Shaheen Jafargholi feels "sad" he cannot return to ‘EastEnders’, but he hasn’t "mentally" departed the soap.
The 21-year-old actor’s character Shakil Kazemi was tragically killed off in a horrific knife attack on the BBC One show earlier this year, and while he has now landed a part on ‘Casualty’, he still feels close to the programme because he is such great pals with Jasmine Armfield (Bex Fowler) and Tilly Keeper (Louise Mitchell).
When asked if it is sad knowing he cannot return to Albert Square, he said: "Yes, I think so. I built some really close relationships during my time on the show and it’s where I met two of my best friends in the whole world – Jasmine Armfield and Tilly Keeper. To be honest, I don’t feel like I’ve actually left – it’s really weird.
"Even though I have a new job in a new city, I don’t feel like I am out of the loop or anything. The only thing I don’t do is film at ‘EastEnders’ anymore. I feel like I’ve left in the physical sense, but mentally, not so much."
Shaheen appeared alongside Bonnie Langford (Carmel Kazemi), who is also set to depart Walford, on ‘EastEnders’, and he has stayed in touch with the "living legend" and would love to team up with her in another programme at some point.
He added to Digital Spy: "Bonnie and I have such a close relationship. She is one of the people I became the closest to during my time at EastEnders as she played my mum and I couldn’t be more proud of her. I am so excited for her next venture. It’s been a really exciting time for both of us because we are both in the same boat and came out of the show at around the same time. It’s been nice to share our experiences and go through it all together."
"Bonnie is a living legend, so be able to play her son was so amazing. We will always be in each other’s lives – whether it is through work or not."
Shaheen recently landed the part of nurse Marty in ‘Casualty’, and he cannot wait to make his debut on the medical drama.
He wrote on Twitter: "So excited to be joining the super talented cast of #Casualty. You’ll get to meet ‘Marty’ a little bit later on in the year… (sic)"
Shaheen Jafargholi hasn’t ‘mentally’ left EastEnders
