EastEnders legend set to return to BBC soap as he lands gig with spin-off show

22 September 2023 , 16:21

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Joe Swash is poised to make a sensational EastEnders return as Mickey Miller (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Primark)

Joe Swash is set to make a sensational return to EastEnders some 15 years after being axed from the BBC1 soap.

The 41-year-old, who played Mickey Miller has landed a role in a spin-off of the show, which will air on BBC3 in the coming months. After departing Albert Square, Swash went on to star in - and win - I'm A Celebrity before joining its own spin-off show's presenting team alongside the likes of Russell Kane, Laura Whitmore and the late Caroline Flack.

The husband of Stacey Solomon has never been far from screens, however, later appearing in Dancing On Ice, Celebrity Masterchef and several other programmes. But a return to Walford is likely to top all of those experiences as he reprises loveable wheeler-dealer, Mickey.

Joe pictured alongside the rest of the Miller clan in 2004 (Press Association/BBC)

A source told the Sun: "There is so much buzz around the show at the moment and with so many big stories bosses felt it was the perfect moment to give the audience an exclusive behind-the-scenes access with a one-off interview special that will be hosted by Joe Swash later in the year.

"Joe is such a huge part of the EastEnders family, so he was a natural fit to present as he has such a history with the show. The special is unlike one they’ve done before so viewers are going to love it."

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In a recent chat about a potential return, meanwhile, Joe explained: "EastEnders can bring people back from the dead, so there’s always a chance of a return! I guess if they really wanted me, they would phone. I don’t know what I’d say if they called. I’ve such a busy life with the kids, but if it fitted in with my life, I would love to."

And ruing his Walford exit during his appearance on the all-stars edition of I’m A Celebrity in South Africa earlier this year, he said: "I had the worst outro ever! I didn’t even leave at the end of the episode. So usually you leave at the end of the episode and you get the 'doof doof' [the drum beating as the show's outro theme kicks in].

"Mine, I went to Norwich to be a bellboy at a hotel, and mid-scene I just walked into the Vic and went, 'Right, see you later'. They turned back to Phil, turned back to me and I’d gone. I was like 'What, that’s it?' I was there five years and not one 'doof doof'!"

Alan Johnson