Lauren Branning - wikipedia Lauren Branning Lauren Branning Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning ( 2013 ) EastEnders character Portrayed by Madeline Duggan ( 2006 -- 2010 ) Jacqueline Jossa ( 2010 -- 2017 ) Duration 2006 -- 2017 First appearance Episode 3180 3 July 2006 ( 2006 - 07 - 03 ) Created by Kate Harwood Introduced by Kate Harwood ( 2006 ) Bryan Kirkwood ( 2010 ) Spin - off appearances Lauren 's Diaries ( 2010 -- 2012 ) Classification Present ; regular ( departing ) Profile Occupation Student Market trader Beautician Company director Waitress Website designer Family Family Branning Father Max Branning Mother Tanya Branning Stepfather Greg Jessop ( 2011 -- 2012 ) Brothers Oscar Branning Sisters Abi Branning Half - brothers Bradley Branning Sons Louie Beale Grandfathers Jim Branning Grandmothers Cora Cross Uncles Derek Branning Jack Branning Aunts Carol Jackson Suzy Branning Rainie Cross Ava Hartman First cousins Joey Branning Alice Branning Bianca Jackson Robbie Jackson Sonia Fowler Billie Jackson Amy Mitchell Ricky Mitchell Dexter Hartman Other relatives Liam Butcher Tiffany Butcher Morgan Butcher Sami Jackson Rebecca Fowler Lauren Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. She first appeared on 3 July 2006 played by Madeline Duggan, was absent from 23 June to 27 September 2010, and returned as played by Jacqueline Jossa. In August 2014, Jossa announced that she was expecting her first child. In December 2014, Jossa filmed her final scenes prior to taking maternity leave, which aired on 24 February 2015, following the show 's 30th anniversary celebrations. She returned temporarily on 14 September 2015 for her father 's murder trial before departing again on 2 October 2015. Lauren made a permanent return on 27 May 2016. In September 2017, it was announced that Jossa and Lorna Fitzgerald, who plays Lauren 's sister Abi, had been axed by creative director John Yorke, with Lauren and Abi set to depart during the Christmas period. Her storylines have included running over her father Max Branning ( Jake Wood ), alcoholism, supporting her mother Tanya Branning ( Jo Joyner ) through cervical cancer, her friendships with Lucy Beale ( Melissa Suffield / Hetti Bywater ) and Whitney Dean ( Shona McGarty ), a relationship with her cousin Joey Branning ( David Witts ), an affair with a married alcoholic Jake Stone ( Jamie Lomas ), engagement to Peter Beale ( Ben Hardy ), struggling to deal with Lucy 's murder, giving birth to Peter 's son Louie, a relationship with Steven Beale ( Aaron Sidwell ) following the ending of her relationship with Peter, becoming attracted to Max 's boss Josh Hemmings ( Eddie Eyre ) who also becomes her own boss and having an abortion after becoming pregnant by Steven. Contents 1 Storylines 2 Creation and development 2.1 Casting and characterisation 2.2 Recast 2.3 Storyline development 2.4 Alcoholism 2.5 Relationship with Joey Branning 2.6 Departure 3 Lauren 's Diaries 4 Reception 5 See also 6 References 7 External links Storylines The eldest child and daughter of Max Branning ( Jake Wood ) and Tanya Branning ( Jo Joyner ), Lauren moves to Walford with her parents and younger sister, Abi Branning ( Lorna Fitzgerald ) in July 2006. In 2007, Lauren uncovers an affair between her father and half - brother Bradley Branning 's ( Charlie Clements ) fiancée, Stacey Slater ( Lacey Turner ), after accidentally filming them kissing on her video camera. Lauren burns the footage onto a DVD, which is played on Christmas Day, exposing Max and Stacey 's affair to the Brannings, and resulting in the breakdown of Lauren 's parents ' marriage. Originally romantically involved with Peter Beale ( Thomas Law ), her best friend Lucy Beale 's ( Melissa Suffield ) twin brother, Max disapproves of their relationship, and after ordering Peter to end the romance, throttles him after he retaliates when they have a secret meeting in the cafe. Shortly after, Max is left comatose following a planned hit - and - run. It is ultimately revealed that Lauren is the culprit, but Tanya decides to confess to the crime, and is imprisoned, pleading guilty to attempted murder. This distresses Lauren, who reveals her intentions to spare her mother facing a jail sentence. Lauren is later found guilty of GBH with intent, and is sentenced to two years under supervision. In 2008, Lauren finds herself being groomed by paedophile Tony King ( Chris Coghill ), stepfather to her best friend, Whitney Dean ( Shona McGarty ), with whom he is having a sexual relationship. When Tony 's paedophilia is revealed, Lauren is shocked after learning that she was about to become Tony 's next victim. Lauren dumps Peter after he lies to his friends, claiming that he and Lauren had a sexual experience in the allotments. However, the couple plan a reunion and Lauren tells him she is ready to have sex, but Max bans Peter from seeing Lauren, uncovering their