and Hollyoaks. Her character Suki was initially a villain, Advertisement She won their trust over the years - and has since built up a life in Albert Square. This includes a lesbian affair with Eve Unwin (Heather Peace), which ultimately evolved into the two getting married. Strictly has featured at least one current EastEnders star in the show's line-up in nearly every series since the dancing show first aired in 2004. Strictly 2025 - signings so far Strictly has yet to officially confirm the class of 2025, but here a few names who have already been linked to the series: The most recent example is Jamie Borthwick - aka Jay Brown - who took part in 2024. Advertisement This followed on from Previous Albert Square dancers have also included A BBC spokesman said: "We don't comment on speculation." 4 Last year's Strictly featured Balvinder's co-star Jamie Borthwick Credit: PA Advertisement
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders fans spot massive issue as Balvinder Sopal set to sign up for Strictly
EASTENDERS fans have spotted as a huge issue as star Balvinder Sopal is set to sign up for Strictly. The Sun revealed that Balvinder, who plays Suki Panesar, is set to join this year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up. 4 4 A source said: 'EastEnders has been a happy hunting ground for Strictly bosses since the show first aired and they believe Balvinder will be a huge hit with fans. 'She's excited by the prospect, too, as she feels viewers will see a different side to her.' Writing online, soap fans have already spotted a big issue with the 46-year-old taking part. One wrote on Reddit: "Exciting! Didn't she have a leg injury though?" Another confirmed: "She broke her foot in 2024." At least year's Baftas, Balvinder wore a gold ballet pump on one foot and a moonboot on the other, as well as supporting herself with crutches. The injury was later written into the character Suki's storyline in the BBC soap Meanwhile, other fans shared their excitement for Balvinder on Strictly, with one penning: "I'll be rooting for her, excited to watch." A second person agreed: "YAASSSSS IM SO EXCITED FOR HER." While a third remarked: "Can't wait to see her outfits!!" Before joining EastEnders in 2020, Balvinder made appearances in rival soaps Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks. Her character Suki was initially a villain, who faked cancer in a bid to win over her family who'd turned against her. She won their trust over the years - and has since built up a life in Albert Square. This includes a lesbian affair with Eve Unwin (Heather Peace), which ultimately evolved into the two getting married. Strictly has featured at least one current EastEnders star in the show's line-up in nearly every series since the dancing show first aired in 2004. The most recent example is Jamie Borthwick - aka Jay Brown - who took part in 2024. This followed on from Bobby Brazier (2023), James Bye (2022), Rose Ayling-Ellis (2021), Maisie Smith (2020) and Emma Barton (2019). Previous Albert Square dancers have also included Brian Conley (2017), Tameka Empson (2016), Kellie Bright (2015), Jake Wood (2014), Sid Owen (2012), Scott Maslen (2010), Ricky Groves (2009), Gillian Taylforth (2008), Letitia Dean (2007), Louisa Lytton (2006) Patsy Palmer (2005) and Christopher Parker (2004). A BBC spokesman said: "We don't comment on speculation."
