romantic

Former EastEnders actress Gurlaine Kaur Garcha, who previously played Ash Panesar on the long-running BBC soap, has married her partner Max after a year-long engagement

EastEnders star Gurlaine Kaur Garcha has married her partner after a year-long engagement. The actress, 32, is best known known for having previously played Ash Panesar on the long-running BBC soap, but she left the programme just over three years ago.

On Friday, she took to social media to announce the news that she and her partner Max had tied the knot. Alongside a selection of snaps from the big day, she wrote on Instagram: “17.6.26.”

A slew of Gurlaine’s former co-stars were quick to congratulate her. Former Strictly Come Dancing star Balvinder Sopal, who plays Gurlaine’s on-screen mum Suki, wrote: “Gorgeous baby. Congratulations.”

Emma Barton, known for her role as Honey Mitchell, wrote: “Gorgeous… congratulations beautiful,” whilst Denis Fox actress Diane Parish simply said; “Congrats”

Last year, the actress, who last year was seen in an episode of the Amazon Prime hit The Girlfriend, shared the happy news of her engagement with fans on Instagram, flashing a huge diamond ring while sipping a cocktail abroad.

“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.

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.

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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NEWLYWEDS Dua Lipa and Callum Turner were spotted kissing in the sea as he squeezed her bum while on their honeymoon in Italy.

The pop star, 30, and her actor husband Callum, 36, have been enjoying married life at the luxury San Domenico Palace hotel in Taormina near Catania.

The couple arrived at the hotel on Monday after they drove from Palermo where they had a huge wedding bash that was attended by several A-listers.

In new photos, the pair looked every inch the loved-up couple, as they soaked up the sunshine in Sicily.

They were pictured in the sea on a float with their hands all over each other.

In one snap, Dua was seen on top her new husband as they enjoyed a kiss, while he couldn’t resist but give her bum a squeeze.

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SWEET STAY

Inside Dua Lipa and Callum Turner’s £4k-a-NIGHT honeymoon at White Lotus hotel

Dua showed off her toned figure in a silver thong bikini and matching top.

They were also seen with their eyes firmly locked on each other as they gazed into each other’s eyes, with Dua placing her hands on his face.

The duo looked smitten as Callum wrapped his arms around Dua’s waist.

The One Kiss hitmaker animatedly pulled an excitable expression with her hands up in the air.

Dua was then seen relaxing on the inflatable float, while Callum held onto the side.

She showed off her sunkissed glow in the two-piece swimwear and wore a black and white bandana on her head.

The couple are staying at a lavish £4k-a-night Italian hotel.

Earlier this week, they were seen walking through the town of Taormina hand-in-hand as they explored.

The hotel where the pair are residing for their honeymoon might be recognisable to some, this is because it was made famous in the HBO series The White Lotus.

Known for its stunning clifftop setting and jaw dropping view of the volcano Mount Etna, the resort is more than fit for the A-listers.

The hotel is The Four Seasons Hotel San Domenico Palace, and it was the main location for the second season of the hit HBO series.

The pair tied the knot last weekend prior with a string of famous faces in attendance.

Elton John, 79, who flew in by private jet for the ceremony, and Dua are close friends after they collaborated on the track Cold Heart in 2021.

Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace, 71, was also at the wedding, held in the grounds of the 18th-century Villa Valguarnera in Bagheria, and is believed to have designed Dua’s dress.

Other A-list guests at their Sicily bash included Brit actor Joe Alwyn, American actress Grace Gummer and her husband DJ Mark Ronson, and pop star Charli XCX and her husband George Daniel, the drummer with The 1975.

Some guests were understood to have signed non-disclosure agreements to protect the privacy of the star-studded three-day celebrations, which kicked off on Friday.

The villa where the lavish wedding bash happened, which also featured in HBO drama The White Lotus 2, is widely considered one of the most historically and culturally significant villas in Sicily.

Amid the vow renewal, following their London ceremony, music legend Elton John serenaded the couple with a rendition of his smash hit ‘Your Song’ in an incredibly emotional and touching moment.

The ceremony kicked off at 5pm and lasted for around an hour with guests arriving from 3:30pm in a whopping 60 minivans.

The bride and groom turned up in a luxury Mercedes Maybach Class V at 3pm prompt to greet their guests ahead of the nuptials.

TELLY star Maya Jama is a divine inspiration on a trip to Italy.

The Love Island host, 31, wore a slinky black dress to pose at the classical Vatican Gardens.

Maya’s Instagram photo dump of a romantic Rome break included her clutching a bunch of keys and at the Sistine Chapel with Man City star boyfriend Ruben Dias.

And she gushed about the trip to her three million fans, writing: “Can you tell I love it here?”

Maya and 28-year-old Portugal footballer Ruben have been ­dating since last year.

She is back at work soon, filming the next series of dating show Love Island which starts in June.

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MAYA’S VERDICT

Maya Jama wades into I’m A Celeb row & reveals why live final ‘went wrong’

Maya has waded into the I’m A Celebrity row as she revealed why the live final “went wrong”, and also sent a message to presenters Ant and Dec.

In Friday night’s explosive grand finale, both David Haye, 45, and Jimmy Bullard, 47, clashed with hosts Declan Donnelly and Ant McPartlin, both 50, leading to one of the biggest showdowns ever on live telly.

Viewers watched with their jaws dropped as an on-air argument erupted, after Jimmy called out Adam Thomas, 37, over the “aggressive” way he handled their now infamous camp row.

The former footballer was backed up by boxer David during the fallout, which was broadcast live on ITV, as they both ranted at hosts Ant and Dec.

However, ever the professionals, the Geordie duo were seen trying to calm down the pair, as they tried to stop the shambles which was being aired to millions of viewers.

Maya, who, like Ant and Dec, is a pro at live TV, has now given her verdict on the huge on-air bust-up.

Taking to X/Twitter, the popular presenter, 31, shared a clip of the fallout between Ant and Dec and Jimmy, and penned: “Didn’t watch but from this clip alone (laughing emoji).

“This is why I love live tv so much and hosting the (Love Island) Aftersun show because barely any channels do it anymore out of fear of what can go wrong but people want real reactions and an edited show will never compete to the live experience!”

Showing her support for the I’m A Celebrity hosts, she added: “Ant and Dec I love you forever also.”