main intentions. Lauren later moves away from Walford when her father gets into debt, leading to the family 's possessions being taken by bailiffs. She returns to Walford briefly at Christmas, and dumps Peter again before seeing him kissing Zsa Zsa Carter ( Emer Kenny ), resulting in a catfight between her, Zsa Zsa and Whitney. She later attends Bradley 's funeral after he falls from the roof of The Queen Victoria pub ( The Vic ), after he attempts to flee Walford when the police accuse him of murdering Archie Mitchell ( Larry Lamb ). She also celebrates her sixteenth birthday at a party in R&R nightclub, where her uncle Jack Branning ( Scott Maslen ) is shot by Kylie ( Elarica Gallacher ) After attending Abi 's birthday dinner, Lauren informs her father that she is leaving Walford to spend the summer at a summer camp in the United States, departing Walford in June. Lauren ( now played by Jacqueline Jossa ) returns from America earlier than expected, after being expelled from school for smoking cannabis. She reveals that she is seeing a new boyfriend, Edward Brooks ( Luke Striffler ), but he splits up with her as a result of the long - distance. Lauren attends her cousin Billie Jackson 's ( Devon Anderson ) birthday party and as a present, she gives him alcohol, which he quickly drinks, and he is found dead of alcohol poisoning on the settee the following morning. Billie 's mother, Carol ( Lindsey Coulson ) later attacks Lauren, stating that she encouraged Billie to get more and more drunk. Lauren later believes that her father was responsible for Archie 's murder, after he tells her that Bradley was not the culprit and she notes his violent tendencies when he angrily confronts Jay Brown ( Jamie Borthwick ) after he makes crude sexual remarks to Lauren after she rejects his attempts at propositioning her. Lauren confronts her father, who tells her that he is not the killer but knows who is ; after witnessing her father and Stacey together, Lauren realises that Stacey is the killer, and tricks a confession out of her, which she tapes on her mobile phone. Lauren threatens to go the police, but agrees to keep quiet after discovering that Archie raped Stacey. However, on Christmas Day, Lauren hands Janine Butcher ( Charlie Brooks ) the recording, leading to Stacey fleeing Walford after Janine exposes her as the killer. Lauren develops a crush on Whitney 's half - brother Ryan Malloy ( Neil McDermott ) and he later succumbs, having a passionate encounter with Lauren. The pair begin an affair however the relationship become under threat when Tanya uncovers the romance. Her relationship with Ryan later ends when he flees Walford after killing Rob Grayson ( Jody Latham ), who had been sexually exploiting Whitney for financial gain. Upon discovering Max and Tanya are having an affair, despite Tanya now being married to Greg Jessop ( Stefan Booth ), Lauren threatens to kill Max unless the affair ends, but it secretly continues. The affair is soon exposed, causing Max to leave Walford. Lauren is angered by her mother 's actions originally, but is devastated that Tanya has been diagnosed with cervical cancer. Lauren promises to support Tanya, but struggles to cope with her mother 's illness. She starts consuming alcohol to excess and almost ends Darren Miller ( Charlie G. Hawkins ) and Jodie Gold 's ( Kylie Babbington ) engagement by having sex with Darren in the car lot - hours before their wedding. She also casually dates Tyler Moon ( Tony Discipline ) until realising Whitney is still in love with him. Max later returns to Walford, and when Lauren uncovers that Tanya has stopped her treatment, begs Max to stay, eventually revealing her illness to him, prompting Max to remain in Walford. Lauren 's rebellion continues, and after she becomes increasingly drunk at Pat Evans ' ( Pam St. Clement ) funeral, she is berated by her parents, and given a private consultation with a GP. Lauren withdraws from school, and is employed by her father at the car lot. She resumes consuming alcohol and attempts to conceal this from her parents. Her drinking is so heavy that Lucy tells her to return home but Lauren ignores her and insists that she is fine. Lucy loses her and she is found passed out in the street. Lauren tells her parents her drink was spiked before stating she is mature enough to make decisions. She then decides to move out. On her 18th birthday, a drunken Lauren belatedly arrives at a family party, organised by Tanya. After being sick, Lauren admits to her parents that she is uncontrollable and promises not to drink excessively anymore. She later moves back home after not being able to cope with laziness of her housemates. Lauren and Lucy ( now played by Hetti Bywater ) go on a night out where a drunken Lauren shares a kiss with a stranger, Dan, who drags her into his car. After Lucy manages to drag her out of the car, the pair argue and Lauren storms