EastEnders star unrecognisable 19 years after exit
EastEnders child star looks unrecognisable as she returns to BBC 19 years on from soap axe, and her new show is worlds away from Walford
An EastEnders child star who once lit up Albert Square has returned to the BBC nearly two decades after her dramatic soap exit, and fans are stunned at how much she has changed.
Shana Swash, now 35, is best known for her portrayal of troubled teen Demi Miller on the iconic soap between 2004 and 2006. Her performance as the young mum, involved in gritty storylines about teenage pregnancy and substance abuse, quickly made her a familiar face to millions of viewers.
Back then, Shana was one of the youngest members of the Miller family, a new clan brought in to stir up life in Walford. She starred alongside her real-life brother, Joe Swash, who played her on-screen brother Mickey Miller. The siblings quickly became fan favourites, with their natural chemistry translating effortlessly on screen.
However, in 2006, Shana’s time on the soap came to an end when her character was written out of the show. She departed alongside co-star Gerry Cowper, who played her on-screen mother Rosie Miller. At the time, an EastEnders spokesperson said: ‘Gerry and Shana have been enormous assets and go with our best wishes.’
After leaving EastEnders, Shana chose to take a step back from the limelight. Unlike her brother Joe, who went on to win I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and become a regular face on British TV, Shana decided to explore other avenues outside of acting.
Her latest appearance, however, marks a notable return to television. Shana recently made a guest appearance on Stacey & Joe, a BBC reality series that follows the everyday family life of Joe Swash, his wife Stacey Solomon, and their blended family at their Essex home, affectionately named Pickle Cottage.
The show offers fans a behind-the-scenes look into the chaos and charm of raising a big family, and in one episode, Shana pops in for dinner while Stacey is away working in Lake Como. She joins Joe and her sister Cassie for a family catch-up, and the conversation soon turns to parenting.
Speaking in a piece to camera, Shana said: ‘Joe is almost on the level of the children.’
Cassie nodded in agreement, adding: ‘Yeah, 100%. But that’s what’s great about him. I think that’s why our children love him as well, because it’s fun. He’s like that all the time, and if he tries to be strict, it doesn’t really work.’
The heartwarming exchange shows the close bond shared by the Swash siblings and also gives viewers a glimpse into their private lives beyond the world of television.
For Shana, this is her first on-screen appearance since a small role in Doctors back in 2018. While she hasn’t completely turned her back on the entertainment industry, having appeared in dramas like Top Boy and the film Love Without Walls, she has opted for a more low-key lifestyle in recent years.
In fact, Shana has taken a completely different path. She now co-owns a coffee shop with her partner, Nick Jones, a skilled carpenter. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Kitty Frances-Swash Jones, in December 2023, marking a new chapter in Shana’s life away from the pressures of fame.
Despite her move away from acting, Shana has still dipped her toes into TV from time to time. In addition to her drama roles, she’s appeared on several entertainment and reality shows over the years, including All-Star Family Fortunes, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! NOW!, and Your Face or Mine?
Her brother Joe, meanwhile, has continued to thrive in the world of entertainment. After leaving EastEnders in 2008, he found renewed popularity on reality TV and as a presenter. He briefly returned to EastEnders in 2011 and again in 2024 to celebrate the soap’s 50th anniversary.
Joe is now a devoted dad to four children and also stepfather to two of Stacey Solomon’s children from a previous relationship. His family life, while busy, is often filled with laughter, something Shana and Cassie both point out in the latest episode of Stacey & Joe.
Shana’s recent return to the screen may be brief, but it’s a touching moment for longtime EastEnders fans who remember her as a teenage mother navigating the challenges of life in Albert Square. With her new life centred around family, community, and her coffee shop, Shana’s world today is a far cry from the high drama of Walford.
Still, her appearance on the BBC show serves as a reminder of her talent, warmth, and enduring connection with her family both on and off screen.
from Metro https://ift.tt/k1UYy6r
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