11-07-2025
Famous comedian 'honoured' after landing role in EastEnders after 37 years
Comedian Shazia Mirza has revealed her recent EastEnders guest stint was 37 years in the making.
The star made her debut as Walford Hospital's Dr Ayub in May, returning for a further episode this week.
When Peter Beale (Thomas Law) and Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) went to hear the results of their newborn son Jimmy's genetic test results, they were given somewhat of a reassuring update on his visual impairment.
The Doctor told the fractured couple that his condition had been caused as a result of a random mutation, and not Lauren's drug abuse as originally suspected.
Peter offered a weak apology to his fiancée for blaming her, but the two later fully reconciled after seeing the heartbreak they were causing eldest son Louie.
Taking to Instagram, Shazia, who has also appeared on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and Celebrity MasterChef, wrote that finally landing a role in her favourite soap has been an 'honour'.
'37 years ago I wrote to @bbceastenders asking for a part and 37 years later I got one,' she wrote.
'EastEnders is working with advice from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) on a storyline where Lauren and Peter's son is diagnosed as severely sight impaired.'
She then continues to summarise recent episodes of the BBC serial drama, catching up her 156,000 followers on the events.
Shazia concluded: 'It has been an honour to be part of such an important storyline.'
Alongside her statement, she included a picture of a letter that was sent to her from the EastEnders secretary in January 1988.
'Dear Miss Mirza,' it begins.
'Thank you very much for your letter. We get so many young people wanting parts in EastEnders, that it is our policy to have to say no.
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'We are obliged to use only Equity members in the making of EastEnders. We are sorry we have not been able to assist you, but hope you will continue to enjoy the programme.' More Trending
It certainly shows never to give up on your dreams!
Thomas Law commented: 'And you legitimately played your part so so well. We thought it.'
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Fellow comedian Shappi Khorsandi added: 'Oh my! I LOVE that you wrote asking for a part!!! This is beautiful! Congratulations (and also, a part on Eastenders has always been my dream but thankfully I am hiding my jealousy-to-the-point-of-insanity pretty well).'
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