EastEnders favourite Balvinder Sopal teases Ash return is "grenade" to the Panesar family unit this autumn

Actress Balvinder Sopal has teased the impact of Ash's return on the Panesars in EastEnders.

The BBC One soap is set to see Dr Ash Panesar return this autumn in a major new storyline for the Panesar family, now played by Sakira Vel in a recast.

Speaking to Radio Times after joining Strictly Come Dancing 2025's "special" win at The National Television Awards 2026, Sopal was asked about the upcoming return of Ash to Walford.

The actress teased: "Well, I mean, in true EastEnders fashion, there's gonna be absolute drama, isn't there? There's lots to look forward to. We've got a really brilliant autumn, with lots of twists and turns, lots of drama, Ashneet coming back."

Fans are well aware that the relationship between Suki and Ash can be described as rocky at best, not least because Suki wasn't always accepting of Ash's sexuality - which only masked her own insecurities.

It seems Ash's comeback will only result in further chaos for Suki and her wife Eve (Heather Peace), who are hoping to adopt foster child Ria Virdi (Aaria Sharma).

"She's gonna literally throw a grenade back in the Panesar family household," teased Sopal. "So, yeah, let's let it unfold and see what happens..."

Of course, Sopal has long supported the chance to play out Suki's darker side, which she said was inspired by Aunt Polly Grey from the hit BBC gangster series Peaky Blinders, played by the late, great Helen McCrory.

When asked if this means we can expect more from 'Aunt Polly' Suki, Sopal laughed: "Yes please!"

• Read More: EastEnders star Charlie Suff breaks silence on "gutting" Johnny Carter exit and teases autumn drama

Sopal's comments echo those of on-screen son Shiv Jalota on the NTAs' red carpet.

Jalota told Radio Times: "It's amazing. The actress, Sakira, she's fantastic, and she brings a different energy to Ash."

He also teased that Ash's return will have an impact on "the relationship with Suki and Eve as well", and that there's "a lot of drama to come up for that".

We can't wait to see what Sakira Vel does with the role!

Read more:

• EastEnders announces hard-hitting Amy Mitchell storyline as BBC soap works with charities
• EastEnders airs surprise twist for Zoe Slater in tragic final scenes during early BBC iPlayer release
• EastEnders legend Rob Kazinsky teases "scarier" and "premeditated" Sean Slater 20 years since debut

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Lewis is the News and Trends Editor at Radio Times and leads our approach to news, reactive content, and serving audience demands and interests. An obsessive fan of television and film, Lewis is a Nicole Kidman fanatic with a side of passion for science-fiction, art-house cinema and the latest HBO drama. Lewis has a degree in Psychology and a Masters in Film Studies. After working in advertising, Lewis worked at The Mirror for three years in community management and SEO, showbiz, film and television reporting.