SPOILER ALERT: The last time this iconic EastEnders cheeky chappy was seen in Albert Square was more than 13 years ago – and fans have had no idea he is returning to Walford
Joe Swash will appear on Monday night’s episode of EastEnders, more than a decade since he was last seen on the show.
The 42-year-old is back as Mickey Miller, one of the many former characters making a cameo as part of the iconic soap’s 40th anniversary. In scenes which will air Monday 9th December, released earlier on BBC iPlayer, Mickey can be seen returning to Walford to help save Bridge Street Market, which is under threat from greedy developers.
Mickey arrives suited and booted, and tells Mo Harris that he has now established himself as a successful B’n’B proprietor, running a string of businesses dubbed ‘Miller’s Villas’. He makes a generous donation to the Save Bridge Street Market campaign, before being eyed up as a potential for Mr. December in Big Mo’s market trader calendar.
Mickey was the eldest son of the Miller family, who for their four years on the show were at the heart of some of the biggest storylines on the show. He was subsequently written out in 2008, but returned as part of his brother Darren’s exit story.
However, Joe has been back on the Square since then. Last year he was called on to present behind-the-scenes special The Six: Revealed, where he interviewed the actresses at the heart of the year’s biggest whodunnit storyline.
Speaking at the time, he said: “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.”
Other much-loved former characters who have appeared on the show in recent months include David Wicks, and Chrissie Watts. Over the weekend, Joe – who is married to Stacey Solomon – was involved in a horror collision after his car was hit by an oncoming lorry. He took to his Instagram stories on Saturday morning to show off the extent of the damage.
As for Mickey, fans have been left reeling over the unannounced return. Taking to X one fan said: “Mickey wtf!” Another wrote: “Mickey! What a lovely surprise!” as a third said: “I did NOT expect to see Mickey returning.”