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 set to sign huge EastEnders star after dramatic Six murder
STRICTLY Come Dancing is set to sign a big EastEnders star for this year's series, The Sun can exclusively reveal. The soap actress joins a long list of Albert Square residents who have competed on the BBC1 dance series - and done sensationally well. 4 4 The lucky star gearing up for the dance floor is Balvinder Sopal, 46, plays Walford matriarch Suki Panesar. Her hard-nosed character was one of the infamous 'Six' who covered up the murder of mechanic Keanu Taylor. A source said: 'EastEnders has been a happy hunting ground for Strictly bosses since the show first aired and they believe Balvinder will be a huge hit with fans. 'She's excited by the prospect, too, as she feels viewers will see a different side to her.' Balvinder made appearances in rival soaps Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks before bagging her breakthrough role on EastEnders. Her character Suki initially joined as a villain, faking cancer to win over her family who had all turned against her. But over the years she finally won them over, managing to escape the clutches of her abusive husband Nish who tried to kill her after discovering she had a secret lesbian affair with Eve Unwin. Suki finally married her lover having spent her entire adult life hiding her true sexuality and the couple now live with her son Vinny and stepson Ravi, and his children Davinder and Avani, and front various local businesses. In 2024 she was recognised for her work on Albert Square by winning the Soap Superstar gong at the Inside Soap Awards for her part in Keanu's death cover up - and bloody battles with husband Nish. Strictly has featured at least one current EastEnders star in the show's line-up in nearly every series since the dancing show first aired in 2004. EastEnders reveals New Year's Day bloodbath survivors - and who DIES Last year, Jamie Borthwick got the call up, following on from Bobby Brazier (2023), James Bye (2022), Rose Ayling-Ellis (2021), Maisie Smith (2020) and Emma Barton (2019). Previous Albert Square dancers have also included Brian Conley (2017), Tameka Empson (2016), Kellie Bright (2015), Jake Wood (2014), Sid Owen (2012), Scott Maslen (2010), Ricky Groves (2009), Gillian Taylforth (2008), Letitia Dean (2007), Louisa Lytton (2006) Patsy Palmer (2005) and Christopher Parker (2004). BBC spokesman said: "We don't comment on speculation." 4 4
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders star Heather Peace reveals she continued to film after cancer diagnosis because she thought she'd DIE
EASTENDERS actress Heather Peace has revealed why she decided to continue filming for her dramatic wedding scenes just hours after her cancer diagnosis. The 50-year-old, who plays Eve Unwin on the BBC One soap, was diagnosed with breast cancer in October last year but despite her health issues, she bravely continued to film for the soap. 5 Her character was embroiled in dramatic scenes which included her wedding to Suki Panesar as well as being poisoned by Suki's ex-husband Nish Panesar. Revealing why she decided to continue working, she told Gaby Roslin on her podcast that she wanted to film the important scenes because she feared she would die. The former Waterloo Road star expressed: 'We got back to Brighton at 7 o'clock, and I was on the road at 10 past five that morning, to Elstree, to start possibly the two biggest weeks that I've done on EastEnders.' Heather explained that she had told bosses about her diagnosis and was told she didn't need to come in while she was taking in the life-changing news as well as undergoing treatment. 'I said 'I need to come in' because at this point I don't know what's going to happen,' she continued. 'And I want to finish this arc of the story. Not coming in for the next two weeks is not going to change anything, but at least let me put the full stop on a story that's been playing out for nearly two and a half years. 'If we get to the end of that and we see them get married and we see them successful, if beyond that it's a mess, I can leave and feel like I've put a full stop on something." The soap star went on to have chemotherapy as well as undergoing a left breast mastectomy and a reconstruction. Just as she's about to begin radiotherapy, Heather revealed the heartbreaking news last week that her wife Ellie has also been diagnosed with the disease. She told the Mirror: 'Her breast cancer was a smaller, aggressive lump, so she had a lumpectomy and then radiotherapy. EastEnders actress reveals secret cancer battle as she's supported by co-stars in emotional video "Of course then I come along with my 12 cm lump, absolutely ginormous, and mastectomy, chemotherapy, just about to go into radiotherapy. "She's like 'Even that you have to do bigger.' It's like 'Hold my beer.'" Last month Heather shared a video on Instagram of her at a wig fitting and captioned it with a heartfelt message. She divulged: 'This video is an important part of my recent journey, which I wanted to share with you. 5 5 'It's been about the #TeamEffort here @bbceastenders. "I needed a wig fitting. I've been on quite a road for many months now. "I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of October. "Since then I've undergone surgery and recovery over the Christmas period and today my chemotherapy journey ended. "I woke up this morning and it was like the end of the London Marathon; I'd turned onto The Mall and could see the giant clock & the finish line. "To conclude - I've just picked up my medal." She also took the opportunity to thank the EastEnders team for 'going above and beyond' and 'felt totally supported' by them. Heather concluded her post on a positive note as she said: 'I will continue to cherish and be grateful for all I am blessed with. I feel very lucky. With love, Heather xxx" Her co-star, Kellie Bright, who plays Linda Carter on the show, was quick to comment on the post and sent warm wishes to her pal. She gushed: 'I've said it before and I'll say it again…. WARRIOR WOMAN!!!! Love the bones of you." Heather joined the long-running soap back in 2021 as Stacey Slater's prison pal-turned-wife and has been involved in a number of huge storylines over the past four years. Her character Eve was involved in an affair with Suki before being left for dead by Ravi Gulati and nearly killed on her wedding day on New Year's Day. 5
