EastEnders’ Habiba Ahmed actress looks different four years after BBC soap exit
Habiba Ahmed was last seen in Walford four years ago when she left the square but her character has recently been mentioned as her son Tye has made a number of appearances
EastEnders actress Rukku Nahar left Albert Square four years ago and it’s fair to say she is now virtually unrecognisable from her soap days. The former soap sensation played the role of Habiba Ahmed in the BBC One drama from February 2019 until October 2020.
Habiba made her exit from Walford after her boyfriend Jags Panesar was arrested and put behind bars. It was later revealed that Habiba was expecting Jags’ baby and she delivered a baby boy off-screen, with her sister Iqra (Priya Davdra) breaking the news before she also left Walford.
Since her departure from Albert Square, Habiba has seldom been mentioned, with her immediate family – the Masoods – also no longer residing in Albert Square. However, in recent weeks, her character has been brought up by Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) as he decided to reach out to her about meeting his grandson in an attempt to win over his ex-wife Suki (Balvinder Sopal).
Despite Habiba’s name being brought up and her son making a trip to Walford, it doesn’t seem likely that the character will be making a comeback to EastEnders anytime soon.
Actress Rukku, 28, moved on to star in the BBC series Flatmates following her departure from the soap, as well as the ITV series The Good Karma Hospital.
Manchester Evening News reports she has also featured in the 2023 film The Buckingham Hospital as character Harleen, and the short film Blame in 2021. Since leaving EastEnders, the actress has gained a massive social media following and now boasts over 60,000 followers on Instagram.
Rukku Nahar’s Instagram shares photos from her life in London as well as sun-drenched picnics and lively nights out with her mates. She seems to be a frequent flyer, taking off on holidays, and remains close to her former on-screen sister Priya.
The actress’s departure from the iconic EastEnders was kept under wraps until after her last scenes were broadcast in October 2020. Rukku took to Instagram to announce her exit, expressing gratitude for the “so much” she learned and the bonds she formed while portraying Habiba.
Loyal EastEnders viewers have been clamouring for Habiba’s comeback to the Square following an unexpected appearance by her son Tye, who visited his grandparents Suki and Nish despite previous tensions with Habiba. Fans have taken to social media to voice their queries and desires, with one fan posting: “Where’s Habiba? The grandson came alone? “.
Others echoed the sentiment, with comments like “Tye is back in Walford. I wish Habiba came back with him,” and another fan lamenting, “Suki and Tye are so cute. It’s just a shame that Habiba didn’t come back to Walford.”