off. Lucy finds her unconscious and takes her to hospital, however, they become separated again when Lauren discharges herself from hospital. Lauren returns home to find Lucy has already confessed everything to Max, Tanya and Ian. Angry, Lauren argues with her family and leaves, meeting up with Dan. After she rejects his advances, Lauren goes to Lucy 's home and Lucy tells her that she does not want anything more to do with her. Lauren meets her estranged cousin Joey Branning ( David Witts ) and becomes attracted to him. Her friendship with Lucy begins to improve after Lucy 's father disappears and Lauren helps to find him. Joey and Lucy start seeing one another but Lauren discovers that Joey had cheated on her with Whitney, and urges her to tell Lucy. Lucy ends the relationship and the three girls take revenge by handcuffing him to playground equipment. Lauren decides to free him so he does not lose his job, and he tells her she is jealous that she did not get a kiss, so she slaps him. Joey is working at R&R when he sees Lauren flirting with a group of men causing him to throw them out and take Lauren home. Lauren drunkenly kisses Joey but he rejects her. The following day, Joey explains that the only reason he rejected her was as she was intoxicated and they briefly kiss again. Lauren realises she can not be with her cousin, so resists. Eventually, sexual tension mounts between them and they start a secret relationship. Joey 's father Derek Branning ( Jamie Foreman ) finds out when he sees Joey and Lauren passionately kissing in the car lot office. Derek later threatens Lauren, and she pleas with Joey to leave Walford with her. As they drive away in Derek 's car, a drunk Lauren loses control of the car and crashes into a shop. Derek helps rescue them from the burning building, and forces Joey to take the blame for the crash. At the hospital, Lauren reveals her relationship with Joey to Tanya, and Derek blackmails Joey into ending his relationship with Lauren. Heartbroken and distraught, Lauren continues consuming alcohol. Tanya later comes to realise that Joey is still in love with Lauren. Lauren later drunkenly reveals her relationship with Joey to the rest of her family. Joey leaves Walford after Derek dies, but returns and reunites with Lauren, where Lucy witnesses them kissing. When trying to justify her relationship, Lauren is shocked when Lucy calls her selfish and undeserving of Joey 's love, so Lauren considers telling the police the truth about the car crash, until Joey convinces her not to. Lauren and Joey 's relationship is publicly revealed, though people start to accept it. Lauren discovers that Tanya has lied about missing a hospital appointment, and as Tanya refuses to talk, Lauren starts drinking again. Lauren destroys her mother 's wedding gown and cake before Tanya and Max are about to remarry. She later bonds with Max 's secret wife, Kirsty Branning ( Kierston Wareing ), upsetting Tanya. Lauren finds out that Kirsty is pregnant, although she is unaware that Kirsty is lying. At a party, Lucy spikes Lauren 's drink with alcohol, and Lauren gets drunk and reveals that Kirsty is pregnant. Lauren falls out with Joey, who breaks up with her over her drunken behaviour. She applies for a job as a waitress with Whitney at Ian Beale 's ( Adam Woodyatt ) new restaurant, where Lucy calls Joey to be Lauren 's test customer to ensure that Lauren will fail the task. Whitney gets the job but purposely withdraws so that Lauren gets the job instead. Lauren tries to make Joey jealous by kissing Tyler, who is now engaged to Whitney, but it fails and Whitney ends their friendship and Lucy offers the job back to Whitney. Lauren 's drinking gets worse, though she believes she is not dependent on alcohol, and she tricks her step - grandmother Dot Branning ( June Brown ) into giving her money, which she uses to buy alcohol. Tanya is angry when she discovers this. Lauren then steals £ 20 from her grandmother Cora Cross ' ( Ann Mitchell ) purse to buy more alcohol and when Tanya discovers this she compares her to her aunt, Rainie Cross ( Tanya Franks ). Disgusted, Lauren attempts to buy more alcohol but Kirsty refuses to serve her following Tanya 's wishes. Lauren walks outside and confides in Joey, but Lucy sees this and starts to intimidate Lauren, causing Lauren to violently punch Lucy in the face and smash the café window. Lauren is later arrested but Lucy decides not to press charges. Ian gives Lauren her waitress job back, but on the opening night of the restaurant, Lauren gets drunk and spills drink on one of the guests, so she is sacked again. Tanya and Max discover a lot of bottles in Lauren 's bedroom, so Tanya decides to keep Lauren locked in the house. She believes Lauren is showing no signs of withdrawal, but Lauren reveals she has been drinking vodka from a water bottle, so Tanya realises she is addicted to alcohol. Tanya keeps