There was a real blast from the past for EastEnders fans during Monday’s episode when Mickey Miller (Joe Swash) made an unexpected return to the show.
The character had not been seen since his exit from Albert Square since a guest appearance in 2011.
His comeback came as a shock to fans as soap bosses had not announced that he would be back on screen prior to transmission.
Here’s what you need to know about the character…
Who is Mickey Miller in EastEnders?
Mickey made his debut back in 2003 and established himself as a comedy character known for his wheeling and dealing.
The following year, he was joined on the Square by his on-screen family, including mum Rosie (Gerry Cowper), stepdad Keith (David Spinx), and half-brother Darren (Charlie G. Hawkins) and half-sister Demi, who was played by Joe’s real-life sister Shana Swash. Mickey’s elder sister Dawn Swann (Kara Tointon) was also a later addition.
During his time in Walford, Mickey was involved in various money-making schemes, often with fellow scammer Mo Harris (Laila Morse).
He had close friendships with Gus Smith (Mohammed George) and Minty Peterson (Cliff Parisi), and enjoyed romances with Kareena Ferreira (Pooja Shah), Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) and Li Chong (Elizabeth Tan).
Mickey left the Square with stepdad Keith in 2008 to take a job working with his mum Rosie in the Cotswolds.
He made a temporary return in 2011 for brother Darren’s ill-fated wedding to Jodie Gold (Kylie Babbington).
Who plays Mickey Miller in EastEnders?
EastEnders’ Mickey Miller is played by actor Joe Swash, who was 19 when he joined the cast in 2003.
After leaving the show, he went on to appear on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2008 and was crowned King of the Jungle. He later returned to present the ITV2 spin-off show from 2009 to 2018, and took part in the all-stars South Africa series in 2023.
Joe also won the 2020 series of Dancing on Ice with professional partner Alex Murphy.
He is also married to TV and social media personality Stacey Solomon, with whom he shares three children. He is also stepfather to her two children from a previous relationship, while he also has a son from a previous relationship.
Joe made a return of sorts to EastEnders last year when he hosted the behind-the-scenes special The Six: Revealed, in which he interviewed the cast members involved in The Six storyline.
At the time, he addressed the possibility of a return as Mickey, saying: ‘It’s nice to still have a relationship with EastEnders after all these years, which I really like.
‘Whenever I’ve been back there it’s not changed – inside the dressing room, the makeup room, costume room. ‘It’s exactly the same, the same carpet, same doors. So I do get really nostalgic when I go back there. I was 21 when I did that show. So much has happened since then.
‘You tend to forget about it. But it’s so, so nice. If I get a chance to go back, I’ll always go back. It’s a part of me, it’s something that’s a part of my past.’
Why is Mickey Miller back in EastEnders?
The reason for Mickey’s comeback stems from the potential closure of Bridge Street market and, wanting to do his bit for the cause, he made a generous donation.
He explained that he now runs a chain of BnBs called Miller’s Villas, proving himself to have been quite the success in business since leaving Walford.
He spotted some familiar faces on the Sqaure, including his old mate Mo Harris, who has been putting together a saucy calendar featuring the men of Walford to help raise money for the market.
But with the photographer having failed to show up, Mickey offered his support by taking the pictures.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer.
