Epilepsy a major storyline in Eastenders
It’s been the best kept secret on Albert Square but we can now reveal that there is going to be an important epilepsy storyline on Eastenders. Davinder Gulati, the young 17-year-old known as Nugget, suffered from a bleed on his brain having been brutally beaten up by his father at the start of this year.
His father Ravi is already full of guilt having mistaken his son for his own abusive father, when he was suffering hallucinations due to his drink being spiked. On Monday’s episode, it was revealed that Nugget has epilepsy. He initially brushes off an absence seizure, but when he is having his first driving lesson, he has a full tonic clonic seizure. Fortunately the car was stationary at the time so he drives into some bins.
Upcoming scenes will deal with his diagnosis and what it will mean for him moving forward. BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron
We won’t be issuing any spoilers but we really welcomed the opportunity to work closely with the research team and writers on the evolving script. While there is some dramatic licence in places, they always wanted to make sure anything to do with Nugget and his epilepsy was accurate. And we are delighted that the actor, Juhaim Rasul Choudhry, who plays Nugget also wanted to make sure his portrayal was authentic.
Clare Pelham, Chief Executive of Epilepsy Society commented: “We at the Epilepsy Society were delighted when the Eastenders team contacted us to say there would be a storyline involving epilepsy and asked for advice on how to present Nugget’s story realistically.
Eastenders has such an amazing reputation for courage and tackling issues that other programmes fear to discuss. There is no better way than Eastenders to explain to millions of viewers about seizures, and how we can all support our friends and neighbours with epilepsy. Conversations about Nugget’s story and the impact on his family will make it that bit easier for someone with epilepsy to tell their friends; and bring epilepsy out of the shadows. Eastenders reaches parts of our national conversation that others can't, and that means more openness and less stigma, and a better life for people with epilepsy.”
Executive Producer, Ben Wadey said: “We are committed to portraying Nugget’s journey authentically and with sensitivity, so have sought advice from Epilepsy Society to ensure an accurate representation of the challenges a young person may face following their diagnosis”.
If you want to catch up on Eastenders you can view it on BBC I Player at EastEnders - BBC iPlayer. Do let us know your thoughts on the storyline via our social media channels, we’d love to know what you think!