Mike Swann

Name: Mike Swann
First Appeared: 26th September 2005
Last Appeared: 10th March 2006
Played by: Mark Wingett

Mike Swann’s return to Albert Square was nothing short of a rollercoaster. The ex-husband of Rosie Miller and father to Mickey Miller and Dawn Swann, Mike had a history of deserting his family, leaving when Dawn was six and Mickey was three. Years later, Dawn tracked him down and went to live with him in France. But Mike’s reappearance in Walford in September 2005 stirred up quite the commotion.

Dawn sent Mickey a postcard from Paris, inviting him for a visit without mentioning their dad. Mickey brought Gus Smith, Juley Smith, Garry Hobbs, and Minty Peterson along for the trip. True to his conman nature, Mike exposed Juley as a fellow scammer and swindled Minty out of his life savings before fleeing. However, guilt got the better of him, and he returned the money to Mickey, sending Dawn back to Walford with him while he set off for his next scheme.

Christmas Day 2005 saw Mike arriving in Walford following his mother Nora Swann’s illness. Dawn persuaded him to stay at the Millers’ house after he revealed he was penniless. Keith Miller wasn’t thrilled about it and tried to get rid of him. Mike found and stole a large sum of money hidden in the old sofa, suggesting a new one was needed. The old sofa was burnt, and the family believed the money was destroyed. Mike later found a job managing Johnny Allen’s nightclub, Scarlet, and rekindled feelings for Rosie, who almost left Keith for him before backing out. Once again, Mike left Walford alone, abandoning his children.

Mike’s final scam involved getting Dawn to pose as Rosie to claim £5000 left by Nora. He convinced Dawn that they would start a new life in Spain with Rosie, but he had only booked a one-way ticket for himself. The truth was revealed just before he was about to leave, and despite everything, Rosie gave him the money on the condition he never returned. Mike Swann left the Square, true to his character—a conman always on the lookout for his next hustle.