In case you were away with the fairies a couple of weeks ago, you would have noticed that all the tabloids were getting excited about Britain’s favourite Bollywood babe Shilpa Shetty.  Since her appearance in celebrity Big Brother two years ago, she has been the centre of attention for the British Press - and the stories surrounding her just don’t seem to be going away…

The recent excitement surrounds the rumours that she is currently in talks with BBC bosses to appear in British soap Eastenders.  Hearsay has it that she is to be cast as part of a new Asian family who are sure to give the Masoods a run for their money.

Now, when I first heard this news I laughed, as I didn’t know exactly where diva Shilpa Shetty would fit in - especially in a place like Walford.

She had originally been offered a part in Eastenders after her stint in celebrity Big Brother, but turned it down to focus on her attempt to revive her Bollywood career.  But seeing as that hasn’t really gone anywhere, she is back again considering the BBC’s offer after moving into her new £10 million home in Weybridge, Surrey with her fiancé Raj Kundra.

Formerly, it was hoped that she would be cast as gangster Phil Mitchell’s love interest. Now I hope I’m not the only one thinking this, but what the earth?! Stunning Shilpa Shetty and scruffy Phil Mitchell?  It would be like pairing Angelina Jolie (the actress Shilpa compares herself to) up with Gulshan Grover in a Bollywood film!

Eastenders has constantly struggled to represent the Asian community, but is slowly making progress with the Masoods …and then there is the random bhangra music blaring out in the market, and the Bollywood film posters stuck up sporadically.  More recently I noticed the sari shop near Ian Beale’s fish and chip shop.  Yes I know.  How sad.

As excited as I am about the prospect, I still can’t picture it. Where will a glamorous babe like Shilpa fit in Albert Square? She seems more suited to Sunset Beach where all the actresses wake up with immaculate hair and make-up.

Realistically I see Shilpa taking over the Vic or R&R’s, and giving the Mitchell’s a bit of aggro.  She would obviously then fall in love with Phil seeing as he is the bad boy of the square.  Or it could totally go the other way and we could see her becoming best friends with chavtastic Bianca Jackson.

Whatever character she is lined up to play, she is bound to get tongues wagging here and in India where the soap is quite popular.

Before we know it the nation will be talking about Phil and Shil.

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