EastEnders has started 2018 off with a bang, airing two hour-long episodes focusing on a heist gone horribly wrong and the revelation that Max Branning is in denial over Abi's condition (which is why no-one has referenced it) and wants to prevent her machine from being turned off.
In between all that, the soap found time to introduce Masood's relatives Mariam and Arshad Ahmed, with the former instantly winning over the hearts of viewers.
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If you haven't seen tonight's (January 2) episode, Mariam witnesses Mick Carter getting shot and, while she is horrified, she tends to his wounds and strikes up an unlikely and interesting friendship with both him and Linda.
Don't just take our word for it though:
It's perhaps unsurprising that Mariam has connected so well with viewers. After all, she is portrayed by Indira Joshi, who is famous for being part of the brilliant The Kumars at No. 42. She also has a chart-topping single under her belt from back in 2003, when the famous family teamed up with Gareth Gates for a Comic Relief cover of 'Spirit in the Sky':
The petition to recreate this with the EastEnders cast for Sport Relief 2018 begins right here.
EastEnders continues tomorrow (January 3) at 8pm.
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Digital Spy Soap Scoop video – hit play below for all the latest EastEnders gossip, as Mel Owen's return shocks Ian, while Tiffany is also back to cause trouble.
