The ’90s legend has returned in the Nigel Bates storyline – and here’s what happens next.
EastEnders viewers heard a familiar name on the soap 28 years after the character's exit.
Nigel has a friend called Sanjay following his move to the care home(Image: BBC)
EastEnders viewers have been left baffled after Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) introduced his mate, Sanjay.
During Monday’s visit to Walford (March 23), Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) and his missus, Honey (Emma Barton), popped round to see Nigel, who has recently relocated to a care home as his dementia gets worse.
Nigel told Billy he was having a go at solitaire before asking his pal Sanjay to get involved. Sanjay, who also resides at the care facility, seemed to know Nigel well as he settled down for a card game.
The moment immediately caused a stir amongst EastEnders watchers, who think Sanjay could actually be Nigel’s old mate from the 1990s, portrayed by a different actor.
Nigel enjoyed a game of cards with his friend Sanjay in EastEnders(Image: BBC)
Whilst another person highlighted the character was unrecognisable, adding: “Surely that’s not THE Sanjay from the 90s, does Nigel just believe it is? If neither, could they not have chosen a different name for that guy? #eastenders.”
“Sanjay? #eastenders,” simply queried a fan as another repeated: “Sanjay? Such a poor choice of character name, who proves this #EastEnders.”
EastEnders’ Sanjay and Gita were popular characters in the 1990s(Image: No credit)
Who is Sanjay Kapoor in EastEnders?
Sanjay was a good-looking, well-liked market trader with a weakness for women and a worrying gambling problem, reports OK!.
Portrayed by actor Deepak Verma, Sanjay initially turned up in Albert Square alongside his heavily pregnant wife Gita (Shobu Kapoor) in February 1993, having convinced a mate to offer him a spot in the market for his clothing stall.
Things weren’t rosy between Sanjay and Gita, as they’d been residing apart following the collapse of his earlier business endeavour. They eventually secured accommodation, though not before Sanjay had frittered away their flat deposit money through gambling.
Sanjay was falsely accued on killing his wife in EastEnders (Image: BBC)
Shortly after their daughter Sharmilla’s birth, Gita battled postnatal depression and departed to stay with family members.
When Gita made an unexpected return and discovered Sanjay sharing a bed with her arrogant sister, it marked the start of five years filled with drama and upheaval for the household in Walford.
This included Sanjay being falsely charged with Gita’s murder during her disappearance. Following five years in Walford, he departed in 1998.
Nigel Bates also bid farewell to the Square in 1998 for a fresh start in Scotland, merely six years after his arrival, meaning Nigel and Sanjay shared five years together in Walford.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer
