BBC EastEnders legend hints at comeback after shock axing

SOAP viewers were thrilled to see Lauren Branning return to Walford for Dot Cotton’s funeral.

Since then, former EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa revealed she was “not ready to let go” of her role in the BBC One soap just yet.

BBC

Many familiar faces have left Albert Square[/caption]

BBC

But Jacqueline Jossa decided to return for a special episode[/caption]

PA:Press Association

Five years after her exit, the actress revealed she was open to come back[/caption]

The 30-year-old has left the door wide open for a potential return to Albert Square, five years after her exit scenes were aired.

Jacqueline portrayed her character between 2010 and 2018, leaving the long-running drama before taking part in the nineteenth series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

She was crowned “Queen of the Jungle” in November, 2019, when she won the show and has kept herself more or less out of the spotlight ever since.

But speaking of her brief return to the London-based soap in December, 2022, Jacqueline teased her potential return to the set.

At the time, Jacqueline was one of multiple soap stars to come back for Dot Cotton’s funeral – a tribute to the late chain-smoking Walford legend June Brown, who passed away months prior.

“I loved being back on set, although it was bittersweet because we were filming such sad scenes and June was such an amazing part of EastEnders”, she said.

“At the same time, it was beautiful and special. June would have loved it. She was hilarious and she would no doubt have said something funny about it, but she’d have been really proud and happy.”

Being back in Albert Square, as she admitted, made Jacqueline realise “just how much [she] missed all the people.”

“I was really grateful that I was asked to come back for it. I went back in a heartbeat, there was no question of whether or not I would.”

“I hadn’t realised just how much I missed all the people. It quickly felt like home being back at the set and it had a real family feel. That place just has such a big place in my heart.”

Viewers have recently had to wave goodbye to multiple familiar faces which include Mick Carter actor Danny Dyer and Charlie Brooks aka Janine Butcher.

While both of their futures on the show remain uncertain – particularly as Linda Carter is due to get news from the famous Walford villain – could Jacqueline Jossa be enticed into reprising her role?

EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm.

Handout

Jacqueline played the role of Lauren Branning from 2010 to 2018[/caption]

BBC

She is open to reprise her role[/caption]