EastEnders Nina Wadia: 'I don't agree with Zainab's views'

EastEnders' Nina Wadia warns that owing her baby’s life to Christian won’t change Zainab’s feelings…

Why is Zainab locked in the unit when she goes into labour?
"Christian’s comforting Syed over something when she walks in and sees them together. They have a row, Syed slams the door when he and Christian leave then the handle comes off in Zainab’s hand. It also happens to be a day when the telephone isn’t working."

Will she never mellow in her attitude towards Christian?
"It’s hard because I desperately want to get the balance right. I want people to understand why she does it. I also want viewers to know I don’t actually agree with or believe in Zainab’s views."

How does Christian get involved with the birth of her baby?
"He returns to the unit to confront Zainab and hears her screams. He knows something’s very wrong and ends up breaking down the door."

Does Zainab let him help her?
"No. She doesn’t want to have anything to do with him. He says to her, ‘We don’t have a choice in this matter.’ He’s a true gentleman."

Does he call an ambulance?
"He calls Syed and tells him to get Mas there fast…"

Who actually delivers the baby?
"Mas turns up then Nitin, who plays Mas, and I go into comedy birth mode – until the baby is born and things take a horrible turn…"

Is the baby at risk?
"It’s a boy but he’s limp and isn’t breathing at all. When I read the script I had tears in my eyes. Christian’s on the phone to the emergency services and shouts instructions to Mas and the baby eventually screams into life. They name him Kamil."

And it all makes Syed broody…
"He tells Amira he wants a baby and that’s what Zainab’s hoping for, that he’ll realise being a father is more important than having a male lover. It’s very naive of her."

Even more shocks lie ahead for Zainab… What happens?
"She learns Mas has been gambling, which is bad news as it turns out he used to have a bad habit. She’s heartbroken when it looks like he’s been stealing post too."

Does she believe him when he says he’s innocent?
"Eventually she does. But it’s the start of a new mystery..."