EastEnders star Sophie Khan Levy has spoken out about her character Priya Nandra-Hart’s horror as son Nugget (Juhaim Rasul Choudury) collapses following an overdose.
As viewers of the BBC One soap know, Nugget’s pal Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega) has become addicted to performance enhancing drugs in recent months, and has since began offering them to best mate nugget.
In upcoming scenes, as a boxing tournament gets underway at The Den, Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall) pokes fun at him, with the scuffle broken up by Zack Hudson (James Farrar) and Ravi Gulati(Aaron Thiara).
Zack becomes suspicious of the behaviour and puts up a sign saying drugs testing is taking place – and with Nugget spooked, he darts out.
Elsewhere, Avani (Aaliyah James) learns that mum Priya has been using Suki’s (Balvinder Sopal) credit card without asking permission, and becomes concerned that she might throw them out of No. 41 as a result.
Ravi, Avani and Vinny find a lifeless Nugget in EastEnders
Priya and Nish in the hospital in EastEnders
‘All Priya cares about is her two kids and making sure that they are looked after. But I don’t think she heeds Avani’s advice to stay out of trouble!’ actress Sophie told us.
The revelation from her daughter then sparks a little bit of concern – so much so she turns to dastardly Nish (Navin Chowdhry) to make a deal and secure her family’s future.
‘It’s because she’s a scrapper and ferocious about making sure that Nugget and Avani are taken care of’ Sophie added.
Priya, Ravi and Suki crowd around Nugget’s bed in EastEnders
‘Priya is a woman who has had a tough life, and in the past, I’m sure she’s got into situations where she has to grit her teeth and bear things for survival.
‘In this moment, I think all Priya can see is what’s right in front of her, and she believes that even if her kids can’t see that she’s doing what she’s doing for them, they will later when they have their inheritance.’
Whilst the two are finalising their plan, Avani bursts in and alerts them that Nugget has collapsed outside of the community centre and is being rushed to hospital.
Priya sits at Nugget’s side in EastEnders
As the doctors rush to his aid, there is much speculation as to what could’ve caused his condition.
‘She’s got no level of medical knowledge so she immediately catastrophises the situation’ explained Sophie.
‘Priya goes straight to the worst-case scenario and thinks she will lose Nugget, so she’s on her knees in devastation.’
After a heated conversation between Ravi and Priya over parenting failures, he pulls Dr. Miller to one side and mentions Zack’s worries about the steroid usage and after some tests, it proves true.
As the clan reel from the news that Nugget may need long-term dialysis, Nish pulls Priya to one side and reminds her of their agreement.
We have a feeling this could backfire!