Jacqueline Jossa to return to EastEnders as Lauren Branning

In a statement from Jossa shared by the BBC, she said: "I’m really excited! It’s such an amazing time to be back as there is so much buzz around EastEnders at the moment, and I’ve been watching and loving it like a fan. Walford holds such a special place in my heart, so it really does feel like coming home."

It is understood that Jossa will begin filming with the soap next month, meaning we can likely expect her back on screen ahead of the big Christmas episodes.

Meanwhile, executive producer Chris Clenshaw commented: "I’m delighted to welcome Jaqueline back to the role of Lauren Branning. Although we only saw Lauren on-screen a few months ago, her return left plenty of unfinished business between her and the Beales."

Clenshaw added: "The Branning family have a long history of being at the heart of the drama in Walford, and we’re absolutely thrilled to have Jacqueline back in the Square as she continues that family tradition."

Jossa originally played Lauren Branning for eight years between 2010 and 2018 after joining the cast as a teenager, and her return will no doubt be enthusiastically welcomed by fans of the soap.

Lauren was last seen on-screen in June in a special episode set in France that followed the return of Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and Peter Beale (Thomas Law).

In that episode, Lauren was tempted to reignite her romance with Peter - the father of her son Louie.

However, when the secret of Cindy's survival was revealed, Lauren rejected the Beales and departed with her son.

Will her return spell a reconciliation between Peter and Lauren?

Plus, does this mean we could see Lauren's troublesome father Max Branning (Jake Wood) make a reappearance?

Read more:

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• EastEnders casts Ravi Gulati's long lost love - and his secret daughter
• 6 EastEnders spoilers: Nugget goes missing
• EastEnders’ Lacey Turner reveals new Christmas murder mystery theory
• EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer. Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers.

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