Lauren locked in her room, where her withdrawal leads her to escape through the window. Lauren tells her parents that nobody can stop her from drinking if she wants to. The next day, Tanya tells Lauren to leave after she destroys Abi 's revision notes, and stays with Max and Kirsty. Tanya asks a recently returned Peter ( now played by Ben Hardy ) to spend time with Lauren, but their date is sabotaged by Lucy, so Lauren gets drunk again leaves with a group of strangers. When she returns the following morning, her skin and eyes are yellow and she collapses in pain, so she is taken to hospital, where she is diagnosed with alcoholic hepatitis and is warned that she could die if she consumes any more alcohol. Lauren returns home and sees Joey outside so tries to find him. She confronts Lucy over her relationship with Joey, but Lucy refuses to give a straightforward answer, so Lauren concludes that they are together and she tries to get another drink but is refused service. Tanya takes her home, where she admits that she can not cope with her parents arguing all the time. Ultimately, Tanya blames herself for Lauren 's plight and takes Lauren to a clinic to get her help and get her away from her problems in Walford. Lauren, now a recovering alcoholic, returns to Walford and dislikes how people treat her, until Abi reminds her of all the hurt she caused. Lauren reconciles with Lucy, Whitney and Joey and on a night out with the girls, Lauren is heartbroken to discover that Joey slept with Whitney while she was away. Lauren leaves and takes a drink with her, she puts some in her mouth, but spits it out. She attends counselling and meets Jake Stone ( Jamie Lomas ). She notices he is married but then learns that he has separated from his wife. Lauren falls in love with Jake, but finds out he has lied as he is still married to Sadie Young ( Kate Magowan ), they split up but then resume their affair, Max catches them on and orders Lauren to end the relationship. Later that day, Joey asks Lauren to leave Walford with him but she decides to stay and resumes her affair with Jake. They are eventually discovered by Bella Young ( Isobelle Molloy ) who walks in on Lauren getting dressed. Understanding how Bella feels, Lauren ends the affair. When Sadie learns of this, Lauren attempts to apologise to Sadie, however she learns that Sadie has left Walford with Bella, and fails to persuade Jake not to relapse on alcohol. He then angrily throws a bottle of wine at Lauren which causes an injury to her face ; however, she forgives him before he leaves Walford. Lauren is stunned to come face to face with Stacey in The Vic, Stacey tells Lauren she will leave, however they meet again at Dot 's house. Cora decides to report Stacey to the police, but Lauren stops her and later makes amends with Stacey as they talk about Bradley. She overhears Max and Stacey talking about a recent kiss they had, and is agitated, she confronts Stacey and asks her to stay away from her father, and overlooks what she heard when Stacey reveals she is waiting for the police to arrest her for the murder of Archie because she wants to clear Bradley 's name. Lauren later avoids Jake when he returns to Walford, as he has returned to his alcoholism and is staying on Ian Beale 's sofa. Lucy asks Lauren to go into business with her, initially reluctant, Lauren later agrees, and they set up `` LB Lettings ''. Lauren becomes suspicious that Lucy is in a sexual relationship with Jake when he sets up the website for their business and Lucy later begins arranging secret meetings with someone. Lucy manages to soothe her anxieties, but she is really seeing Max. Soon after, Lucy is found dead and Lauren is devastated. She leans on Peter for support in her grief, and is tempted to return to drinking until Cora talks her out of it. Determined to overcome her grief, Lauren starts up the business again, and discovers an email from someone wanting to meet her on the night Lucy died. Believing Lucy went instead of her, Lauren reports this to the police but is not taken seriously, so she arranges to meet them herself. She is shocked when the person is revealed to be Jake, and he chases her through Walford to try and stop her from going to the police. However, she does anyway and he is arrested, although Lauren is clearly doubtful over whether he really did kill Lucy. When Peter falls out with his girlfriend Lola Pearce ( Danielle Harold ), Lauren comforts him and they share a passionate kiss. However, Peter feels bad for cheating on Lola, and leaves, although it is evident that Lauren still has feelings for him. Jake is eventually released when evidence clears him of all involvement, and makes his peace with Lauren before leaving Walford. Lauren starts a relationship with Dean Wicks ( Matt Di Angelo ) after having sex with him, but is shocked when Peter breaks up with Lola and tells Lauren he loves her after kissing