Rocky Cotton tormented by loan shark Nish Panesar in EastEnders
How far will Rocky go to clear up his debt?
CASH-STRAPPED and desperate, Rocky Cotton turns to Nish Panesar for help.
But when he fails to repay what he owes, the EastEnders villain makes it clear his torment has just begun.
Money has been running low for Brian Conley’s Rocky Cotton and his wife Kathy Beale (played by Gillian Taylforth).
To make matters worse, and as BBC One viewers found out along with his pal Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman), Rocky has also developed a gambling problem as he tried to get extra funds to solve his money woes.
But in scenes airing next week on the London-based program, Rocky reveals he went a step further and confides in Harvey that he owes Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) for a loan and has no way of paying it back.
Harvey suggests he asks for lower repayments, but Nish explains to downcast Rocky that there are hefty financial penalties for changing the terms of their contract.
In later scenes, Rocky is in turmoil as he contemplates how to cope with his mounting debts, while Kathy remains completely oblivious.
Aware of how much pressure his friend is under, Harvey tries to provide a shoulder to cry on but Rocky is in too deep with Nish.
Things go from bad to worse when Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) struggles when the fuse box blows in the café and Kathy can’t afford to pay a professional to sort it out.
Nish realises that Rocky’s fobbing him off about repayments and has a gambling problem.
He warns Rocky that if he doesn’t get his money today, he’ll tell Kathy everything.
Later on, Harvey quizzes Rocky about what he intends to do to pay off Nish.
And when he spots Rocky heading into the bookies, Harvey takes drastic action.
How will Rocky react?
Actor Brian Conley is due to leave EastEnders, two years after his arrival in Albert Square.
Since his exit was announced, fans have been speculating he could wreak havoc as part of another money-making scheme before departing in the midst of chaos.
According to many soap viewers, Rocky could set Kathy’s café ablaze, endangering the lives of many Walford residents, in an insurance claim scam.
Another handful of fans who are gearing up for EastEnders’ upcoming Christmas murder mystery believe Rocky could be killed off.
But what will really happen and how far will Rocky go to resolve his money problems?
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
