Jo Joyner reveals the real reason behind her shock Eastenders comeback
The actress, who has played Tanya on and off since 2006, revealed she couldn't resist a goodbye to her on-screen family as Lauren and Abi Branning prepare to bow out of the soap
EASTENDERS star Jo Joyner has spoken out about her surprise Christmas return to Walford.
Jo, who plays feisty Tanya Cross on the BBC soap, made a comeback in epic fashion across the Christmas period as her character made an effort to save her kids from the hands of her unhinged ex, Max Branning.
Now, as her on-screen daughters prepare to leave the soap, Jo revealed that she felt she had to return to reunite the Brannings one last time before their time on the Square is over.
Speaking to the Radio Times, the 40-year-old actress said: "I feel protective of my screen family and genuinely responsible for them.
"When I thought that the girls might be leaving, I felt I should be there for them.”
Lorna Fitzgerald and Jaqueline Jossa have played Tanya and Max’s daughters Abi and Lauren for close to a decade – with Lorna being on the show since 2006 and Jacqueline replacing the original Lauren in 2010.
"I’ve watched Lorna grow from a 10-year-old sweetie into a beautiful and talented woman,” Jo praised. “Jacqueline has been such a pleasure to work with and I love her to bits. I couldn’t say no to being involved in their exit stories."
Tanya’s return to the Square hasn’t been a happy reunion – as she was left helpless as both daughters fell from the roof of the Queen Vic while trying to save their troubled father from jumping.
Miraculously, both survived the horror fall, but for how long for remains to be seen.
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On Boxing Day, Tanya and Max were waiting to hear the pair’s fate – as Lauren suffered a bleed during surgery and a brain scan on a pregnant Abi potentially revealed something devastating.
Max was originally arrested for pushing the pair – but a mysterious guardian angel stepped in to save him after filming the horror drop on their phone and proving his innocence.
However, as Max got to the hospital, a nurse told the couple to sit down to prepare them for some bad news, viewers are now having to wait until tonight to discover their state.
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