EastEnders star engaged as she shows off dazzling diamond ring

An EastEnders star has announced the exciting news of her romantic proposal, as Gurlaine Kaur Garcha, who played Ash Panesar on the BBC One soap, showed off her diamond ring
EastEnders star Gurlaine Kaur Garcha has revealed she is engaged after a romantic proposal in Ibiza.
Former EastEnders star Gurlaine has revealed she's engaged after her partner popped the question on a dreamy Ibiza getaway. The 31-year-old actress, who played Ash Panesar in the BBC soap, shared the happy news with fans on Instagram, flashing a huge diamond ring while sipping a cocktail abroad.
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'v happy & v engaged!!!!!!' she wrote, keeping the caption short and sweet. Although Gurlaine's kept her partner's identity private, she confirmed the romantic proposal took place while on holiday in Ibiza.
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Her EastEnders co-stars were quick to show their love with her on-screen mum Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki Panesar, commenting: 'Oh my days!!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS BABY '
Gurlaine made her debut in Albert Square back in 2019 as Ash; a confident, no-nonsense doctor who immediately made an impression. She arrived as the first member of the Panesar clan, with her brothers and mum Suki introduced shortly after.
Her character quickly became a key figure in several dramatic storylines from tense family fallouts and fractured relationships to fast-paced scenes at the hospital. She was also part of a same-sex romance with Iqra, making Ash one of the few LGBTQ+ South Asian characters in soap at the time.
Ash wasn't afraid to speak her mind, often clashing with her mum Suki, whose controlling nature added even more fuel to their fiery dynamic. Her arrival was also seen as a big moment for representation, with viewers praising EastEnders for spotlighting a British Sikh woman in a lead medical role – something rarely seen on mainstream TV.
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Gurlaine took a short break from the show in 2022 before officially bowing out in early 2023. At the time, soap bosses thanked her for her contribution, while the actress told fans she was 'excited for what's to come'.
Since then, Gurlaine's kept a low profile but still shares snippets of her life online - posting travel pictures, moments with friends, and positive messages with her followers.
And while she's stayed off-screen for now, fans will no doubt be thrilled to see her celebrating such a personal milestone.

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