EastEnders Avani's surprising real-life age gap with on-screen dad Ravi Gulati

ok.co.uk:

It's been a dramatic week on EastEnders, with young Avani Nandra-Hart, played by the talented Aaliyah James, facing a harrowing strip search by police at just 15 years old.

Viewers were left shocked as the storyline unfolded, showing Avani being targeted after dodgy Marvin planted drugs near her.The situation escalated quickly for Avani, who was distraught during the search—made worse by her parents being unreachable.

With Priya and Ravi missing the crisis calls, Avani turned to alcohol to cope with her ordeal and ended last night's episode unconscious in the playground.Tonight's scenes are set to be tense as Ravi, played by Aaron Thiara, discovers the truth behind his daughter's visit to the station.

Offscreen, Aaron and Aaliyah share a surprisingly small age difference given their on-screen roles. In a twist that surprises many fans, Aaliyah is actually 24, despite playing a teenager, while soap dad Aaron is only 31, while his character is 38.