Nina Wadia says 'EastEnders' has impacted her long-term memory.
Nina Wadia
The soap star - who played Zainab Masood for six years before leaving in 2013 - has made it to the Thursday's (05.08.21) final of Channel 4's 'Can I Improve My Memory', and she noticed some changes during her stint on Albert Square.
She is quoted by The Sun newspaper's Bizarre TV column as saying: "Having been on 'EastEnders', my memory changed and adapted.
“Short-term memory – really good, but my long-term memory suffered.
“It was not only the volume but the speed at which you have to learn lines.”
The 52-year-old actress admitted her then-castmate Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale) advised her to re-think the way she approached her lines.
She added: "Adam said, 'Don't learn the lines, remember them'.
"Your brain needs to forget everything, move on and remember like a shopping list.”
Nina left the BBC One soap eight years ago to spend more time with her family and to also have a break from constantly playing the same character.
But she recently insisted the show remains in her heart and she is certain she will step foot back in Walford at some point in the future.
She said: "I know I'll step back into the Square in the future. I've ben asked back a couple of times, but the timing wasn't right. It has to be a joint decision between 'EastEnders' and me."
Nina was one half of a memorable soap married couple along with Nitin Ganatra, who played Zainab's husband Masood Ahmed.
And when she does return to Walford she wants Zainab and Masood to reconcile romantically.
She said: "Me and Nitin met on a stage show that was the precursor to 'Goodness Gracious Me', so when 'EastEnders' wanted to cast my husband I suggested Nitin. I was really upset when they split up Masood and Zainab. It was true love. They have to get them back together one day."
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