EastEnders pregnancy bombshell rocks struggling mum – as she lashes out at her son
A STRUGGLING mum is set to lash out at her son in upcoming EastEnders scenes - after receiving a pregnancy bombshell.
The residents of Albert Square are no strangers to experiencing pregnancy drama.
Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) is already mum to young son Louie.
However, in scenes yet to air, Lauren's life is set to be turned upside down.
While struggling with pain, she lashes out at boyfriend Peter (Thomas Law) over childcare issues and then snaps at Louie.
Tearfully, she then admits to not coping and says she has booked a GP appointment.
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While there, Lauren learns her pain medication is being reduced and she can't have another presecription.
Later, she discusses her symptoms with Anna Knight (Molly Rainford).
After hearing a description, Anna starts to wonder if Lauren might be pregnant.
In The Vic toilets, Lauren does a pregnancy test -- and it's positive.
It comes as viewers previously predicted a "dark twist" ahead for the long-time character.
Across her time in the soap, Lauren's battled alcoholism, run over her dad Max (Jake Wood) and had various romantic relationships.
In August, the character was among several caught up in the club crush at Peggy's.
A doctor revealed she suffered a chest wall injury, broken ribs and a damaged lung.
Viewers feared she would develop an addiction to medication while alleviating her physical pain.
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."
Lauren Branning's biggest EastEnders storylines
Since debuting in 2006, Lauren Branning's had her fair share of drama in Albert Square.
She's been played by two actresses - originally Madeline Duggan and then Jacqueline Jossa from 2010 onwards.
Let's take a look back at some of Lauren's biggest EastEnders storylines.
- Who ran over Max?: Early on in Lauren's tenure, the soap had a whodunnit which saw Max (Jake Wood) run over by an unknown driver. It was later revealed that Lauren, his daughter, was the culprit.
- Friendships with Lucy Beale and Whitney Dean: Throughout her teenage years, Lauren developed close friendships with both Lucy and Whitney. Both bonds would have ramifications for her later life. She had a son with Lucy's twin brother Peter and also had an affair with Zack (James Farrar) - Whitney's fiancee - prompting her to leave the Square for good.
- Alcoholism: Lauren began binge drinking to cope with stress from her mum Tanya (Jo Joyner) battling cancer. This later expanded into a long-term addiction storyline.
- Relationship with Joey Branning: In 2012, Lauren embarked on one of her more controversial storylines - a sexual relationship with Joey Branning (David Witts), her first cousin.
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.
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"I’m wondering if a storyline will kick in with Lauren having complications from the accident."
EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer.