For weeks, the EastEnders fandom has been buzzing with one question: Is Masood Ahmed finally returning to Walford? Rumours have

swirled across social media, soap forums have exploded with speculation, and fans have been rewatching old episodes featuring the beloved

postman-turned-restaurant-owner, hoping to catch clues about a comeback. And now, after days of silence, actor Nitin Ganatra has finally spoken out — sending the internet into a frenzy.

 

 

Ganatra, who played Masood from 2007 until his exit in 2019, remains one of the most cherished actors in EastEnders history. His charm, his comedic timing, his family-driven storylines, and his warm dynamic with characters such as Zainab, Tamwar, and Denise made him a fan favourite for over a decade. So when whispers of his return began circulating, the excitement was understandable. EastEnders thrives on nostalgia, and few characters leave a mark quite like Masood.

 

 

The Rumours That Started It All

The drama kicked off when an eagle-eyed fan spotted Ganatra at BBC Elstree Studios earlier this month. A blurry photo — allegedly showing the actor walking near the EastEnders lot — was posted to X (formerly Twitter) with the caption:
“Tell me Masood isn’t coming back?!?”

 

 

Within hours, the image spread like wildfire. Comment sections were flooded with speculation. Some fans insisted he was simply visiting old castmates. Others swore that the actor had been hinting for months about returning “when the time is right.” A few even claimed he had been spotted speaking to producers during the show’s busy winter filming block.

 

 

And then came the headline that broke the fandom:
“EastEnders Considering Major Family Return in 2026.”

Suddenly, everyone was convinced Masood would be stepping back into Albert Square sooner rather than later.

Nitin Ganatra Finally Breaks His Silence

After days of social media chaos, Ganatra finally addressed the rumours during a light-hearted interview on a digital radio show. His response? Classic Nitin: warm, teasing, and just cryptic enough to cause even more speculation.

When asked directly whether he was returning to EastEnders, he smiled and said:

“You never really leave Walford, do you? Even when you’re not there, someone’s still talking about you.”

He went on to call the fan speculation “hilarious and flattering,” adding that he still receives messages from viewers urging him to “come home” to the Square. But when pressed again on whether he had filmed any scenes or had discussions with the BBC, he cleverly dodged:

“Let’s just say… I’ll never say never.”

And that was it — the six words that reignited every rumour and sent fans spiralling into excitement all over again.

What a Masood Comeback Could Mean for the Square

If Masood does return, it could shake up several storylines currently simmering in Walford.

For one, there’s the matter of the Ahmed family legacy. With Tamwar living abroad and Zainab’s whereabouts always a subject of speculation, Masood’s re-entry could open doors for new characters, old reunions, and emotional reckonings.

Long-time viewers remember the explosive, funny, and often heart-wrenching dynamic between Masood and Zainab. Their storylines — involving love, betrayal, cultural pressure, and personal growth — were some of the most layered in modern EastEnders history. A revival of that family energy could breathe new life into the show’s current landscape.

Masood’s complicated history with Denise would also be ripe for exploration. Their friendship, and brief romance, had unfinished business that could easily ignite into something more dramatic today.

And then there’s Walford itself — a place that never stays peaceful for long. A fan-favourite character returning is always an opportunity for secrets to resurface, alliances to shift, and story arcs to collide.

Why Fans Want Masood Back More Than Ever

EastEnders has always thrived on characters with depth, humour, and heart — and Masood embodied all three. He brought warmth to the darkest storylines, comedy to the most serious moments, and emotional weight when the show needed it most.

In an era where many iconic characters are making surprise comebacks, Masood’s return feels not only possible, but perfectly timed.

Ganatra’s continued popularity doesn’t hurt either. Since leaving the soap, he’s built a strong presence in theatre, television, and social media, keeping his fanbase alive and passionately calling for his EastEnders comeback.

So… Is Masood Really Returning?

Officially, the BBC has made no announcement. Unofficially? All signs point to something being in the works. Ganatra’s teasing comments, increased public visibility, set-adjacent sightings, and the show’s current need for strong cultural storylines make a Masood comeback feel almost inevitable.