‘I play a monster on EastEnders – now I worry it’ll make me a hate figure in real life’
Navin Chowdhry's character Nish Panesar is one of the nastiest villains in its history but he doesn't want people to think he's anything like the baddie he portrays on screen
EastEnders star Navin Chowdhry fears playing a monster on the soap will make him a hate figure.
His character Nish Panesar is one of the nastiest villains in its history and he doesn’t want viewers to think he’s like that in real life.
He said: “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’. I’ve been scared.
“I am aware that everyone wanted him to die at Christmas. I apologise to the audience that I’m still around!”
He added: “There has been the odd comment, there are a few unfriendly messages I’ve been on the receiving end of. But most people get it.”
Despite the negativity, Navin is happy to keep playing Nish
In fact, he actually enjoys being nasty for the role.
He said: “I enjoy being evil. And we have a good time on set. They often say the best fun you have is when you’re doing the darkest stuff.
“Sometimes when you go really dark, the flipside is you have a very fun experience on set.”
EastEnders airs every weekday at 7:30pm on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer.
