Week beginning 12 November – PO spoilers

It’s been confirmed that Chryed leave on Thursday 15th November; Pete Lawson has written the 13th and 15th November episodes. There’s no episode on Friday 16th November due to Children in Need.

Monday 12 November
Christian is heartbroken as he is forced to say goodbye to someone he loves and, feeling more alone than ever, he makes a life changing decision. (BBC Press Office)

Tuesday 13 November
Syed is hopeful that he and Christian can put the past behind them until Masood delivers some news he wasn’t expecting. (BBC Press Office)

Thursday 15 November
With neither Syed nor Christian willing to resolves things between them, Zainab and Lucy take matters into their own hands, but will they get the result they are hoping for? (BBC Press Office)

(Due to ChryedCon, I may be a bit late updating with news and spoilers for the next few days if any emerge!)

More mag articles and spoilers

Thursday 8 October
Syed faces a difficult decision as he knows Amira can give his daughter a better life….What will he decide? (Soaplife)

Friday 9 October
Will Syed regret his decision? (Soaplife)

Monday 12 – Friday 23 November)
Which married couple leave the Square….and will they go together? (Soaplife – next issue)

Various mag articles about next week (29 October – 2 November):

Christian has a violent showdown with husband Syed’s former fling Danny this week, which leaves both boys battered and bruised – and Christian behind bars!
The furious row breaks out after newlywed Christian tries warning Danny off, but only succeeds in prompting the rogue trader to reveal that he and Syed slept together. This shock discovery leaves poor Christian reeling – but as he lashes out at Danny, it looks like his nightmare has only just begun. Within hours, Christian is carted off by the police. And yet again, his relationship with Syed hangs in the balance…
“Christian lures Danny to the gym by sending a text from Syed’s phone,” reveals John Partridge, who plays Christian. “Once there, Christian tells Danny that he knows he and Syed shared a kiss, and warns him to stay away from them – that’s when Danny tells him it was so much more than that. Christian realises that Syed married him based on a lie, and it’s too much for him to hear.”
This disastrous meeting unfolds after Roxy lets slip to Christian that she’s seen Danny in the Square. When Christian confronts Syed on the subject, he insists that Danny simply wants his money back, and will leave them alone when he gets bored. But it’s after Christian sees a message from Danny on Syed’s phone saying, ‘it’s not over’, that the penny drops. So Christian replies pretending to be Syed, and sets up a meeting. Finding out that Syed lied about what really happened between him and Danny is like a dagger through his heart – and it’s little wonder he reacts with his fists!
“All we see is one punch – it’s totally reactionary,” reckons John. “You don’t see what happens next, and you don’t know who comes off worse. But when Christian goes home to Syed, he’s badly beaten.”
Rather than coming clean and telling Syed what he now knows, Christian claims to have been the victim of a homophobic attack. Unsurprisingly, shocked Syed insists he should go to the police. Christian refuses, so Syed secretly calls them – but when officers arrive on the couple’s doorstep later, it soon transpires they’re actually there at Danny’s bidding…
“Christian’s terrified of losing Syed, which is why he doesn’t tell him the truth,” explains John. “Now he knows there was much more going on between Syed and Danny than he’d been led to believe, he figures that least said, soonest mended. He just tries to make everything right. He’s married this man now – he’s made his bed, so he’s got to lie in it.
“Danny has reported him for assault, though, so Christian is taken in for questioning,” adds John. “It’s not what he was expecting, but as the police lead him away, he’s pretty much resigned to the sorry situation.”
Syed’s horrified as Christian is to the station, and while he’s still oblivious to the fact that Christian knows everything, it’s very clear the couple’s married life could not have got off to a worse start.
“I’m not sure Christian and Syed’s relationship is strong enough to get through this,” admits John. “This really is too much for Christian – he gave Syed ample opportunity to come clean and tell the truth, but once again Syed has been caught in the web of lies he’s spun. As far as Christian is concerned, Syed has made a mockery of everything that they once had together.” (Inside Soap)

