Bonnie Langford reveals that her EastEnders character Carmel Kazemi is left completely “lost” and “broken” after her son Shakil’s death.
In fact, the grieving mum decides on the most drastic of plans to escape the horrible truth of Shakil’s murder – she attempts to take her own life as well.
Shakil and Keegan were both stabbed by a gang of thugs during Monday’s episode (21 May) as the residents of Walford celebrated the Royal Wedding.
While Keegan survives, Shakil is left bleeding to death on the streets.
And when mum Carmel discovers her beloved son is dead, she hits rock bottom.
In an interview with the Radio Times, actress Bonnie explains that Carmel is angry and in shock.
In fact, when the residents of Albert Square erect a shrine in Shakil’s memory, Carmel trashes it, unable to cope with her loss.
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On Tuesday (29 May), Carmel is pushed to take drastic measures and attempts to take her own life, feeling she cannot live without her son.
Luckily, her eldest son Kush arrives and calls an ambulance.
Asked how Carmel deals with the aftermath of the death, Bonnie says: “She starts off in denial, completely refusing to accept it.
“She then goes through an absolute rollercoaster of emotions like a massive pendulum swinging back and forth to the point where Kush is very worried about her.
“She is in shock and completely lost. She loved Shaki so much, he was her baby and she feels this huge guilt because she was away at the time of the crime enjoying herself.”
Explaining why the usually bubbly Carmel doesn’t want to attend the memorial that Linda has organised, Bonnie continues: “It’s denial, it’s anger. She just feels that people don’t know what to say, she’s so angry and broken.
“Deep down she’s angry with herself because she always tried to protect her son and the one time she went away just for a day it all went so terribly wrong. So there is a huge amount of personal responsibility and guilt.”
Carmel and the Kazemi family aren’t the only Albert Square residents who struggle in the aftermath of Shakil’s horrific murder.
Mick Carter also feels terrible guilt after he turned an injured Shakil away from the pub, thinking he was drunk.
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