EastEnders star breaks silence on Lauren Branning return

EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa has broken her silence on Lauren Branning's return to Walford.

The former I'm a Celebrity star is reprising her EastEnders role as Lauren as part of the show's send-off to Dot Branning, which will also feature Lord Michael Cashman, Gary Hailes, Jan Graveson and Linda Davidson all returning to the show.

Ahead of these scenes airing, Jossa has spoken about what it's like to be back on the Square more than four years after she departed the show.

"I was really nervous because, no matter what, it’s always such a big thing to be at EastEnders," she said. "But when I got there, it didn’t feel like anything had changed. It just felt like being back at home. The two episodes are very emotional from top to bottom because there are so many layers."

sonia fowler, lauren branning, eastenders

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The actress added: "She’s still the same old Lauren, but maybe grown up a little bit! I think she’ll be able to provide some updates about other members of the Branning family! Hopefully, Lauren coming home is something positive and light. Obviously, Lauren is upset to lose Grandma Dot, but it’s a bittersweet feeling to be back."

Jossa mentioned that EastEnders' send-off for late co-star June Brown is something she'd "hoped" to be part of since it was announced earlier in the year.

"June deserves the send-off she’s going to get at EastEnders, and I wanted to be a part of that and be involved," she said.

"It was nice to be there to represent that side of the Branning family because there are family members always off gallivanting and doing different things."

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Adding that it was "so good" to learn from June in their years together, Jacqueline explained: "I was always so lucky to work with the best of the bunch. I was like a sponge, and everyone I worked with, like Jo Joyner (Tanya), Jake Wood (Max), and June, were massive inspirations in my life.

"They were so good at their job that it was crazy. I learned pretty much everything from them."

She held back on sharing her favourite moment with June, joking: "None that I can share because she was so cheeky! That’s what’s lovely because those who know her have this link that if you knew June and what she was really like.

"June was always so kind. Lauren called her character Dot, but June always made sure it was ‘Grandma Dot’. Everyone always listened to June - the choices she made were always right, and she was brilliant."