Dr. Yusef Khan

Name: Dr. Yusef Khan
First Appeared: 23rd November 2010
Last Appeared: 26th December 2011
Played by: Ace Bhatti

Dr. Yusef Khan’s time in Walford was nothing short of a dramatic rollercoaster, filled with twists, turns, and a fair share of fire—both literal and metaphorical. Yusef’s backstory was as fiery as his temper. He married Zainab Masood in an arranged marriage at 17, but things took a dark turn when Zainab had an affair with Masood Ahmed. In a fit of rage, Yusef set Zainab on fire, though he later claimed it was his family’s doing and that he tried to save her. This incident left deep scars, both physical and emotional, and Zainab eventually divorced him to marry Masood, moving to the UK.

Yusef’s arrival in Walford was marked by tension and drama. He first appeared when his daughter, Afia, introduced him to her boyfriend, Tamwar Masood. Tamwar felt inadequate in Yusef’s eyes, but Yusef surprisingly approved of him. However, when Yusef visited the Masood home and encountered Zainab, old wounds were reopened. Masood Ahmed, Tamwar’s father, didn’t take kindly to Yusef’s presence and made his feelings known with a couple of punches. Despite the rocky start, Yusef gave his blessing for Tamwar and Afia’s marriage, but his presence continued to stir the pot.

As Walford’s new GP, Yusef took an interest in Denise Fox, but his past with Zainab loomed large. He was pickpocketed by Janine Malloy and faced rumours spread by Dot Branning. Yusef’s attempts to rekindle a relationship with Zainab were met with resistance, and his manipulative nature soon became apparent. He started a relationship with Denise, but it quickly fizzled out. Yusef’s meddling didn’t stop there; he encouraged Zainab and Masood’s estranged son, Syed, to make amends, leading to more chaos when the roof collapsed at Tamwar and Afia’s engagement party.

Yusef’s manipulations reached new heights when he convinced Zainab to take a holiday to Pakistan, only to suggest they move there permanently. His deceitful nature was exposed when he falsified a paternity test, causing a rift in the Masood family. Despite his attempts to win Zainab over, his true colours shone through when he kidnapped Kamil and threatened Zainab. The final showdown saw Yusef setting a fire at the bed and breakfast, trapping Masood, Phil, and Denise inside. In a dramatic twist, Zainab tricked Yusef into thinking Afia was in the building, leading to his demise in the flames.