Ali Osman

Name: Ali Osman
First Appeared: 19th February 1985
Last Appeared: 10th October 1989
Played by: Nejdet Salih

Ali Osman was the quintessential EastEnders character, full of charm, mischief, and a fair share of personal demons. Born in April 1956, in Cyprus, Ali moved to London in 1975 with his older brother Mehmet and their family. Fast forward a few years, Ali became the proud owner of the Bridge Street Café in Walford, which he ran with his English wife, Sue, whom he married in 1982. Their joy was multiplied with the birth of their son, Hassan, in 1984, but tragedy was never far behind in Albert Square.

Ali was a notorious gambler, a trait that both entertained and concerned Sue. He often held poker games at the café after hours and placed bets at the bookies. His biggest gamble came in 1985 when he bet the café and won a substantial amount of money. However, their joy was short-lived as their baby, Hassan, tragically died of cot death the next day. The loss strained their marriage, further tested when they struggled to conceive again. Ali’s fears about his masculinity led him to make some questionable decisions, including attempts to seduce Kathy Beale and Angie Watts, both ending in embarrassment. It wasn’t until 1987 that Sue finally became pregnant again, giving birth to their second son, also named Ali, in March 1988.

Life in Walford became increasingly complicated. Sue grew tired of their life, and Ali’s gambling spiralled out of control, resulting in massive debts to Joanne Francis, a member of The Firm. Desperate, Ali borrowed money from Ian Beale at a steep interest rate and continued to gamble to repay his debts. His boasting about a win caught the attention of Donna Ludlow, leading to a blackmail scandal. Sue’s retaliatory kiss with Mehmet shattered Ali, leading to a physical fight with his brother and Sue’s eventual sectioning after she fled with their son, Little Ali. Now a single father, Ali’s struggles only intensified.

Ali’s downward spiral continued as he attempted an insurance scam to keep his café afloat, which Ian witnessed and used to force Ali to sign over the café. He juggled work and parenting, but when his child-minder neglected Little Ali, he had no choice but to send his son to live with his parents. Ali’s final days in Walford saw him losing a poker game to his landlord, leading to eviction and a destructive rampage in his flat. With no options left, his family intervened, sending Ali and Little Ali to Northern Cyprus in October 1989. Ali never returned to Walford, leaving behind a legacy of drama and unforgettable moments.