What happened between Ash and Eve in EastEnders? Their history explained as Ash returns

EastEnders is bringing Ash Panesar back to Walford this week, reviving a part of Suki and Eve’s history that some viewers may have forgotten. With Ash returning to a family that has changed enormously during her absence, her past connection with Eve suddenly has fresh relevance.

Were Ash and Eve ever together in EastEnders?

Ash and Eve were never a couple. Eve developed feelings for Ash after arriving in Walford in 2021, but never told her before Ash temporarily left the Square in 2022.

During Ash’s absence, Eve began growing closer to Suki. An important early moment came when they were locked together in the back of a police van in giving them an opportunity to open up to each other.

By the time Ash returned in June, Eve’s feelings had moved on and her connection with Suki was becoming increasingly important.

Did Ash fancy Eve?

After returning to Walford, Ash began seeing Eve differently and eventually decided to make her feelings clear.

In scenes broadcast on July 28, 2022, Ash and Eve went for drinks at Walford East. Suki was also at the restaurant and watched them together as Ash’s interest in Eve became increasingly apparent.

Ash eventually attempted to kiss Eve and admitted that she liked her. Eve rejected her, explaining that she had fallen for somebody else and had not completely got over that person. What Ash did not know was that Eve was talking about her mum.

Eve had therefore not used Ash to get close to Suki. Her earlier feelings for Ash predated her developing relationship with Suki, while Ash became interested in Eve after Eve had already fallen for her mum.

How did Suki and Eve get together?

Suki and Eve’s relationship grew gradually after their early clashes, with the police van encounter giving them an opportunity to see a more vulnerable side of each other. As their attraction intensified, Eve was more willing to acknowledge her feelings while Suki initially struggled with accepting her sexuality and what their relationship could mean.

The pair eventually kissed and their connection developed into a much bigger love story, although the road to being openly together was far from straightforward. After years of secrecy, family pressures and obstacles, Suki and Eve eventually reached a place where they could live openly together and marry.

Their story carried additional significance because Ash is bisexual and had previously experienced a lack of acceptance from her mum.

Ash had wanted Suki’s support, making Suki’s own journey towards accepting her sexuality particularly poignant within their wider family history.

Did Ash know about Suki and Eve?

Ash did not know the full truth about Suki and Eve when she left Walford for Canada in March 2023.

Before leaving, she spoke about how much she had wanted Suki’s support when she came out as bisexual. Ash also inadvertently helped create an opportunity for Suki to continue seeing Eve without realising the full extent of their relationship. It meant Ash left without knowing just how much her mum’s life was about to change.

Why does Ash’s return matter now?

Ash is coming home to a very different Suki. The mother who once struggled to give her bisexual daughter the acceptance she needed is now able to live openly with Eve as her wife.

It does not erase the difficult history between them, but it gives Ash and Suki an opportunity to confront that past from a very different place.

Eve’s position within the family adds another unusual layer, as the woman Ash once tried to kiss is now her stepmother.

For Sukeve fans, Ash’s return therefore goes far beyond a forgotten crush. It reconnects an important part of Suki’s past with the life she and Eve have now built together.

EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.