EastEnders fans have been left gobsmacked after discovering the real-life age gap between Priya Nandra-Hart and her on-screen daughter.
Priya (Sophie Khan Levy) rocked up to Walford last year with daughter Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) as the ex-girlfriend and daughter of Ravi (Aaron Thiara). At the time, Ravi had no idea he had a secret daughter - leaving him and the rest of the Panesar family stunned.
And it didn’t take long for Priya and Avani to cause plenty of drama. Between the Panesar family drama and Priya’s own romance troubles, Priya and Avani’s time in the square has not been short of chaos.
READ MORE: Another EastEnders icon 'set to return with Chrissie Watts' as star drops huge 'clue'
READ MORE: Click for more brilliant Daily Star TV stories
And things took a turn for the worse this week, when Priya’s son Nugget (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) passed out in the street following his steroid use. The youngster was then rushed to the hospital - leaving Priya and his sister Avani, devastated.
![EastEnders](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/tv/article33153634.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/5_jb_priya-avani_18.jpg)
However, puzzled fans have diverted their attention from the characters and to the actors' ages. Taking to a Reddit thread, one EastEnders viewer pointed out how Avani actress is actually 24, not 14 like her character.
The actress who plays on-screen mum, Priya, turns 35 this year. One fan mused: “Isn’t the actress that plays Avani in her 20s.” Another fan posted in shock: “Yeah she's 24, playing a 14-year-old. Bloody mental! Especially seeing as Sophie Khan Levy (Priya) is only 11 years older than Aliyah (Avani), and Aaron Thiara (Ravi) is only 7 years older than her,” followed by two exploding head emojis.”
![EastEnders](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article33153033.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_480207EastEnders.jpg)
A third added: “Bloody hell there really is only 11 years between Sophie and Aliyah. I learn something new every day!” A third mused: “Nugget's mum looks 20 and his sister looks 25...who does the casting here guys?"
![EastEnders](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article33178113.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_480258EastEnders.jpg)
For Priya actress Sophie, EastEnders is not her first time on the screen. The star has appeared in several high profile shows before she signed on the dotted soap line.
Sophie bagged a role in series three of All Creatures Great and Small, playing Florence Pandhi. She also appeared in the BAFTA-winning BBC drama, The Sixth Commandment, as Gabrielle Ade.
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter.