EastEnders star Shiv Jalota has opened up about Vinny and Ravi’s rivalry amid the Nish drama.

Scenes airing on the BBC soap next week will see Nish’s sons continue to shower him with attention – even while Vinny is secretly plotting against him alongside Suki.

With Nish under the impression that Vinny is still loyal to him, Shiv explained that Nish’s desperation for his children’s love is Vinny’s “most powerful weapon”.

Related: 10 huge EastEnders stories still to come in 2024

“Whenever he has a sense of doubt, he uses that to manipulate Nish, who is the master manipulator himself,” he said. “Sometimes, I think Vinny does mask his doubts to protect Suki, but he believes he’s got Nish right where he wants him.”

The star went on to admit that Vinny’s rivalry with Ravi for their father’s good graces is a “great conflict” that he and co-star Aaron Thiara have wanted to explore.

“Ravi sees himself as the older brother, but Vinny is a grown man, and he doesn’t like Ravi being the golden boy,” he noted.

“The way Vinny sees it, Ravi is doing everything he can to get his hands on Vinny’s inheritance, so he’s a threat. Vinny is trying to manipulate Ravi and play him at his own game.”

Related: EastEnders’ Reiss hides a huge secret in early iPlayer release

Shiv also suggested that Vinny and Suki’s relationship has gotten stronger as they’ve plotted against Nish.

“For the first time, Suki is trusting Vinny to take the lead,” the star said. “It’s hard for her because Vinny is her youngest and the only child she’s got left at home.

“Every time she tries to parent him, Vinny has to remind her that he knows what he’s doing and she can trust him. Vinny wants to be the one to look after all the Panesars, but I think Suki will always have that maternal instinct to protect him.”