Ganatra: 'Masoods are making TV history'

Nitin Ganatra has praised the BBC for making TV history by depicting a Muslim family to which viewers can relate.

The EastEnders star reportedly said that the Masoods have become the "first really successful Muslim family on the BBC".

Ganatra, who plays Albert Square's Masood Ahmed, told Inside Soap that the clan have a "typical family quality" which allows viewers to easily relate to them.

"It's hats off to the producers at EastEnders, as the Masoods have become the first really successful Muslim family on the BBC - we're making history that way."

Earlier this year, a BBC spokesperson defended the family after they were blasted as "two-dimensional and ill-conceived" by former EastEnders star Deepak Verma.

"The Masood family have proved to be hugely popular with EastEnders viewers," the spokesperson said.