Laila Rouass then creative head of the channel, Shamin Desai. After moving back to the UK, Rouass became famous for playing the role of Bollywood actress Amber Gates in the cult ITV1 series "Footballers' Wives" between 2004 and 2006 and, albeit briefly, on the ITV2 spin-off series "". She also played recurring roles on the British soaps "Family Affairs" and "Hollyoaks", as well as appearing in episodes of "I Dream", "Casualty" and "Meet the Magoons". She starred alongside Meera Syal in the television adaptation of Syal's novel, "Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee." Rouass was ranked No.87 and No.69 on FHM
Holby City (series 13) cast in January 2011 as general surgical registrar, Antoine Malick. Laila Rouass was cast as cardiothoracic surgical registrar Sahira Shah, appeared from February 2011. Announcing her casting, Daniel Kilkelly of media entertainment website "Digital Spy" described Sahira as a rival for Jac and love interest for Greg, who shares a "dark history" with Hanssen. Rouass was able to relate to the role as, like herself, Sahira is a mother attempting to balance her personal and professional lives. Campbell stated that Rouass brought a "fresh new energy" to the series and that Sahira had been a "joy to create", commenting on