"Taking on the role of Ash is a real honour."
The BBC’s EastEnders will be welcoming back Ashneet ‘Ash’ Panesar in the autumn period of 2026.
Ash was introduced to Walford in 2019, as the bisexual girlfriend of Iqra Ahmed (Priya Davdra).
The young doctor was later revealed to be related to the newly-introduced Panesar clan.
She is the sister of Kheerat (Jaz Singh Deol), Jags (Amar Adatia), and Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota).
Ash is also the half-sister of Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara). Her parents are Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) and Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry).
It also emerged that Ash had a fraught relationship with her mother owing to her previous abortion and her sexuality.
Originally played by Gurlaine Kaur Garcha, the character departed Walford for a new life in Canada in 2023.
While off-screen, Ash got engaged, and Suki was disappointed that her daughter did not even tell her.
Ash returns to EastEnders to a host of changes within her family.
This will be the first time she will be in the Panesar fold since her father Nish died.
Her mother Suki has also married Eve Panesar-Unwin (Heather Peace).
Meanwhile, her brother Vinny is expecting a baby he believes is his with Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine).
The role of Ash has been recast to Sakira Vel, who spent a decade working as an emergency medical doctor in the NHS.
She later transitioned to acting and is also a trained dancer in Bharatanatyam.
Speaking of joining EastEnders as Ash, Sakira 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.”
Ben Wadey, the Executive Producer of EastEnders, added: “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.”
EastEnders continues on Monday, September 7, 2026, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Upcoming episodes will focus on the weddings of Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) and Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).
However, in true EastEnders fashion, these nuptials are sure to be filled with drama and chaos.
