This article contains spoilers for tonight’s EastEnders, which has not yet aired on TV but is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
Tonight’s EastEnders saw Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) depart Albert Square after recent dramatic events.
Last week, she discovered that it was Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) who had attacked her and left her for d.e.a.d on Christmas Day, and her actions in the following minutes led to d.e.a.t.h and destruction on the Square.
In tonight’s episode, Cindy announced that she was leaving Walford temporarily to stay with old friend Gita Kapoor, but promised she would be back to dish out revenge before long.
Fans of 90s EastEnders will remember Gita, and her friendship with Cindy, but if you don’t, we’re here to catch you up.
Who is Gita Kapoor in EastEnders?
A heavily pregnant Gita Kapoor arrived in Albert Square in 1993 to be with husband Sanjay.
Following her arrival, she was quick to strike up a close friendship with Cindy.
During her time on the show, Gita was involved in some major storylines, including one that saw her discover that husband Sanjay had been having an affair with her sister, Meena.
In a bid to get revenge, Gita left the Square with the daughter they shared, only telling Cindy where she was going.
Gita later returned and reunited with Sanjay, but left again after clashing with his mother.
When she was set to return, Sanjay headed to the station to pick her up, but she never appeared. Days later, he contacted the police to report her missing. Sanjay was suspected to have m.u.r.d.e.r.e.d her, but was later proven to be innocent.
Months later, Gita was revealed to be alive when she got in contact with friend Ruth Fowler.
Sanjay headed to Birmingham where she had been staying, only to discover that she had had a baby after falling pregnant from a one night stand, having previously struggled to conceive again with Sanjay.
When their story was published by a reporter, the Kapoors were left with no choice but to leave Walford in 1998 in order to escape the attention.
Who played Gita Kapoor in EastEnders?
Gita was played by actress Shobu Kapoor.
Prior to joining the BBC soap, she had appeared in TV series Family Pride between 1991 and 1992.
Since leaving, she has had a very successful career in television and film.
One of her first roles away from EastEnders was in hit movie Bend It Like Beckham, and she went on to be a main stay in TV series Citizen Khan.
She has also had roles in series such as Doctors, The Bill and Holby City.
More recently, she has appeared in an episode of Bridgerton, and Sky Max comedy Mr Bigstuff, which stars fellow EastEnders alumni Danny Dyer.
