Ash Panesar

Introduction and family establishment The character, played by Garcha, originally appeared in two episodes on 29 and 30 August 2019. Ash was created as part of a new "trailblazing" LGBT storyline for the soap Ash's first episode was teased to see Iqra struggle to reveal the truth of her sexuality to her grandparents Arshad Ahmed (Madhav Sharma) and Mariam Ahmed (Indira Joshi), but thanks to Ash's moral support, she would announce their relationship with pride. In October, it was revealed that Ash was the sister of the Panesar brothers; Kheerat (Jaz Deol), Jags (Amar Adatia), and Vinny (Shiv Jalota). The brothers had arrived in Walford to look for her, as she had cut off the family years prior due to having an argument with their mother. Characterisation Ash, a doctor, arrived in Walford four years after cutting her family out of her life. and "long suffering". Notable relationships Iqra Ahmed Ash and Iqra began their relationship in 2018, but couldn't go public with their relationship due to Iqra being involved in an arranged marriage and Iqra initially not being open about her sexuality. While Iqra expressed interest in meeting Ash's family, Ash gave her few details and kept secretive about them. Ash was said to be "conflicted" about what to do for the best, uncertain about how much she should tell Iqra about her background. Garcha admitted feeling mixed emotions regarding the breakup news. She explained that it was because it was her "first relationship storyline" and admitted that she "really loved them together" as "they really worked" and enjoyed receiving supportive messages from fans and viewers. "torrid", and "strained". As Ash's decision to leave her family was caused by Suki's closed mindset, it was said that Ash "wants nothing to do with her mother", Garcha illuminated that Ash thinks Suki is "evil" as "if Ash is happy, Suki's not happy" and "Suki has a hold over her" when "Ash wants to be a strong person and the complete opposite of her mum". Garcha acknowledged that her character was aware that "nothing is out of bounds for Suki", explaining that Ash's mother was "willing to go as far as she can to jeopardise anything that makes Ash happy". Garcha hoped the interactions would allow viewers the opportunity to see Ash "in a new light", as she would "crack" and have "had enough", which were aspects of her character which were yet to be explored. Garcha admitted to becoming emotional while reading scripts for the episode, having experienced racial prejudice recently before filming, resulting in the scene being "difficult" for the actress to film. The actress continued by implying Ash was jealous of Dotty and could "see through" her, frustrated at "why the rest of the family cant". The actress expressed excitement for Ash's father to "come along and complete the family" As Nish's release date drew closer, Garcha acknowledged that viewers had recently seen Ash "expressing how she never really got to know her father" and explained that her character "loves her dad" and would be "floored" to be reunited with him. She teased that Nish's arrival would bring "exciting times" for the family: "It's roller-coaster, edge-of-your-seat and emotional stuff". Departure On 30 January 2023, it was announced that Ash had been axed from the soap by executive producer Chris Clenshaw after four years. At the time of the announcement, Garcha was still filming. After Ash's exit in episode 6659, broadcast on 8 March 2023, the soap released a video of Garcha delivering a speech after concluding filming her final scenes. In the speech, Garcha enthused that she "had the best time" on the show, especially as the opportunity arrived when she was reconsidering her career path. ==Storylines==

Ash arrives in Walford as the Sikh bisexual girlfriend of Iqra Ahmed (Priya Davdra), being introduced to Iqra's grandparents Arshad (Madhav Sharma) and Mariam (Indira Joshi). Iqra explains that Ash is a doctor. At a nightclub one night, Iqra tells people that they are just friends, upsetting Ash. Iqra kisses Ash in front of all the residents as an apology. Later in the year, Ash is revealed to be a member of the Panesar family, the sister of Kheerat (Jaz Deol), Jags (Amar Adatia), and Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota). During a "wife swap" event, Ash is paired with Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) for several days and soon notices that Honey has bulimia nervosa, and advises her to seek professional help. When Honey disowns her boyfriend Adam Bateman (Stephen Rahman-Hughes), who knew about her eating disorder and showed little concern, Ash and Iqra praise Honey for her newfound courage. Kheerat, Jags, and Vinny move into a house before Kheerat apologises to Ash for disagreeing with her decision to have an abortion at age 19. However, he is disappointed with Ash after she introduces him to Iqra, as Iqra is Muslim. Later, Ash's mother Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) arrives in Walford claiming to want to repair their relationship, as they had previously cut contact due to Suki's disapproval of Ash's sexual orientation. Suki reveals she is dying from cancer, but Ash realises that Suki is lying. Suki discloses that she lied about it to bring the family closer before Ash's father is released from prison. Ash interprets a comment from Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) as racism, and reports him to his employer Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), who fires him. Ash is harassed by Harvey's son Aaron (Charlie Wernham), who does hold racist views but is convinced to forgive Harvey after his daughter Dana (Barbara Smith) explains that he never thinks before speaking. Ash begins bonding with Peter Beale (Dayle Hudson), unaware that Peter slept with Suki. When Ash and Iqra break up, she begins a relationship with Peter. The relationship sours after Ash is suspended from her job for supplying medicine to Peter while off-duty and hungover. After Jags is killed in prison, Peter fails to support Ash through her trauma and she breaks up with Peter after catching him sleeping with her mother for the second time. After a brief departure, Suki registers Ash for GP training and sets her up to run a doctor's surgery with Nina Gupta (Hersha Verity), despite Ash enjoying her current position. Suki also buys Ash a car to bribe her, and Ash expresses her frustration and claims Suki has always controlled her, and wouldn't let her visit her father in prison. After Kheerat and Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) fight, Ash examines Ben before he admits he called off protection for Jags as revenge, which resulted in his death. Ash is blackmailed by Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) after writing an incorrect prescription for her to return money that her family stole from Jean Slater (Gillian Wright), but she is caught by Kheerat in the act. When Ash's father Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) is released from prison, it is revealed that local resident Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) is her half-brother. Kheerat tells Ash and Vinny that Nish was in prison for murder, causing Ash and Vinny to give Nish the cold shoulder, but they both forgive him after he apologises and explains his side of the story. After Kheerat confesses to the murder of Ranveer Gulati (Anil Goutam), despite Ravi and Nina being responsible and Suki believing it was her, resulting in Kheerat's arrest. Months later, Ash tells Nish that she has been re-offered a job in Canada, and, not wanting her to leave, he orders Suki to convince Ash against going, but, wanting her daughter to see success, Suki baits her into taking the job, pretending to dissuade her. As a result, Ash pursues the job and departs after warning Nish to give Suki more control of their marriage's business empire. In July 2025, it is revealed that Ash is getting married but Suki is devastated when Ash doesn’t invite her to the wedding. ==Reception==

Johnathon Hughes of Radio Times was unsurprised by the reveal of Ash being a member of the Panesar family, commenting that he had "pretty much guessed it". Codling explained this was due to Ash starring in "widely praised" Iqra story, which was praised for its "portrayal of a modern-day LGBTQ+ relationship between two women from the British Asian community". Upon her exit announcement, Zara Woodcock of Mirror claimed the character had been a "huge hit with fans" across her stint. Upon the character's exit, Maisie Spackman of the Metro commented that Ash was "much loved" and reported fans praising Ash's character and wishing Garcha the best. ==See also==