Former Eastenders star Gurlaine Kaur Garcha broke down in tears to her Instagram followers just weeks after quitting the soap.
The actress – best known as Albert Square medic Ash Panesar – opened up to her followers after being left feeling “helpless and emotionally drained” as she embarks on life after the hit BBC soap.
Gurlaine, 28, is currently spending time in Malawi with Khalsa Aid helping to provide relief to people living in poverty in the region.
During her trip, she couldn’t contain her emotions as she took to social media, revealing the true extent of the toll her visit has taken on her.
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The soap star was seen breaking down in tears as she shared a heart-wrenching update with her fans after promising to share all aspects of the trip with them after deciding to take a break from acting in order to carry out charity work in Africa.
She captioned her videos: “On day four in Malawi we visited a hospital. This was by far one of the toughest experiences of my life.
“I was unsure whether to talk about it, but I want people to know trips like this aren’t all fun and laughter.”
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She continued: “It’s tough, emotionally draining, and you constantly feel a sense of helplessness, when I set out on this trip I wanted to be real and document the reality of each day, so it’s only fair I share this too.
“We set out with sacks of food and 200 meals for each patient. as we distributed it to each ward I’ll never forget what I saw. people laying on metal bed frames, torn mattresses, some on the floor.”
Gurlaine added: “Kids severely underweight. newborn babies not knowing they now exist in a world that is so unfair. the elderly left there frail and lonely.
“These patients get one government meal a day, usually some grains. that’s not enough on a normal day, let alone when you’re unwell. I don’t share my feelings for sympathy, I share with the hope people watching realise how lucky they are, how privileged we all are and how AMAZING our NHS is. count each day as a blessing.”
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Gurlaine exited EastEnders in January with Ash leaving Albert Square suddenly after discovering her mum Suki Panesar had been sleeping with ex-fling Peter Beale.
The Panesar family matriarch then once again shunned her daughter for her sexuality – prompting Ash to leave Walford.
Gurlaine has not confirmed if the exit is permanent.
Last year she spoke to Inside Soap about her excitement at playing the part since she joined the cast in 2019.
(Image: gurlainekaurgarcha / Instagram)
She said: “It’s still surreal! I’ve been on the show for over a year, and continue to have moments where I think, ‘I can’t believe I’m here’.
“You get actors who want to go to Hollywood, but genuinely, my dream was to be in Walford with the likes of Jake Wood (Max) and Adam Woodyatt (Ian). And now, my castmates are like a second family.
“When I auditioned for EastEnders, I said to my Taekwondo instructor that I can really relate to Ash.
“She’s strong, kind, has her head screwed on and knows what she wants. Ash isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and I think that’s great.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
