EastEnders legend lands soap spin off – 15 years after character’s shock axe
JOE Swash is returning to EastEnders – 15 years after he was axed.
The Sun can reveal that the actor, 41, has landed a role working alongside some of the cast’s biggest names for a very special spin-off show.
An insider told us: “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.”
Joe is expected to be chatting to Gillian Taylforth (who plays Kathy) and Letitia Dean (Sharon) amongst others as the soap gears up for its Christmas murder reveal.
It’s thought the special will be given a slot on BBC3 in the coming months.
Joe played Mickey Miller on EastEnders between 2003 – 2008 and has previously described his exit as the “worst ever”.
Speaking just a couple of weeks ago about a potential return, Joe said: “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.”
He opened up about his exit during his recent stint on I’m A Celeb South Africa, saying: “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’.
“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’!”