Former EastEnders star Shaheen Jafargholi, who played Shakil Kazemi on the BBC soap, shocked fans when he took to social media and posed topless to show off his ripped appearance
Shaheen Jafargholi played the part of Shakil Kazemi on EastEnders (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)
Former EastEnders star Shaheen Jafargholi has shocked fans with his appearance – almost a decade after he left the BBC soap. The actor, 29, played Shakil Kazemi from 2016 until 2018, with his alter-ego leaving Walford in explosive scenes which saw him stabbed to death as part of a hard-hitting knife storyline.
The former soap star recently took to Instagram to share a series of snaps of himself topless whilst attending a music festival, and, in one photo he posed confidently as he looked to his left and showed off his toned physique.
In another snap, the TV star was seen rolling on the grass as he cuddled his dog. He did not caption the post, but fans were taken aback by his appearance.
One wrote: “Well then [fire emoji],” and another said: “Phoaar!” A third wrote: “You’re looking very nice and slim in this Photo,” and a fourth said: “gorgeous!!”
Following his time on EastEnders, he enjoyed a five-year stint as Marty Kirkby on Casualty and later this year, he will be seen in Sky legal drama War.
When Shaheen left EastEnders, he said: “It’s going to be weird – I’ve been there for two years now and made so many incredible friends and family.
“Like anything all good things come to an end, it’s the nature of these kind of shows, characters come and go I feel so blessed to be able to leave with such an incredible storyline that means so much.”
Shaheen initially found fame when he competed on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 alongside Susan Boyle and Diversity, and has so far released two albums. Shortly after impressing Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan on the ITV1 talent show, and reaching the final, he was selected to perform at Michael Jackson’s funeral.
He sang Who’s Lovin’ You again and, according to the late US talk show host Larry King, the founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordy, said “If I were still in the business, I would sign him tomorrow.”
Shaheen previously recalled: “When I was walking I wasn’t thinking about anything other than the way to get there. So I just walked out and did it. When I opened my mouth to sing, I was fine.
“When I sing I go into a totally different world. I feel invincible. I feel nobody can touch me and I can do whatever I want to do. It wasn’t until I’d finished that I realised what I’d just done.”
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