Just when Christian and Syed thought all their problems were behind them, they find more trouble on their doorstep…
Having failed to tempt Syed to dump Christian on their wedding day, Danny confronts Syed and demands that he pay back the money he loaned him. Christian’s furious when he finds out about Danny’s threats, so pretending to be Syed, Christian texts Danny and arranges to meet him at the gym. Realising he’s been set up, Danny starts baiting Christian, claiming he shared more than a few kisses with Syed! Seeing red, Christian punches his smug rival to the ground! Later, Syed’s horrified to see Christian has been beaten and is covered in blood. Christian says it was a homophobic attack and he wants to forget about it. But that’s not so easily done with the police looking for him! Syed is stunned as the police reveal Danny has pressed charges against Christian for assault! Could Christian be facing time behind bars? (What’s On TV)

Christian’s fury! The newlywed is in for a shock as Danny finally shows his true colours…
Syed is playing with fire this week when he ignores banker Danny’s texts, for he turns up on the doorstep demanding his money back.
However, Syed’s deception starts to unravel when Danny bumps into Roxy and tell her that he’s back on the Square for a buisness meeting with Syed. She then tells Christian, who immediately confronts his husband and is unconvinced by his explanation. So he lures the cuckoo in his his nest to the gym for a man-to-man talk. But Danny goads him, claiming there was more to his relationship with Syed than just a kiss, and Christian sees red and attacks him.
Syed is horrifed when he later finds his spouse badly beaten and covered in blood, but he’s even more shocked when two officers arrive and take Christian in for questioning as an allegation of causing GBH has been made against him!
All becomes clear when Syed sees a bruised Danny at the station, who tells him he has hours to find his money or he’ll pursue the allegation against Christian all through the courts. (TV Choice)

Christian fights for his man!
Christian thought he’d won his battle for Syed when they said their vows and headed off on honeymoon. But Danny isn’t giving up…and if he can’t have Syed he at least wants he money he owes him.
Syed tries to ignore Danny’s texts, but when Christian sees a message saying ‘it’s not over’ pop up on his phone, he texts back pretending to be Syed and arranges a meeting at the gym. Danny arrives and realises he’s been set up.
But when Christian tells him Syes feels nothing for him after one meaningless kiss, Danny hits back by saying it was a lot more than that…And when he rubs salt in Christian’s wound by adding he’ll never be enough for Syed, Christian loses his temper and punches Danny.
The two launch into a vicious fight and Christian is left bloodied and bruised. But so is Danny…and he calls the police and accuses Christian of starting the punch-up. This fight’s not over yet. (Soaplife)

Thank you surreal, KBambi and Jenn!

All About Soap spoilers + JP interview

(I wish I had better spoilers to post with only a couple of weeks left, but…)

Thanks elphie and Jenn for mag info, and KBambi and Mads for typing up!

Week beginning 29 October
Script peek from the BBC EastEnders ‘Quote Me’ game
Syed: ‘I needed to know I could be me without you.’

Tuesday 30 October
Christian takes matters into his own hands when Danny arrives back on the Square, but Danny has a revelation that rocks Christian to the core. (TV Now)

Thursday 1 November
Syed is worried about Christian when he refuses to go to the police. Can Syed get through to his husband? (TV Now)

Friday 2 November
A shocked Syed discovers the truth about Christian’s attack and does all he can to protect him. But Danny is determined to make him pay. Is Syed too late? (TV Now)

29 October – 9 November

Spoilers from All About Soap:

• Syed getting threatening texts from Danny
• Danny arrives at the flat to demand his money back
• Syed says he’ll get Danny the cash
• Roxy sees Danny and tells Christian that Danny is back and Christian is angry
• Christian confronts Syed who tells Christian he’s after money but says if they ignore him he’ll go away
• When Christian sees a text from Danny come through he replies from Syed’s phone
• Danny arrives at the gym thinking he’s going to meet Syed but is met by an angry Christian
• Christian tells Danny to stay away from them
• Danny reveals all the details of him and Syed and tells him he’ll never be enough for Syed
• Christian punches Danny
• When Syed sees Christian hurt, Christian lies and says it was a homophobic attack
• Syed insists he tell the police but Christian says no but Syed calls them himself
• But Danny has also called the police and they arrest Christian for GBH
• It all starts to fall into place for Syed when he sees beaten up Danny at the police station
• Syed begs Danny to drop the allegation and Danny says he will as long as he gets his money by 1pm
• Christian and Syed break up
• Zainab arrives home, she lectures Syed on winning Christian back
• Roxy tells Syed to stay away from Christian unless he knows what he really wants
• The doorbell rings and Syed thinks it’s Christian but it’s Amira
• Amira is engaged and they are living together in Birmingham and she wants Yasmin to live with them

