EastEnders actor Nitin Ganatra says he’d return to soap as he picks up OBE

Former EastEnders actor Nitin Ganatra says he would consider returning to the show if asked – but said it needs “gutsy, courageous new teams” to help it compete with streaming giants.

Ganatra, who played Masood Ahmed on the BBC soap opera for nine years before leaving in 2019, was speaking after being made an OBE for services to acting by the Duke of Cambridge on Tuesday.

After the investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, Ganatra, 54, said: “Obviously I love the character of Masood, he was a groundbreaking character.

“I was the longest-running Asian character in its history.

“So that’s quite a huge achievement in my eyes for an actor from a diverse background. Even the staff in the palace have been talking about it, going ‘we miss you in the show’.

“So it’s contributed a lot in terms of an Asian character that’s gone into the fabric of television culture.”

Asked if he would return to the show, he said: “You never say no. I still love the character and there is something extraordinary about that place.

“People work very, very hard to entertain their audiences, it’s an incredible machine that has survived coming on to 40 years nearly.

“Would I go back? Of course, I would go back. But I’m having so much fun doing other characters. And they haven’t asked me back either so it’s always polite to go where you are wanted.”

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