EastEnders recasts Ash Panesar role
Sakira Vel has joined EastEnders as Ash Panesar, who was previously played by Gurlaine Kaur Garcha from 2019 to 2023.
EastEnders has recast the role of Ash Panesar.
Gurlaine Kaur Garcha previously portrayed the character from August 2019 until her final episode on March 8th, 2023, but Ash - whose full name is Ashneet Kaur Panesar - is heading back to Walford.
Sakira Vel has joined the BBC One soap as Ash, and she counts the role as a "real honour".
She said: "When I got the call offering me the role, I don't think I could truly believe it until I finally made it onto the Square!
"EastEnders is an absolute television icon, and the show was essentially the backdrop to my childhood.
"Taking on the role of Ash is a real honour and I cannot wait for the audience to see what we have in store as she dives straight into the Panesar family chaos."
Ash was last seen in Walford in March 2023 when she was preparing to jet off to Canada for a new job.
In the meantime, she hasn't had much contact with her family, so her return is likely to be a huge shock for the Panesars.
EastEnders' executive producer Ben Wadey said: "We’re delighted to welcome Ash back to Walford and to have Sakira Vel join the EastEnders cast.
"With unresolved tensions still simmering between Ash and her family, her unexpected return is set to create new challenges for the Panesar family."
Following Gurlaine's on-screen departure as Ash in 2023, the star was left in tears as she issued a heartfelt goodbye to the soap's cast and crew.
She took to Instagram to share a speech she had delivered to her co-stars, and the production team.
She said: "I’ve had the best time on this show, and what’s funny is this actually came to me at a time when I had given up on the dream of being an actor.
"So, it’s an extra special job to me.
"I’ve learnt so much and I’ve worked with the most amazing people.
"It’s been an amazing three and a half years here at EastEnders."
Balvinder Sopal, who plays Ash's mother Suki Panesar, wrote: "You brilliant, brilliant human!
"What fire you brought to the square.
"It was an utter pleasure to work alongside and share the screen with you. Only great things, from now on."
