Jacqueline Jossa ‘has returned to the EastEnders to reprise her role as Lauren Branning’… four years after she left the soap
Jacqueline Jossa reportedly returned to the set of EastEnders last week to film a guest appearance on the show.
The 29-year-old actress landed the role of Lauren Branning on the soap opera back in 2010 before ditching the character in 2018.
But she may be set for a return to Albert Square as she is believed to be reprising the role for a special tribute episode commemorating the late June Brown – where they will be showing a funeral for her character Dot Cotton.
Back again? Acqueline Jossa, 29, ‘has returned to the EastEnders to reprise her role as Lauren Branning’… four years after she left the soap
According to The Sun, the actress traveled to EastEnders’ Elstree Studios last week to film the scenes – and revealed she was “more than happy” to be back.
A source told the publication, “The bosses got in touch with Jacq to return for Dot’s special and she was more than happy to come back. She was back last week to film her little cameo.’
While they also reported that a “horse-drawn hearse with Dot’s name in a floral tribute” was seen being brought onto the set.
Web have contacted representatives for Jacqueline Jossa, while EastEnders representatives declined to comment.
Reprisals: According to The Sun, the actress went to EastEnders’ Elstree Studios to film the scenes last week – and revealed she was ‘more than happy’ to return
Tribute: She is believed to be reprising the role for a special tribute episode in memory of the late June Brown – where they will be showing a funeral for her character Dot Cotton (June Brown, pictured in 1997).
June died in April of this year at the age of 95, and tributes to the popular actor have poured in from the soap world and television in general.
She played the role of Dot for 35 years and was part of the Branning clan after marrying the character Jim Branning in 2002, which would make her Lauren’s step-grandmother.
And in memory of the actress, EastEnders have reportedly penned a “beautiful” script to pay tribute to the special episode.
The source continued to The Sun: “The EastEnders bosses are pulling out all the stops to show how much June was loved by the cast and crew.
Long term: Jacqueline landed the role of Lauren Branning on the soap back in 2010 before leaving the character in 2018 (pictured during her stint as Lauren Branning).
Ready for it: And it’s no surprise that Jacqueline would be ready to return, having previously revealed that she’d ‘obviously’ like to return
“She was a huge part of EastEnders and her legacy will live on forever in Albert Square. She will never be forgotten.’
And it’s no surprise that Jacqueline would be ready to return, having previously revealed that she’d “obviously” like to return.
On screen, Lauren left the show following the death of her sister Abi Branning as she took off from Walford to start a new life in New Zealand.
The actress has previously said she would need her screen family, including father Max Branning (Jake Wood), to return if she did too (LR) Lorna Fitzgerald as Abi Branning, Jake Wood as Max Branning and Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren
But she admitted she’s excited to see where her character’s story might go next, telling her 3.5 million Instagram followers last year that she would only return if her father, Max Branning (Jake Wood), who was on the screen, it did.
“The timing has to be right. It would only happen if all the Brannings came back at the same time. So EastEnders must want us all back.’
Jacqueline spoke openly earlier this year about struggling with money after leaving the soap and admitted she was forced to sell her house at the time.
But things picked up a year later when she won “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.”
The only way is up; Jacqueline won “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here” just a year after leaving the soap opera.