Ganatra: Sharma's a brother to me

Nitin Ganatra says he's so close to Paul Sharma, who plays his younger sibling on EastEnders, that they're like real-life brothers.

Masood Ahmed's (Nitin) tearaway younger brother AJ Ahmed (Paul) has just arrived in Albert Square and the pair have been having great fun, on and off screen.

Nitin told Inside Soap magazine: "Paul and I know each other's style as we've worked together loads in the past - so well, in fact, that we have all these shortcuts. It's like having a real brother."

The soap star revealed he helped get friend Paul the role, and hopes he stays as long as possible.

Nitin said: "It's great for me, because having AJ there is going to bring a very different side to Masood.

"Paul was the first person who came to mind when they described AJ. I suggested Paul, and when we did a scene, they thought we were improvising as the dialogue was so easy between us. We weren't making it up though."