Jacqueline Jossa reveals she’s making explosive return to EastEnders five years after quitting soap

JACQUELINE Jossa is set to make an explosive return “home” to EastEnders, the Sun on Sunday can reveal.

The 30-year-old actress will reprise her role full time as Lauren Branning after leaving the BBC1 soap five years ago.

The show favourite made a brief return to Albert Square last December for soap legend Dot Cotton’s funeral and also an unannounced guest appearance in June.  

Jacqueline told The Sun on Sunday: “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.”

Jacqueline’s storyline is set to be stormy as her character becomes entangled with back-from-the-dead Cindy Beale, played by Michelle Collins.

Our exclusive photo shows her secret return to the famous set at Elstree, Herts, where she will begin filming in the next few weeks.

A telly source said: “Jacqueline’s return as Lauren Branning is going to spell lots of drama in Albert Square.

“The character has a lot of history and scores to settle, she is definitely going to bring the drama.

“Bosses are staying tight-lipped about when fans will see her return on-screen.

“But it’s set to be around the end of the year and likely to coincide with the soap’s legendary festive storylines.

“Her old castmates can’t wait to start filming with her too as she’s such a pro and has a great sense of humour.”

The show’s executive producer Chris Clenshaw revealed he planned to use Jacqueline’s return to boost the family drama that the soap is renowned for.

He exclusively told The Sun on Sunday said: “I’m delighted to welcome Jacqueline back to the role of Lauren Branning.

“We only saw Lauren on-screen a few of months ago, but her return left plenty of unfinished business between her and the Beales.

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

Jacqueline was 17 when she joined the soap in 2010 and gritty and shocking storylines included her playing an alcoholic and falling from the roof of a building on Christmas Day with her sister Abi, who died.

She then left the soap in 2018.

During her hiatus from the soap Jacqueline was crowned Queen of the Jungle on I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here in 2019.

Since then she has struck a £1million deal with In The Style clothing brand  and signed a money-spinning campaign with Hot Diamonds jewellery retailer.

Jacqueline has two daughters — Ella, eight, and Mia, five — with ex Towie star Dan Osborne, 32, who she wed six years ago.

She also runs a drama school, The Jac Jossa Academy, in South East London.

Speaking about her desire to go back to Walford earlier this year, she told the Soap From The Box podcast: “I won the Jungle and have done things like that.

“But I get people shouting Lauren at me the most out of everything. People still care about her.

“I would 100 per cent put the leather jacket back on and the boots and get going, because it’s the best job in the world, and it’s still my dream job.”

She also revealed  that her brief one-episode stint last year “lit a fire”.

She added: “I was nervous, but I was literally like, ‘I could stay here forever. I love it.’

“I’ve realised that’s where I am my happiest, and my passion and enjoyment comes from that side of things.

“Since going back to EastEnders, I’ve had that little fire in my belly again, like there is that part of me that isn’t fulfilled any more, that creative side.”

The show has been enjoying a high lately, scooping a host of awards, including Best Soap at the National Television Awards, the British Soap Awards and Inside Soap Awards.

It also received high praise for its moving terminal brain tumour storyline starring Danielle Harold, 31.

Her character Lola Pearce tragically passed away on screen earlier this year.

The year has also seen some shock casting revelations from the soap including Shona McGarty’s exit and the return of Adam Woodyatt.

Last year Jacqueline revealed she was forced to sell her house after leaving Albert Square.

She said of the BBC soap: “It was my comfort blanket, it was what I knew. Then it just wasn’t. There’s no such thing for me as maternity pay.

“Before I went in the jungle, I was struggling with money.

“I had to sell my house. And then I went in the jungle and had amazing opportunities.”

HER FIVE BEST ENDER BITS

2012: Lauren falls for Joey Branning, her first cousin and uncle Derek’s son. When mum Tanya finds out, Derek breaks them up.

2013: She is rushed to hospital and told she has hepatitis.
Lauren had started binge drinking after Tanya developed cancer.

2014: When Lucy Beale was murdered, Lauren was a suspect. It was later revealed that half-brother Bobby Beale killed her.

2014: She embarks on an affair with recovering alcoholic Jake Stone after the pair meet each other at a counselling session.

2017: Lauren and sister Abi both fall off the roof while trying to talk dad Max out of suicide. Lauren survives but Abi dies in hospital.

Shona sparkler

SHONA McGarty has sparked rumours she is engaged to marry her new boyfriend – just months after getting together.

The actress, 31 — Whitney Dean on ’Enders — was seen with it while acting as a bridesmaid for her sister.

She is dating Irish musician David Bracken.