stuck in the middle of everything going on around him. This time, it's all come down on him - and through no fault of his own." Discussing where the story could go next, Patel added: "I never want Tamwar and Afia to get divorced. From the moment they married, Meryl and I have said we want them to be the couple who stays together." Patel said that viewers will see his injuries caused by the fire. He told TV Times: "He doesn't want to show them to anyone and, when we do eventually see them, it won't be a sight for sore eyes. He becomes more of the Tamwar we saw before [he married Afia] - the one that hardly ever smiles. He shuts himself off from everyone." Departure (2012) In May 2012, it was announced that Fernandes would be leaving EastEnders. The actress had finished filming her final scenes for a June departure. An EastEnders spokesperson stated "Since the traumatic events of the fire, things have not been the same in Tamwar and Afia's relationship. As their issues worsen, they are forced to decide whether their marriage is worth fighting for or whether they have grown apart." Patel admitted that he found filming Afia's exit plot challenging and added that he wishes Fernandes was not leaving the show. Patel insisted that Tamwar and Afia were made for each other and hoped they would stay together indefinitely. He stated "The door has been left open, though, so there might be a chance for Afia to come back at some point. I really hope she will!". Patel added that he and Fernandes were delighted with their final scene, calling it "emotional". Fernandes made her screen departure on 7 June 2012. Reception Tamwar and Afia's wedding was voted best wedding at the Inside Soap awards 2011. Afia has been described by TV Pixie as "slightly erratic" and "aloof". When Afia and Tamwar married, the website said that the Afia and Tamwar storyline "ran out of steam" after leaving for their honeymoon. The Mirror states that Afia and Tamwar's wedding is "the kind of sensationally explosive event we have come to expect in Soapland." References External links Television characters introduced in 2009 Female characters in television Fictional receptionists Fictional waiting staff Ahmed family Fictional Muslims