All About Soap article: The Mummy Returns! Amira’s back in town and she’s taking her daughter…
As the Masoods struggle to deal with dodgy Danny, their mounting debts and Zainab’s absence, the last thing they need is yet another bombshell. But they’re about to get one – look who’s come back! Masood is still mad at his son for all the trouble he’s caused, but the boys vow to stick by each other to get through everything. However, just as they seem to be getting it together (by letting their hair down and hiring dancing girls to perform at the bonfire night party!), Zainab shows up and pulls the plug on their fun. Despite Mas’s delight that the family matriarch is home, Syed’s not quite so pleased to see his mum, as she lectures him on winning Christian back again! With his marriage in tatters, even Syed can’t get hold of his new hubby let alone talk him round. And Roxy warns selfish Sy to stay away from Chris unless he really knows what he wants. After leaving Christian a voicemail asking him to come over, Syed can’t believe his luck when the doorbell rings (wouldn’t he just use his key?) and rushes to answer it, hoping to fall back into Mr C’s arms and live happily ever after. His future fantasy is short lived, though, when it turns out it’s not Christian at the door… but Amira! After Sy gets over the shock, Amira reveals she has some news for her ex-husband, and it doesn’t seem as if he’s going to like it. His glamorous former wife tells Syed she’s marrying a new guy who makes her very happy. He’s pleased for her, until she admits that they’re living together in Birmingham and she wants Yasmin to be with them… Will Syed give up his little girl – or will he fight to keep her?

What happens next?
Amira has surprising advice for Syed – but will he listen to her?

Johnny Partridge interview from All About Soap:

So, how is newly married life going for Christian and Syed?
Tense! They’re trying to move on, but won’t talk about the elephant in the room and are keeping their true feelings to themselves.

How does Christian feel when Roxy reveals Danny’s back?
He’s horrified. He’s angry and he also feels anxious about it all. He’s still hurt about what happened between Danny and Syed, though at this point he thinks it was just a kiss. He’s moved on from that, but now he wants to make Danny aware that he isn’t welcome.

Why does he pretend to be Syed in a text to Danny?
On their return from Paris, there are a lot of texts going to Syed’s phone, and he’s just ignoring them. Christian isn’t stupid and knows something is going on, but he’s scared of rocking the boat. He wants to trust Syed – that’s why he married him. But then Syed’s in the shower and another message from Danny comes through, and Christian knows something has to be done – so he responds.

He knows Danny’s still sniffing around Syed, doesn’t he?
Yes, although he doesn’t know what Danny wants at this point. He isn’t sure if this is about the money or if it’s something more.

Then Christian and Danny come face to face in the gym…
Christian meets Danny and tells him he’ll get the money when they have it, to which Danny hints that he isn’t just there about the cash. Christian tells him he knows about the kiss, but Danny drops the bombshell that it wasn’t just a kiss. There was a lot more than that – they actually had sex!

How does Christian feel when he hears this revelation?
He’s heartbroken, and mortified all in one moment. Syed told him on the morning of their wedding that it was just a kiss, but it wasn’t – it’s the ultimate betrayal for Christian. He isn’t even upset that Syed shared his body with someone else; it’s more about the fact Syed’s married him on a lie.

How do Christian and Danny end up fighting?
Something in Christian flips. He isn’t a violent person, but learning the truth makes him see red.

How does Syed react when he sees Christian’s battered face?
Christian says he was attacked – he doesn’t want to challenge Syed about what went on between him and Danny. He just wants to forget that it ever happened.

How do the cops get involved?
Syed thinks it was a homophobic attack and wants Christian to tell the police. Christian obviously doesn’t want to do that, but Syed takes it upon himself to call them. Unfortunately, unbeknown to him Danny has also made a complaint that he has been assaulted and so Christian ends up getting arrested.

How does Christian feel when the police turn up, then?
You see a deflation in him at this point. He knows Syed has been unfaithful and that it wasn’t just a one night stand – there’s clearly more to this for Danny and Syed.

