'EastEnders' Amira comes back fighting, says Preeya Kalidas

EastEnders star Preeya Kalidas has hinted that viewers can expect feisty moments from her character Amira when she returns to Walford.

Amira makes her Albert Square comeback in next week's episodes, leaving estranged husband Syed (Marc Elliott) stunned as she drops the bombshell that she has a baby daughter called Yasmin and he is the father.

Kalidas told 1Xtra of the new storyline: "It was exciting for me, because I didn't know initially where they were going to take her.

"I knew for the first few episodes what was going to happen, but we only get our scripts two weeks before we film them, so sometimes you have no idea where they're going to take the character or what's going to happen. So I've been finding out as I've been there.

"She can be quite scheming. You've got to remember that she went through a lot, she suffered a lot. She's had to deal with the fact that she's been a single parent who was outcast from the whole community. Her father made her feel like she's damaged goods and no-one's going to ever want her again. So she comes back fighting."



Amira was left devastated in April 2010 when she discovered Syed's affair with Christian Clarke (John Partridge), which prompted her departure. Syed and Christian are now engaged and happier than ever.

Discussing why she wanted to return, Kalidas continued: "I thought it would be a really good time, because I'd seen that the story had been developing with Syed and Christian, and the thing is that when I'm out, for the past year people would always approach me and say, 'When's Amira coming back?'

"There's been a lot of love for her, so I thought it was a good time, because in a year's time, they might not care anymore. I think [the story] is still quite prominent in the show, and she hasn't left people's minds."

Kalidas also said that she would like Amira to find a new love interest during her latest stint in Walford.

She said: "You never know. I know, but I'm not telling you!"

EastEnders launches Amira's new storyline with Christian and Syed on Monday at 8pm on BBC One.

> EastEnders Zainab will get closer to Syed, predicts Nina Wadia
> EastEnders Amira still loves Syed, reveals Preeya Kalidas
> EastEnders Amira return: First pictures, spoilers
> Read more EastEnders spoilers and news

Watch Syed's EastEnders character trail below: