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EASTENDERS viewers have 'worked out' a dark twist for Lauren Branning after catching a worrying detail.

The character - played by Jacqueline Jossa - was one of several caught up in August's club crush at Peggy's.

EastEnders fans are predicting a dark twist for Lauren Branning
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EastEnders fans are predicting a dark twist for Lauren BranningCredit: BBC
Lauren was among several people caught up in Peggy's club crush back in August
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Lauren was among several people caught up in Peggy's club crush back in AugustCredit: BBC
She shares a young son, Louie, with Peter Beale
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She shares a young son, Louie, with Peter BealeCredit: BBC

Weeks on, fans are are predicting a troubling time ahead for Lauren.

A doctor previously revealed she had suffered a chest wall injury, broken ribs and a damaged lung.

That being said, Lauren has appeared to have recovered since the crush.

Viewers fear she will develop an addiction to medication while alleviating her physical pain.

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The character has battled alcohol addiction in previous years.

Taking to X, one wrote: "When the pain starts again, we’ll give you more” – anyone else seeing a prescription painkiller addiction in Lauren’s future?! #EastEnders."

Another penned: "Pain killer addiction definitely and with her liver from drinking i don’t think it’s the best move."

A third person chimed in: "I’m wondering if an incident is going to happen with Lauren.

"That crush at Peggy’s has been weeks and weeks ago and she’s a couple of times creased in pain.

"I’m wondering if a storyline will kick in with Lauren having complications from the accident."

During the chaos, Lauren found a way out after breaking through a locked office door.

EastEnders fans convinced iconic character is set to return after on-screen daughter drops huge hint

As it opened, she saw Cindy (Michelle Collins), her son Louie's grandmother, standing on the other side,

However, Lauren was completely unaware that Cindy was continuing her affair with Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) at that moment.

After falling down, Lauren was trampled on as people piled out in a panic.

She wasn't the only one who didn't walk away unscathed.

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEndersEmmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock...

  • EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) - Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.
  • Emmerdale: Holly's drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) - In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale's first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.
  • Hollyoaks: Luke's rape (2000) - Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs - who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.
  • Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) - Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.
  • Lauren's cousin Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) also ended up with serious injuries.

    The teenager suffered a terrifying cardiac arrest as a result of her panic. 

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    She was also left with a broken pelvis, having been crushed by several other people.

    EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.

    Amy Mitchell was also badly injured in the crush
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    Amy Mitchell was also badly injured in the crushCredit: BBC
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