EastEnders star Barbara Smith looks worlds away from character Dana in glam Instagram pics

SHE plays the shy and understated Dana Monroe on EastEnders, but in real life actress Barbara Smith couldn’t be more different.

The 24-year-old, who joined the BBC One soap last year, leads a very glamorous life and often treats her fans to an insight.

While her character is usually covered up in demure outfits, Dana likes to experiment with her looks and often poses in minidresses.

Other images show her looking incredible in her bikini on exotic holidays or partying with pals on nights out.

Barbara’s character has been involved in an on/off romance with Bobby Beale since she joined the soap.

The couple are currently broken up after Bobby discovered Dana’s brother Aaron had attempted a far right terrorist attack on the mosque.

The actress – who is a huge fan of the soap – previously enjoyed a very brief cameo on EastEnders in 2019 before joining full time.

Barbara previously explained that she “played a girl named Ellie who sold Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield) some dodgy medication”, which led to Bex’s dramatic overdose storyline.

“I felt as if I was stepping into my TV when I first walked on to the set and it was one of those moments where I had to pinch myself,” she told Inside Soap.

“I was obsessed with EastEnders as a kid, and it’s especially surreal if I ever see Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey.

“The reveal of Max and Stacey’s affair, followed by Bradley [Branning] later falling from the roof of the Queen Vic was my favourite storyline ever.”