TV icon from soon to be axed soap joins EastEnders cast in ‘unlikely’ relationship storyline

Doctors star Bharti Patel has joined the cast of EastEnders as part of an upcoming storyline.

The actress, who played Ruhma Carter in the daytime serial, will arrive in Walford next Wednesday (May 29) as newcomer Maya, who forges an unlikely friendship with a Square favourite.

Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) is the favourite in question, and he’s set to bond with Maya over their mutual love of football.

The storyline will see Harvey delighted at the prospect of having made another friend who shares his interests after his two best mates Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths) and Rocky Cotton (Brian Conley) vanished from his life.

Mitch, as viewers know, moved to Spain with his family while Rocky was jailed for trying to burn down the cafe to claim on the insurance, in a scam which nearly cost the lives of a number of his loved ones.

Harvey has been somewhat lonely since their departure, so Maya’s arrival should ultimately spell good things for him.

Bharti has played the role of Ruhma on Doctor since 2015, with her time set to come to an end due to the afternoon drama’s untimely cancellation.

Doctors was axed by BBC in October and the cast wrapped production on March 1, with the final episode slated to air later this year.

Many of TV and film’s finest actors have rose to fame on Doctors, including Game Of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke, who had one of her first ever roles on the BBC serial – the year before she would go on to land the part of Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO fantasy drama.

Fantastic Beasts actor Eddie Redmayne also guest starred in Doctors, as did Emmerdale’s Gemma Oaten, who recently returned to the daytime serial in a different role.

It will be a sad day for soap once the Mill closes its doors and Doctors ends for good.

EastEnders Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.