Does Danny eventually drop the charges against Christian?
The Masoods pitch together and try to help, but you’ll have to wait and see if it works. As Syed and Christian talk, though, it becomes clear Christian knows everything. Christian wants to move on, but Syed won’t let it go and you can see the relationship’s already breaking under the strain.

Is there any way back from this?
I really don’t think so. Syed was lying to everyone – it’s what he does. He wouldn’t ask Christian for help and actually ends up trying to blame everyone but himself for all the problems he’s caused.

Would Christian have married Syed if he’d known the truth?
I don’t think so. The truth will have come out eventually and at this point Syed can’t even tell Christian he loves him. In the end Christian realises Syed isn’t the man he married and they break up.

Are you pleased with your exit story from Eastenders?
Yes, very pleased. You want to go out with a bit of a bang – I can’t tell you if Christian and Syed leave together, but there are twists and turns to come before they go!

Will you stay in touch with everyone after you’ve left?
Oh yes – I have enjoyed my time there immensely and will miss everyone. But that being said, I’m excited about the future and I’ve got lots lined up. It’s fun to be doing something different.

END OF AN ERA
Despite having loved every minute of his time in Eastenders, John’s convinced that this is the last we’ll ever see of Christian. “I’d never say never, but I believe that once you’ve moved on from something, you just don’t look back. I will be taking lots of treasured memories with me, but I can’t see Christian returning to Albert Square!”

Week beginning 5 November – PO spoilers

Marc Elliott was interviewed on This Morning earlier today; no really new information released, but I will update with a link if I can.

Monday 5 November
Masood worries about the family’s financial situation. However, he soon discovers that is the least of his problems when a familiar face returns to Walford.
Christian is broken-hearted when Syed fails to convince him they are meant to be together. (BBC Press Office)

Tuesday 6 November
As Syed decides whether he wants a life with Christian, he is faced with a bigger dilemma when a blast from the past arrives on his doorstep. (BBC Press Office)
(It’s been confirmed that Amira returns in this episode)

Thursday 8 November
Syed is faced with a tough decision, and with no one willing to help, the future is in his hands. (BBC Press Office)

Friday 9 November
Christian and Syed have a heart-to-heart. However, Christian is unprepared when Syed makes a shocking declaration. (BBC Press Office)

Various upcoming brief spoilers

Friday 19 October
The Masood family rocks under more revelations. Tamwar clashes with his parents over the restaurant… Syed and Christian try to hold their new partnership together, but is Masood and Zainab’s marriage more at risk? (Inside Soap website)

Monday 22 October
Syed and Christian return from their honeymoon. They can’t believe that Zainab has left. Syed tries to apologise to Tamwar… (Inside Soap website)

Tuesday 23 October
Masood is mortified when he forgets Tamwar’s birthday – but when he witnesses his dad’s hostility towards Syed, Tamwar finally snaps and delivers a few home truths. (TV Choice)

Week beginning 29 October
Danny is back in the square, and when Syed rejects his advances, he takes a terrible revenge by lying to Christian about what went on between them before the wedding. (TV Choice)

Danny goes on the attack as he tries to get Syed to pay back the cash he lent him… (What’s On TV)

They may be married, but Christian and Syed’s troubles are far from over. Next week, smooth City playboy Danny makes his return to the Square, and he’s looking for the money he loaned to Syed before their investment scheme fell apart completely.
Syed – in his usual, slippery way – attempts to stall him, but when Christian gets wind of it, he opts for a rather more direct approach. When the showdown comes, Danny isn’t giving an inch – and what happens next will have major consequences for all of them…. (Inside Soap)

(Thank you Jenn and KBambi!)

Week beginning 22 October – detailed spoilers

Interview with Marc Elliott from the Sun.

