Jacqueline Jossa’s BBC EastEnders return ‘not a flying visit’ as Lauren Branning ‘back for good’
The 30-year old has made a couple of cameo appearances in Albert Square in the last 12 months, but this time she has reassured her fans the comeback is permanent
Jacqueline Jossa has opened up on her emotional return to EastEnders in a permanent capacity as she prepares to reprise her Lauren Branning role.
The 30-year old rose to fame on the BBC1 soap in 2010 and soon went on to star in her own Internet spin-off series, Lauren’s Diaries. She was axed from Albert Square in 2018 alongside on-screen sister Abi (played by Lorna Fitzgerald), however, but remained in the public eye and was crowned I’m A Celebrity’s ‘Queen of the Jungle’ a year later.
Mother-of-two Jacqueline has made a couple of flitting returns to Walford in the past year, meanwhile, attending her grandmother Dot Cotton’s funeral in December and reuniting with Peter Beale in a special episode in June. Now, Jacqueline has reassured her fans that this time she is back for good in a live Q&A session with her Instagram followers.
The 30-year old was previously written out of Albert Square in 2018 (
BBC / Jack Barnes)
“I haven’t actually come on at all and spoken about the fact I am going back to EastEnders. How wild is that?” she told her 3.6 million fans on the platform. “I haven’t spoken about it at all. It’s as permanent as anyone there is permanent,” she explained. “Obviously, you can get written out at any time but yeah, it’s not a flying visit this time, it’s back back.
“I think it’s been so good recently. I’m actually worried to come back and ruin it.” Announcing her comeback last month, Jacqueline declared: “I’m really excited. It’s such an amazing time to be back as there is so much buzz around EastEnders at the moment. I’ve been watching and loving it like a fan. Walford holds a special place in my heart, so it really does feel like coming home.”
Naturally, the news was met with joy from scores of fans, with one commenting on Instagram at the time: “You don’t understand how much this return means to us, unbelievably excited!” Another added: “The best news! EastEnders just keep raising the bar. There is no end to its brilliance. Incredible.” A third wrote: “I am so happy and will start watching again if you’re back in it! Love this news!! Good luck!! xx.” And a fourth said: “My favourite of all time, so glad they’ve brought her back! Fabulous actress.”
Earlier this month, Jacqueline’s husband, Dan Osborne, told the Mirror the “time was right” for her return. “She loves it,” he said. “She’s excited to go back, she can’t wait. For a long time, she was worried Lauren was going to get written back into it, but now she is excited to go back. The time is right now for her so it’s good.”
