The drama in EastEnders continues to intensify as fans speculate that Davinder “Nugget” Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Chowdhry) is on the path to becoming Albert Square’s newest villain. 

Following in the footsteps of his manipulative and abusive grandfather Nish Panesar, 

viewers fear Nugget’s next moves could bring chaos to Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara).

Nugget’s Troubling Transformation

Nugget has been struggling since the shocking death of his grandfather Nish. The abusive patriarch’s demise, 

which occurred during Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) and Eve Unwin’s (Heather Peace) wedding, 

left a lasting impact on the Panesar family. While many residents of Walford celebrated Nish’s departure, his grandson Nugget has been grappling with his emotions.

In recent months, Nugget fell victim to Nish’s manipulations. Before his death, Nish, who had escaped prison, convinced Nugget to assist in his plans while hiding out in Walford. Despite Nish’s cruel actions, Nugget became entangled in his grandfather’s schemes, and the effects of that influence are still evident.

During Monday’s episode, viewers saw Nugget take a significant step towards potential villainy when he caught Denise and Ravi sharing a secret kiss. This revelation has prompted fans to predict that Nugget could soon use this information to his advantage.

Denise and Ravi’s Secret Exposed

Denise and Ravi have been walking a dangerous line, sneaking around to pursue their affair while trying to keep it hidden from their families. In the latest episode, their secrecy nearly unraveled as Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) and Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) came dangerously close to catching them.

Later, during a family celebration for Raymond Dawkins’ birthday, tensions between Denise and Ravi bubbled under the surface. Ravi’s jealousy over Denise’s ex, Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), further complicated matters.

As the pair attempted to steal another private moment, they were caught red-handed by Nugget. His reaction was subtle, but the implications were chilling. Fans quickly took to social media, theorizing that Nugget could exploit the situation to assert control, mirroring the manipulative tendencies of Nish.

Fan Theories: Nugget as the New Nish

Viewers have been vocal about their concerns over Nugget’s potential transformation into a villain. Many believe the writers are positioning him as the next major antagonist in Walford.

One fan on X, formerly known as Twitter, wrote: “The writers are definitely setting Nugget up to be the new Nish #BabyNish #NishJunior #Eastenders.” Another added: “Nugget is still trying to be a little Nish wannabe, I see.”

Others have pointed out how Nish’s toxic influence on Nugget during his final months could be the catalyst for his descent into villainy. As Nugget struggles to process his grandfather’s death and the resulting family fallout, his actions may become increasingly erratic and dangerous.

The Fallout of Nish’s Death

Nish’s dramatic death was a turning point for the Panesar family. During Suki and Eve’s wedding, Nish attempted to poison Eve and hold Suki hostage on a balcony. When Ravi intervened, an altercation led to Nish falling to his death, taking Suki with him. While Suki survived, Nish did not, leaving the family to deal with the aftermath.

Ravi, despite his own flaws, has been reeling from the incident, while Nugget’s loyalty to Nish has made him defensive and combative. His refusal to acknowledge Nish’s abusive behavior has created rifts within the family and fueled his anger toward those who opposed his grandfather.

What’s Next for Nugget?

As EastEnders moves forward, Nugget’s next moves could spell trouble for everyone involved. Armed with the knowledge of Denise and Ravi’s affair, Nugget could use this information as leverage to manipulate or blackmail them, setting the stage for his rise as the next major antagonist in Walford.

Will Nugget fully embrace his darker instincts, or can someone intervene before he becomes the new Nish? One thing is certain: the Panesar family’s troubles are far from over.

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30 pm on BBC One, with episodes available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6 am. Stay tuned for more dramatic twists and turns in Albert Square.

Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.