EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami, 42, has reportedly separated from his wife after developing a relationship with his married pantomime co-star.
Ghadami, best known for his role as Kush Kazemi on the BBC soap, is said to have formed a connection with Melanie Barker, 32, who played Princess Jasmine in a 2022/23 production of Aladdin.
Davood Ghadami, who portrayed Abanazar in the production that concluded in early 2023, is believed to have shared “sizzling on-stage chemistry” with Melanie Barker, a talented singer.
According to The Sun, Ghadami allegedly “flirted” with the married mother-of-three during their time working together at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury. The pair reportedly remained in contact after the show ended, and over time, their connection is said to have developed into a romantic relationship.
The publication further claims that both Ghadami and Barker ultimately left their respective spouses and have since moved in together.
A source stated: “They are two very attractive people, and it was clear they had sizzling on-stage chemistry.”
“There was a lot of flirting backstage, and I’m sure Aladdin wouldn’t have been happy that Princess Jasmine was giggling with Abanazar behind his back,” a source told The Sun.
“But the genie is now well and truly out of the bottle—they are a proper couple, living together, training together, and posting photos on Instagram together.”
The insider added that their relationship resembles a “perfect fairytale ending,” aside from the partners “left in their wake.”
MailOnline has reached out to Davood Ghadami’s representatives for comment.
Ghadami married his longtime partner, Isobel, in 2010, and the couple share two daughters, Eve (born in 2012) and Grace (born in 2015).
In a 2018 interview with Woman magazine, the actor spoke fondly of his wife, praising her unwavering support during his time on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, where he was partnered with Nadiya Bychkova.
“My wife and I know each other inside out and have a genuine understanding of how the other ticks. We met 17 years ago at university, so we’ve got a lot of shared history,” he said.
“I’m an incredibly lucky man. My life couldn’t be the way it is without her support. She was amazing when I was in Strictly and kept everything going.”#newsafro_
