VINNY’S IN PERIL

Shiv Jalota on his character’s terror when he’s cornered with a bag of illicit cash in EastEnders

The Panesars’ plan to team up with the Mitchells in EastEnders this week leaves Vinny, the youngest of the brothers, in danger. The family are keen to muscle in on the Walford underworld but realise they need help from local kingpins Phil and Ben. Kheerat’s idea to launder money with the pair is championed by Vinny, who’s keen to prove himself to his brother. But Vinny’s eagerness leads him into peril, and while carrying a bag of cash belonging to local villain Stas he’s set upon in an alley.

‘The most important thing for Vinny is to be respected by his family, and he’s ready to show what he can do,’ says Shiv Jalota, who plays him. ‘He sees Kheerat trying to launder money and realises a partnership with the Mitchells is the way to go. But he gets in very deep, very quickly.’

While Kheerat’s considering the Mitchell alliance, Vinny encourages his brother to make it happen after watching him struggle to intimidate a shoplifter. He tells him the Panesar name alone doesn’t carry any clout in Albert Square. ‘Vinny thinks if they and the Mitchells can work together, they’re stronger,’ says Shiv.

A meeting at the Arches goes pear-shaped because Vinny, trapped in the alley, is late delivering the cash – and Stas starts waving his gun at Kheerat and Ben. ‘Vinny’s thinking he could die, but also that he needs to get the cash to Kheerat to give to Stas, because if he doesn’t it will be the end for his involvement,’ says Shiv. ‘Vinny’s not the strongest but he’s quick and fast. His survival instinct kicks in – it’s fight or flight.’

Does he escape? And will the Panesar-Mitchell alliance happen? Shiv won’t be drawn but does say Vinny has big ambitions for himself as part of a successful family firm. As for romance, Shiv believes Dotty would make a great match for Vinny. ‘Neither has a dad, so there’s more than just a romantic connection; they support and need each other.’

Shiv, who’s 27 and from Surrey, joined EastEnders in 2019 for what is his first TV part. And now he hopes he’s a role model for fellow British-Asian actors. ‘As a boy, I watched the Masood family on EastEnders and remember thinking there were people like me on television,’ he says. ‘For me to be a part of a modern representation of what it means to be British and Asian today is beautiful.’ n