Davood Ghadami’s dream of becoming a property magnate hits a brick wall at planning stage
PLAYING EastEnders market trader Kush Kazemi has given Davood Ghadami a taste for business.
The actor is hoping to become a property magnate after his company put in plans to build 30 homes on a site in his hometown of Harlow, Essex.
But in a plot twist worthy of its own soap storyline, Davood — who will juggle the project with his TV work — is facing a potential showdown with town planners.
Harlow Council has been recommended to put his firm’s proposals on hold by its consultants, because of the land’s “archaeological significance”.
It is suggested that Davood’s firm will now have to undertake extra work which could land them with a hefty bill.
A statement on the planning documents warned that there should be no preparatory work done until further archaeological research has been carried out.
This will include digging test trenches and the nightmare scenario for Davood is that it may lead to full excavation of the site.
A source close to the actor, who came sixth on Strictly last year, said: “This latest response has definitely put a spanner in the works.
“They were hoping to start work as soon as possible but obviously this is a setback.
“It could add a few extra months on the project and they’re hoping it won’t cost them too much.”
Plans were lodged earlier this month by Davood’s mum Jayne, his co-director, before Harlow Council responded with the bad news this week.
Sounds like Walford’s market stall is a much safer bet.
READ ON FOR MORE OF ANDY HALLS' BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Hugh's the man in pic?
HER character, Priya Kotecha, is the feisty businesswoman of Emmerdale but Fiona Wade has shown her softer side.
She posted a loved-up picture on Instagram of herself looking adoringly at a man whose identity she has kept under wraps.
But I can confirm she is dating former co-star Simon Cotton, who was on the soap last year playing Hugh Bryant.
When my team approached Fiona yesterday about the relationship, her miserable rep claimed that writing about it was “a gross invasion of her privacy”.
She uploaded the picture to her public profile, you muppet, to nearly 50,000 fans.
Next you’ll be claiming that episodes of Emmerdale are private too.
Olivia is maid up
OLIVIA Cooke reckons she would be playing “maid number three” in the forthcoming ITV adaptation of Vanity Fair if she hadn’t cracked Hollywood first.
The Oldham-born actress, who starred in Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One, said: “I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t have Steven. They’d be like, ‘Emma Watson?’”
The series stars another Oldham talent in Suranne Jones. It starts at the end of August and I can assure you it’s a visual delight.
Olivia, pictured with co-star Tom Bateman, added: “I had a bit of a break and I leaped on it and haven’t stopped since ’cause I think it’s all going to be ripped away from me.”
Judging from the snippets I’ve seen so far, I highly doubt that.
must watch
WHAT? Killed By My Debt, 9pm, BBC1.
WHY? Docu-drama on 19-year-old Jerome Rogers and his spiral into despair after debt from two £65 traffic fines soared beyond £1,000 and led to him taking his own life.
James' dyeing wishes
COLD Feet disappeared from our screens for more than a decade, yet James Nesbitt somehow returned with more hair for the show’s revival.
But for the next series – the third since the 2016 revival and due on screens later this year – the actor’s prepared to ditch the dye and let character Adam age gracefully.
James, who returns in the third season of Sky One drama Lucky Man on Friday, said: “Adam might give up all the hair dyeing and all of that.
“It was never my bloody idea in the first place.
“There comes a time when someone looks in the mirror and they say, ‘You’re over 50, let it go’.
“We might see him growing up a bit, in terms of personality and also physical appearance.”
James also hinted he was not happy with how the last series, the seventh overall, panned out.
It saw his character cheat on girlfriend Tina, played by Leanne Best, with work colleague Sarah.
He said: “That’s quite a serious point.
“It’s very important that Adam’s likeability returns.
“Adam is flawed and an idiot but I think that was a wee bit of a challenge in the last series, so I’m really excited about the new one.”
So am I. I just hope ITV doesn’t put it out on a Monday night like last time round.
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soapbox
In CORONATION STREET a desperate Eva reports Susie’s disappearance to the police, and Chesney’s attempts to confess his feelings for Gemma at the Bistro are interrupted by Henry.
Meanwhile, at No11, Steve helps Abi and Seb tidy the house before Eileen returns. And when Steve begs Eileen not to throw the pair of them out, she agrees on condition he breaks off his engagement to Tracy.
In Emmerdale Lachlan is alarmed, Pollard is sceptical and Kerry makes a breakthrough.
In Neighbours Sheila finds out that Xanthe is hiding the full extent of her injuries, but is determined to sit her exam next week regardless. Toadie finds out about Sonya’s visit to Andrea.