EastEnders have announced a return of yet another soap legend for the ‘explosive anniversary’ as he’s back to host a special programme to celebrate the big week

An EastEnders fan favourite will be making his return to the Square ahead of the highly anticipated 40th anniversary.

Joe Swash, who returned briefly last year to reprise his role as Mickey Miller will be gracing EastEnders fans’ screens once again as he hosts a special programme looking at the explosive storylines that are set to take place during the anniversary week.

The special programme EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In will give fans extra behind the scenes insights on all the huge storylines. These include the long awaited reveal of Cindy Beale’s attacker, as well as Denise, Jack and Ravi’s interactive love triangle, which will give fans the opportunity to vote for the outcome for the first time ever.

Joe will also get inside info on the live episodes, with actors directly involved including Patsy Palmer, who plays Bianca, and Natalie Cassidy, who announced her exit as Sonia after over three decades earlier this week.

Just like fans do everyday, the actors will be sharing their own possible theories on the outcome of their dramatic storylines, as well as celebrating 40 years of the soap.

“It was a privilege to take another trip back to Walford to reunite with my EastEnders family ahead of the 40th anniversary,” Joe Swash said on his involvement. Not giving too much away though, he continued: “I won’t say too much as I don’t want to spoil it for the viewers, but the week is full of explosive drama, and it was great to hear from the cast themselves about what we can expect from the week.”

Joe returned to the soap to make a cameo last month ( 
Image:
BBC)
Executive producer Chris Clenshaw added: “The 40th anniversary is a monumental occasion for EastEnders, and since we started announcing some of our plans, we have seen an overwhelming amount of speculation around possible theories of what’s to come in the anniversary week. This anniversary special show will give the audience a chance to hear from the actors involved in some of those explosive storylines as they share their thoughts and feelings of being involved in its historic milestone.”

Joe Swash made his first appearance in the BBC soap in April 2003 before leaving in 2008. However, he never turned his back completely on the soap, returning for guest appearances in September 2011, and most recently in December 2024. The star made a shock cameo ahead of the 40th anniversary to help save the Bridge Street Market from closure.

Speaking on his return at the time after almost 16 years away, the star said: “It was amazing to go back. I was super honoured to be asked back; it was so nice to see all the new crew and the crew that was there back in the day when I first started. It felt like home.”