Detailed spoilers for next week:

Monday 22 October
As the Masoods try to adjust to life without Zainab, AJ realises that he needs to pull his weight more in the family, so he approaches Phil for a job at The Arches. Phil then gives him the task of fixing up a clapped-out motorbike to see if he’s good enough. Soon afterwards, AJ catches Tamwar checking his scars and is unable to hide his horrified reaction. Tamwar loses his temper with AJ in response, telling him that he should leave Walford as he hasn’t managed to secure a job to help the family.
Later, things seem to be looking up slightly for the Masoods when AJ rides around the corner on the fixed-up motorbike – his success means that he now has the job with Phil. However, AJ soon confides in Masood by admitting that seeing Tamwar’s scars has made him realise how much the family have been through, and he’s unsure whether he’s strong enough to stick around.
At the same time, Syed and Christian return from their honeymoon in Paris and are shocked to learn that Zainab has left Walford taking Kamil with her. (Digital Spy)

Tuesday 23 October
Meanwhile, it is Tamwar’s birthday but Masood has forgotten due to the turbulent events of the past week. Tamwar arrives at The Vic for drinks with Poppy and Fatboy, and it’s not long before AJ and Syed join them. Later, Masood turns up at the pub and feels awful when he realises that he has forgotten Tamwar’s special day. Tension builds when Masood questions why Syed was invited, but it’s Tamwar who loses his temper by shouting that all he really wants for his birthday is for them to all sit down and enjoy a drink together. (Digital Spy)

Friday 26 October
Masood reaches out to Syed by inviting him to the Eid feast along with Christian and Yasmin. (Digital Spy)

Week beginning 29 October PO spoilers + Marc interview

Interview with Marc Elliott from Soaplife where he talks about upcoming episodes and his exit.

Tuesday 30 October
Christian decides to take matters into his own hands as Danny arrives back on the Square, but in doing so he discovers a shocking secret… (BBC Press Office)

Thursday 1 November
Syed is worried about Christian when he refuses to go to the police, forcing Syed to take matters into his own hands. (BBC Press Office)

Friday 2 November
Syed is shocked when he discovers the truth and desperately does all he can to save Christian. But with a smug Danny determined to make him pay, is he too late? (BBC Press Office)

Wedding week – more articles

Various other articles are appearing about next week’s episodes:

Radio Times preview (contains this snippet: “He’s a Muscle Mary old enough to be your dad,” says Danny about Christian, earning himself a punch in the face from Syed for his troubles.)

Digital Spy article about the Danny/Syed scene and the punch.

Digital Spy article about the wedding (including: Once the pair’s official union is confirmed, Masood (Nitin Ganatra) is the first to make a speech – declaring how proud he is of Syed and how he’s gained another son now that Christian is part of the family.)

BBC EastEnders Blog entry (nothing really new)

(Thanks Laura and KBambi!)

Week beginning 15 October (wedding week) – detailed spoilers

Monday 15 October
It’s the day of Syed and Christian’s stag party at The Vic, but when Syed spots that Danny has turned up for the celebration, he isn’t happy and slips out of the pub. Soon afterwards, Danny follows Syed to the Argee Bhajee and suggests that he shouldn’t marry Christian – he’d have a better life with him instead! Syed attempts to reject Danny’s advances and makes it clear that he just wants a return on his investment, but Danny drops the bombshell that the investment has fallen through and Syed’s money has been lost.

As Danny continues his pursuit of Syed by trying to kiss him again, Masood walks into the restaurant. Syed tries to make an excuse by insisting that Danny is only there on business, but Masood reveals that he spotted their kiss the night before. A mischievous Danny claims that Syed obviously wanted to be caught, which prompts Syed to lose his temper and punch Danny. After Danny leaves, Masood questions whether the wedding should go ahead following Syed’s betrayal – but Syed defiantly vows that he won’t be stopped from marrying Christian.

Back at the pub, Zainab makes a heartfelt apology to Christian for all of the bad things she said about him in the past. When Masood and Syed arrive back, Zainab also apologises to her son for her past behaviour. However, when Zainab hands Syed a picture of the family which includes Christian, his guilt finally starts to overwhelm him. At the end of the night, an emotional Syed finally snaps and tells Christian that he can’t marry him… (Digital Spy)

Tuesday 16 October
It’s the morning after the stag party, and Syed tries sneaking out of the flat as he wants to run away from everything. When Christian stops Syed from leaving and urges him to be honest, he confesses the full story behind his financial woes – but fails to mention the kiss with Danny. Soon afterwards, Masood arrives just as Christian is insisting that the recent problems are not worth cancelling the wedding for. Assuming Christian is talking about Danny, Masood agrees that they shouldn’t call off the ceremony over a silly kiss.

