EastEnders superfan Asif Shakoor is not a man to miss an episode of the popular BBC soap.
When he’s not sat watching the often outrageous exploits of Albert Square’s denizens, the 35-year-old devotes his time to collecting memorabilia from his favourite show and meeting its stars.
Last week Asif met Danny Dyer, who plays Queen Vic’ pub landlord Mick Carter in the soap, during a book signing at Newham Bookshop (see p25), ticking yet another cast member off his list having also recently met Barbara Windsor, who plays Peggy Mitchell, and Patricia Evans, who played Pat Butcher, from the cast.
“I am so happy to have met with Danny Dyer ,” said Asif.
“I was meant to be going to a family function on the day, but I made sure that I could still get down there to met him.”
Asif, from Manor Park, said he’s a “great lover and fan” of EastEnders and has built a collection of goods over the 25 to 30 years he has watched the programme.
“I have collected a huge memorabilia of the EastEnders soap. My collection has just got bigger over the years.
“I’ve got recordings and video tapes on VHS in the basement, along with books, pictures and everything.
“I just can’t describe how much I love the show.”
The superfan has never wanted to miss a minute of action in the square since childhood.
“I make sure I watch every episode. When it’s on TV my eyes are glued to the screen – I just can’t miss one because it makes me quite angry if I do.”
As for Asif’s favvourite chracter?
“Ross Kemp’s Grant Mitchell is my favourite because of his aggressive attitude and the fact that he was the landlord of a huge pub, but I also like Peggy because she comes across as really East End.
“My favourite present character is Danny Dyer for the same reasons I liked Ross Kemp.”
His devotion to the long-running soap saw him outbid his rivals to win an Albert Square street sign, signed by all the cast, in the Recorder’s Christmas Toy Appeal auction in partnership with Community Links back in 2012.
“The plague is special to me as pictures can say a lot but with the plaque it is something normally given to the cast when they are leaving, so it’s special and I think only one other person has one.
“It’s up in bedroom so I can see it everyday.”
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