EastEnders star Navin Chowdhry has revealed what memento he took from the set after his character’s devastating New Year’s death.
The actor, 53, called time on the soap this week when Nish Panesar took his last stand against ex Suki by plotting to ruin her wedding but appeared to end his own life in the process.
Speaking in his first interview since the dramatic scenes aired, Navin admitted that he didn’t leave without an item to remember his journey on the soap.
He said in a press release from the BBC: ‘I’ve got my Albert Square board, and Chris Clenshaw [producer] gave me some cufflinks. Obviously cufflinks were a big part of the Sixmas story, and a big part of Nish’s journey.
‘He gave me the most beautiful set of cufflinks with the EastEnders Thames logo, and I will wear them with huge pride. I will now always have a little bit of Walford with me whenever I wear my suit.’
Reflecting on his last day of filming, he admitted that he was overcome with emotion and there were ‘lots of tears.’
EastEnders star Navin Chowdhry has revealed what memento he took from the set after his character’s devastating New Year’s death
The actor, 53, called time on the soap this week when Nish Panesar took his last stand against ex Suki by plotting to ruin her wedding but appeared to end his own life in the process
Navin continued: ‘My last day of filming was a very emotional one. God forbid if they put the behind the scenes footage out.
‘There were tears from quite a lot of us on the day. I’m even feeling quite emotional talking about it now because it’s meant so much to be a part of this journey.
EastEnders kicked off the New Year in gory fashion with one of its bloodiest episodes yet, as Eve and Suki’s long-awaited wedding took a devastating turn.
In dramatic post-watershed scenes, already terminally ill, Nish vowed that Suki would not receive her happily ever after, but while plotting to crash the wedding, was confronted by Denise Fox.
Despite threatening to expose her attack on him the previous year, Denise stood her ground, but he picked up a champagne bottle and hit her over the head.
While it was later revealed that Denise was still alive, her life hung in the balance by the episodes’ end.
Things went from bad to worse as Nish headed to the wedding venue, with Suki and Eve making their way to the honeymoon suite to consummate their marriage after exchanging their vows.
Toasting the occasion with champagne from glasses with their names on, Eve suddenly began to choke, and it quickly became clear she had been poisoned.
Speaking in his first interview since the dramatic scenes aired, Navin admitted that he didn’t leave without an item to remember his journey on the soap and took some cufflinks (pictured in September)
Visibly devastated at her wife’s apparent death, Suki was stunned to find Nish watching her from the door, and he vowed they’d be joining her before pouring them both glasses of the poisoned champagne.
‘There’s no helping her, but it’s quick,’ he said
‘She’s gone now. There’s nothing that you can do. And in a few moments all your pain will fade away because you and I will be joining her.’
Before he and Suki could drink, Ravi broke into the room to save his mum, while Stacey called an ambulance for Eve.
‘I belong to Eve,’ she told him as Ravi broke down the door and ran to help her.
‘You’re too late,’ Nish replied, dragging Suki to the edge of the balcony overlooking the other guests.
‘Eve’s dead and Denise won’t be too far behind her. Nobody beats me, not her and not even you.
‘So what does it feel like Ravi? As Denise draws her final breath, her last thought will be about you – ”why isn’t Ravi here? Why couldn’t he save me?”
In dramatic post-watershed scenes, already terminally ill, Nish vowed that Suki would not receive her happily ever after and plotted to crash the wedding
After she and Suki tied the knot, Eve appeared to choke to death after drinking poisoned champagne
In a tense final showdown on the balcony, Nish wrapped his hand around part of Suki’s wedding gown as he goaded his son. A furious Ravi then pushed his father over the balcony, but unknowingly sent his mother over the edge too
In a tense final showdown on the balcony, Nish wrapped his hand around part of Suki’s wedding gown as he goaded his son.
He said: ‘You’re nothing, just a waste of space. The b*****d son since the day you were born.’
A furious Ravi then lashed out and pushed his father over the balcony, but unknowingly sent his mother over the edge too.
Hitting the ground to the shock of guests watching on, Nish was presumed dead as blood poured out of his head, though Suki’s fate remains uncertain, as she appeared to land on his chest.
It was a dramatic episode that kicked off EastEnders’ 40th year in style, with the soap set to mark four decades on screen next month.