EXCLUSIVE: EastEnders Lauren Branning has made a shock return to the soap – but it seems she’s not the only Branning member who could be making a comeback to Walford after time away
BBC EastEnders Branning icon return 'confirmed' after Lauren – and it’s not Max
EastEnders could be set to welcome back Tanya Branning after daughter Lauren made her return to the BBC soap.
Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) returned to screens on Monday (January 1) after a six-year-absence. Viewers saw the character has relocated to Paris with her son Louis – who she shares with Peter Beale (Thomas Law).
In France, she joined her cousin Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine) – but in the latest instalment she started to miss her ex Peter. Lauren then decided to head back to Walford.
Penny quickly agreed to join Lauren – but things took a sinister turn when she was approached by a mystery woman. It was then revealed that Penny had to transport drugs back to the UK.
The drugs were planted in Lauren’s bag, and after heading to the airport sniffer dogs sussed out to the package. And in a shocking twist, Lauren was then arrested by police.Now, it’s been claimed that Lauren’s mum Tanya (Jo Joyner) could be in for a shock return to the soap too. Jo played the iconic Tanya Branning on the soap on and off between 2006 and 2018.
As the wife of infamous womaniser Max Branning (Jake Wood) Tanya was a part of several hard-hitting storylines. Including the iconic 2007 Christmas Day episode and trying to bury her ex-hubby alive.
But after her turbulent marriage to Max came to an end, Tanya left the famous square in 2013. She said her goodbyes to start a new life in Exeter.
Although she briefly returned in 2018, fans are keen for Jo to make a return to the soap. And now AI reckons the blonde bombshell could be heading back amid Lauren’s brush with the law.
Daily Star has quizzed super smart bot Bard AI to see if Tanya could return to Walford. The program responded: “Lauren Branning’s return to EastEnders could definitely open the door for Tanya’s comeback.”
Bard AI then noted: “It’s always possible that the writers could surprise us with a sudden reappearance in the future.”
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As for the reasons why, the system claimed she could return following Lauren’s arrest. Bard AI said: “As Lauren’s mother, Tanya’s protective instincts would likely kick in, prompting her return to support her daughter during this difficult time.”
The program then noted how Tanya may have “unfinished business.” It explained: “Tanya’s last appearance in 2018 showed her struggling with Abi’s death. Perhaps Lauren’s arrest could bring her back to Walford to confront her past and find closure.”
