Bonnie Langford to join EastEnders cast as Kush Kazemi's mother Carmel
BONNIE LANGFORD is set to swap the West End for Albert Square when she joins the cast of EastEnders later this year.
Bonnie Langford will appear in EastEnders in June
The 1970s child star and theatre actress is joining the long-running soap as Carmel Kazemi, Kush's mother, the BBC announced today.
The character is an Essex girl at heart, who, as an overly protective parent, loves to embarrass her children.
The 50-year-old, best known for her stage roles in Chicago and Cats as well as Doctor Who's Mel Bush, said: "I'm so thrilled and delighted to be part of EastEnders.
"I'm a great fan of the show and think the recent 30th anniversary was sensational and shows just how good British television can be. To be part of this family is an absolute privilege."
The stage star will portray Carmel Kazemi, Kush's mother
The character likes to embarrass her children
Talking about her arrival, executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins conintued: "Bonnie Langford is a British institution - and an old-school hard-graft actress gifted at both comedy and serious drama.
"Bonnie brings wit, pathos and a touch of class to Carmel Kazemi - a thoroughly modern Essex divorcee who isn't quite ready to cut the apron strings firmly attached to her son Kush [Davood Ghadami].
"Even if it means clashing spectacularly with an already prickly Shabnam [Masood, played by Rakhee Thakrar]."
Bonnie will start shooting her scenes this month and will make her first appearance on screen in June.
Bonnie will start shooting her scenes next month
The news comes just hours after it was announced that characters Kat and Alfie Moon were set to star in their own spin-off.
The channel announced that the pair, played by Jessie Wallace, 43, and Shane Richie, 51, will be leaving Walford temporarily to appear in their very own series.
The six-part programme will be set in Ireland, and will air next year.