BBC/Composite: EastEnders Insider Share By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 As Doctor Ayub returns to EastEnders tonight, here's where you might have seen actress Shazia Mirza before Doctor Ayub's back EastEnders Lauren Branning Peter Beale Share By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 Doctor Ayub returns to EastEnders tonight (Thursday, July 10), as Peter Beale and Lauren Branning get the results of baby Jimmy’s genetics test. The character first appeared on screen back in May, checking over Jimmy for a panicked Lauren. The good Doctor confirmed what Lauren had feared – that Jimmy was blind. Since then, Lauren has been wracked with guilt, blaming her drug use for Jimmy’s blindness. Peter hasn’t helped matters either, heaping plenty of blame on Lauren himself. But is Lauren really to blame? The results come tonight – and with it, a return from Doctor Ayub. Doctor Ayub listened to Lauren when no-one else would (Credit: BBC) Who plays Doctor Ayub on EastEnders? Doctor Ayub is played by well-known actress and comedian Shazia Mirza. When first cast in the role, she shared the news in a Facebook post, writing: “I will be making my first appearance on EASTENDERS as Dr.Ayub, this Wednesday 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.” She joked: “My parents always wanted me to be a Doctor, now I finally am one.” Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Prior to her most recent appearance, she revealed that she first applied for a role on EastEnders 37 years ago – posting a picture of the rejection letter she received in response on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shazia Mirza If/when (@theshaziamirza) “37 years ago I wrote to @bbceastenders asking for a part and 37 years later I got one,” she wrote in the caption to the post – which also included a snap of herself in character, as Doctor Ayub. Sharing details of the storyline, Shazia added: “It has been an honour to be part of such an important storyline. If you’re impatient, Thursday’s episode is already on @bbciplayer or catch it live tomorrow night at 7PM.” But what else has Shazia Mirza been in outside of EastEnders? Comedian and actress Shazia Mirza plays Doctor Ayub (Credit: BBC) What else has EastEnders star Shazia Mirza been in? Birmingham-born Shazia is best known for her stand-up comedy, and articles in The Guardian and Daily Mail. As a regular panelist on the Channel 5 show The Wright Stuff, she has also appeared in reality competitions Celebrity The Island, SAS: Who Dares Wins, and Celebrity MasterChef (alongside fellow EastEnders star Danielle Harold). Her acting work includes an episode of the 2009 TV series Beautiful People, the 2019 film Arifa, and the mockumentary Barred, in which she played Judge Judy (but not that one). Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Good to Know Share By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 10 2025