Horrified that his secret is out, Syed gets Masood to leave before explaining himself to Christian. It turns out that Christian is willing to forgive Syed for the betrayal, but Syed is still unsure about whether the wedding should happen, as he doesn’t even know who he is or what he wants. Christian assures Syed that they should be together and says that he’ll be waiting for him at the Argee Bhajee, but Syed should only come if he truly loves him.

Christian is optimistic that Syed will soon join him for the service at the restaurant, and even asks Roxy if he can borrow some money as he wants to help fix the financial mess. As time ticks by, it seems that Syed has decided not to come – so Christian prepares to announce that the wedding is off. However, Syed arrives just in time and it’s a heartwarming moment as the wedding goes ahead as planned.

Later, Masood is making a speech following the ceremony when four bailiffs suddenly burst into the restaurant. One of the men announces that the mortgage is four months in arrears and the Masoods owe £12,000, so they’re cutting off the electric. Syed is left horrified as Zainab turns to Tamwar and demands to know what is going on… (Digital Spy)

Thursday 18 October
A furious Zainab accuses Tamwar of messing up the business after hearing what the bailiffs have to say. Tamwar has no idea how things have gone so wrong, but when the bailiffs explain that they have sent written warnings, he remembers that Syed insisted on taking care of the letters. He quickly realises that this desperate situation is Syed’s fault, but keeps quiet about his brother’s betrayal.

Unable to keep a lid on her temper, Zainab launches herself at Tamwar, but AJ tries to calm things by pulling her away. Knowing that Syed is to blame, Christian hopes that he’ll just be honest with everyone – but he is shocked when he realises that Syed has gone… (Digital Spy)

Friday 19 October
Zainab and Masood’s relationship is pushed to breaking point as the truth emerges. Will they be able to salvage their relationship and business, or is this the end for them? (Digital Spy)

Note: Further storyline details have been held back for the episodes on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th.

Pictures for the week:
As there are so many pictures for this week, I’ve posted them here as thumbnails; click on each for big versions.

Wedding week – more mag spoilers

Full detailed spoilers and pics for next week will be up after midnight. In the meantime, there’s been various bits and pieces and articles popping up all over the place about wedding week; I’ve probably missed some, so apologies for that, but they mostly contain the same information.

15-19 October
Quotes for next week from the ‘Quote Me’ game on the BBC EastEnders website

Christian: ‘Is that how you see me? Jazz hands John Barrowman?’

Syed: ‘They have a dream, I mess it up, that’s what I do.’

(Thanks KBambi and Jenn for the above)

TV Times article
The Night Before: Syed needs to save his marriage before it’s even begun! After Syed abandoned his marriage to Amira, he and Christian were one of the strongest couples in soap land and we really thought they were going to walk off into the sunset some day and that would be that. But no. Like any other impending nuptials in Albert Square or elsewhere, a shadow has fallen across the pair and it’s all about to come tumbling down. This Danny character (boo!) has his claws into Syed and on the night of the boys’ stag do he’s right there teasing Syed about their little secret. Of course, Masood knows as well, leading to a confrontation in the deserted restaurant. Syed insists he loves Christian and wants to marry him, to which Danny retorts he wanted to be caught so the wedding would be off. Syed is disgusted at this and and punches Danny’s lights out! Go Syed! But there’s still the matter of the missing money…
The Morning After: The wedding goes ahead but the battle’s only starting… So Danny’s been chased away (for now) and it’s time for Syed and Christian to walk up the aisle and be married. It’s a happy occasion to be sure, but not before Syed painfully confesses to Christian about Danny. Remarkably, Christian is shocked but believes such a thing isn’t worth throwing everything away over. Syed is confused about what he wants but after an agonising wait for Christian, they’re reunited. Vows are exchanged, rings are exchanged, and the registrar announces they are joined in legal partnership. That’s that then – the wedding’s gone without a hitch. It’s the aftermath we need to worry about though. No sooner has Masood made his speech stating how proud he is of his son, four bailiffs burst in revealing their mortgage is four months overdue and they are £12,000 in debt! That’s a bad situation, but it’s made WORSE yet again when Zainab angrily turns to TAMWAR to demand what’s going on! Will newly married Syed allow his brother to take the rap?

Inside Soap article
Albert Square soulmates Christian and Syed cement their love this week, as they tie the knot in a moving civil ceremony.
However, secrets and lies threaten to destroy their happiness when Christian learns the extent of Syed’s financial troubles – and that he’s shared a steamy kiss with stockbroker Danny..
“On the day of the wedding, it’s very much a case of ‘will they, won’t they?'” explains actor Marc Elliott, who plays confused Syed. “Syed asks himself a number of questions. He’s think, ‘Do I want a life with Christian and baby in a flat just down the road from my parents, or do I want a penthouse by the river with Danny and a bit of excitement?’. It’s a tough one – but he comes to a decision eventually.”
Eastenders fans will be reassured to know that Syed chooses Christian – but it’s not all plain sailing for them in the run-up to their big day.
At the start of the week, the celebrations get under way as Syed and Christian’s stag do kicks off at the Vic. But Syed’s not in a party mood as thoughts of his impetuous kiss with Danny weigh heavily upon him – not to mention his turmoil about the money troubles he’s been having.
“Danny rocks up at the stag party and chats to Christian – and of course that terrifies Syed, who wonders what he’s doing there,” reveals Marc. “Syed ends up leaving the bash, as it all gets too much for him, but Danny follows him to the Argee Bhajee. There’s a huge amount of tension between him.”
When Danny moves in for another kiss, Syed pushes the flirty stockbroker away – insisting that all he wants from him is a return on the money he recently invested. However, Danny confesses that the deal has fallen through, and Syed’s desperate hopes of clearing his debts are shattered.
“Syed’s intentions were good,” insists Marc; “Danny explained that it was a risky business, but Syed got involved with the hope of doubling or even tripling his money. He would’ve used the cash to pay back his mum, Zainab, his dodgy supplier and the money owed to his brother Tamwar’s restaurant. But now all of his dosh is gone!”
Although Syed is in despair over how he’s going to explain himself to his family, Danny doesn’t give up his pursuit of the vulnerable fella. But after Syed’s father, Masood, walks in on them – having already witnessed their illicit kiss the previous evening – Syed finds he has a lot of explaining to do. And when Danny remarks that Syed wanted to be caught out, Syed responds furiously by punching him!
“Masood always turns up at the wrong time,” exclaims Marc. “He and Syed have a horrific argument, and end up saying some appalling things to each other.”
Despite the animosity between them, Masood – who’s still unaware of Syed’s cash crisis – promises to keep the truth of his son’s indiscretion with Danny a secret from Christian.
Unfortunately, when crossed wires later result in Christian becoming aware of all the facts, Walford’s most treasured couple face a tricky moment.
“Christian is actually very supportive – he assures Syed that they will sort out all of his debts after the wedding,” shares Marc. “The kiss with Danny doesn’t end up being a problem either. You have to remember that Christian’s been in Syed’s position himself a couple of times! He knows that Syed loves him and that the kiss was a mistake.”
After promising Syed that he’ll ask Roxy to help them on the money front, Christian tells Syed that he’ll be waiting for him at the Argee Bhajee, where they’re due to get married. But as Syed wrestles with his feelings, wondering if marriage is really what he wants, poor Christian faces an anxious time.
“Syed panics and leaves Christian hanging,” says Marc. “However, after a great deal of consideration, Syed turns up.”
Thankfully, the boys manage to get through the ceremony without a hitch – but it’s just as clueless Masood is raising a toast to Syed that the bailiffs come storming in. Zainab is horrified when they announce that the mortgage on the family restaurant is four months in arrears, and turns to Tamwar for an explanation. With Masood still in the dark over the funds that his wife lent Syed, is the truth about to come tumbling out in dramatic fashion?
Masood Meltdown!
The fallout from Syed and Christian’s nuptials is being kept firmly under wraps by Walford bosses, but our Square spy promises fireworks as the clan get to grips with recent events.
“Remember the bad feeling between Syed and Masood back when he first arrived in the Square?” asks our sneak. “Well, that was all down to Syed’s poor business decisions in the past, and the consequences they had for his family. If Masood learns the extent of Syed’s treachery this time – and the fact that Zainab has lent him money – there’s no telling how he’ll react…”