An EastEnders child star looks unrecognisable as she returns to the BBC 19 years on from her soap axe, and her new show is worlds away from Walford.
Shana Swash, now 35, is best known for her portrayal of troubled teen Demi Miller on the iconic soap between 2004 and 2006. Her performance as the young mum, involved in gritty storylines about teenage pregnancy and substance abuse, quickly made her a familiar face to millions of viewers.
Back then, Shana was one of the youngest members of the Miller family, a new clan brought in to stir up life in Walford. She starred alongside her real-life brother, Joe Swash, who played her on-screen brother Mickey Miller. The siblings quickly became fan favourites, with their natural chemistry translating effortlessly on screen.
However, in 2006, Shana’s time on the soap came to an end when her character was written out of the show. She departed alongside co-star Gerry Cowper, who played her on-screen mother Rosie Miller. At the time, an EastEnders spokesperson said: ‘Gerry and Shana have been enormous assets and go with our best wishes.’
After leaving EastEnders, Shana chose to take a step back from the limelight. Unlike her brother Joe, who went on to win I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and become a regular face on British TV, Shana decided to explore other avenues outside of acting.
Her most recent TV appearance saw Shana make a guest appearance on Stacey & Joe, a BBC reality series that follows the everyday family life of Joe Swash, his wife Stacey Solomon, and their blended family at their Essex home, affectionately named Pickle Cottage.
The show offers fans a behind-the-scenes look into the chaos and charm of raising a big family, and in one series two episode, Shana appears in a piece to camera, saying: ‘Joe is almost on the level of the children.’
Casie nodded in agreement, adding: ‘Yeah, 100%. But that’s what’s great about him. I think that’s why our children love him as well, because it’s fun. He’s like that all the time, and if he tries to be strict, it doesn’t really work.’
The heartwarming exchange shows the close bond shared by the Swash siblings and also gives viewers a glimpse into their private lives beyond the world of television.
For Shana, Stacey & Joe marks her first on-screen appearance since a small role in Doctors back in 2018. While she hasn’t completely turned her back on the entertainment industry, having appeared in dramas like Top Boy and the film Love Without Walls, she has opted for a more low-key lifestyle in recent years.
In fact, Shana has taken a completely different path. She now co-owns a coffee shop with her partner, Nick Jones, a skilled carpenter. Her first appearance on Stacey & Joe came in series one, just after she had opened her coffee shop.
Shana and Nick welcomed their first child, a daughter named Kitty Frances Swash Jones, in December 2023, marking a new chapter in Shana’s life away from the pressures of fame.
Despite her move away from acting, Shana has still dipped her toes into TV from time to time. In addition to her drama roles, she’s appeared on several entertainment and reality shows over the years, including All-Star Family Fortunes, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! NOW!, and Your Face or Mine?
Her brother Joe, meanwhile, has continued to thrive in the world of entertainment. After leaving EastEnders in 2008, he found renewed popularity on reality TV and as a presenter. He briefly returned to EastEnders in 2011 and again in 2024 to celebrate the soap’s 40th anniversary.
Joe is now a devoted dad to four children and also stepfather to two of Stacey Solomon’s children from a previous relationship. His family life, while busy, is often filled with laughter, something Shana and Casie both point out in the episode of Stacey & Joe.
Shana’s recent return to the screen may be brief, but it’s a touching moment for longtime EastEnders fans who remember her as a teenage mother navigating the challenges of life in Albert Square. With her new life centred around family, community, and her coffee shop, Shana’s world today is a far cry from the high drama of Walford.
Still, her appearance on the BBC show serves as a reminder of her talent, warmth, and enduring connection with her family both on and off screen.
This article was first published on October 16, 2025.