her again. Lauren tells him that she still wants to be with Dean, and Peter vows that he will wait for her. When Peter is about to leave to visit New Zealand, Lauren ends her relationship with Dean and tells Peter she loves him. Lauren and Peter later begin to get paranoid when they are followed. When they get a car registration number, DS Summerhayes finds that it is a police car signed out to DS Cameron Bryant ( Glen Wallace ) but she tells everyone that the registration number belongs to a reporter. On Halloween night, she encounters a mysterious person in a Halloween mask who begins to follow her throughout the evening. This is later revealed to be Abi. Peter asks Lauren to marry him. Lauren accepts, but after finding out that Peter was selling drugs to Lucy, she tells him that she can not marry him. On New Year 's Day 2015, Max 's girlfriend Emma Summerhayes ( Anna Acton ) is killed in a car accident after meeting someone who she thinks killed Lucy. Although Max tears up Emma 's case notes, Lauren finds most of the pages and puts them together, suspicious about who killed Lucy. Lauren asks Peter to marry her and he accepts. However, after finding a previously torn off piece of a page from Emma 's case files and trying to use Emma 's phone, Lauren starts to doubt that she should marry Peter and drinks most of a half - bottle of whisky in Max 's office. When Lauren nearly faints, Stacey buys her a pregnancy test and discovers that Lauren is pregnant. Stacey confronts her on the pregnancy, but Lauren reveals that she knows who killed Lucy, but refuses to divulge the identity with the police. When Stacey calls the police on her, she is upset at her inability to keep a secret, but hands in most of Emma 's case files, while keeping the torn - off piece for herself. She writes a card addressed to Jane, saying that Lucy was killed at home, and abruptly leaves home to book an abortion. However, during the consultation meeting, Peter interrupts her and offers to support her through all her issues. Lauren says she is confused and that she knows what happened to Lucy, leading him to discover the truth about the murder at home. When Peter decides to move to New Zealand, he asks Lauren to accompany him. She initially rejects this offer in order to move to Devon with Tanya, but after he confesses to her about learning that his brother Bobby Beale ( Eliot Carrington ) is Lucy 's killer at Lucy 's grave, she changes her mind and decides to go to New Zealand after all. They dispose of Emma 's remaining evidence and SIM card deciding not to tell the police about Bobby being Lucy 's killer. She then says goodbye to Max and Abi and leaves the Square with Peter, taking an outfit for their unborn child with them. A heavily pregnant Lauren returns for Max 's murder trial saying she knows who killed Lucy. As she threatens to tell everyone about Bobby, her waters break. She later gives birth to a baby boy who she names Louie, in honour of Peter 's deceased great - grandmother, Lou Beale ( Anna Wing ). Lauren convinces Abi to stop Max from going to prison, as she believes that Max did not kill Lucy. Lauren tells Bobby 's adoptive mother Jane Beale ( Laurie Brett ) she is going to tell the truth but Max is found guilty thanks to Phil bribing the jury foreman. Max receives a sentence of twenty one years imprisonment. Max discovers Lauren knew that he was innocent and disowns her. Lauren makes a statement to the Police claiming that Bobby killed Lucy, however they do not believe her and she returns to New Zealand with Louie, vowing to come back to Walford one day and clear Max 's name. In May 2016, Bobby puts Jane in a coma and confesses to killing Lucy, so Ian 's mother Kathy Sullivan ( Gillian Taylforth ) telephones Lauren and then tells Ian that she and Peter are returning. However, when Lauren gets back with Louie, Ian is surprised to see her with his stepson Steven Beale ( Aaron Sidwell ) instead of Peter. Lauren tries to reconcile with an angry Abi, who is furious with Lauren for not telling her that she knew Bobby killed Lucy. Lauren and Steven try to make Ian understand their relationship and why Peter has not returned. When Max is due to have a court hearing following Bobby 's confession, Lauren and Abi write him a letter saying they will wait for him in the pub, asking Stacey to deliver it. Stacey returns, saying she missed the hearing but passed the letter to his solicitor. Max is released but does not meet Lauren, so she goes home. The letter is then returned through her letterbox and she runs outside to see Max leaving in a taxi. Lauren helps Abi get her job back in The Vic and decides to party with her friends. Lauren catches Abi and Lee and assumes that Abi is making a move on him, however Abi drunkenly reveals that she and Lee previously had sex. Lauren promises not to tell Whitney even though Steven tells her to. That same day, Lauren helps Whitney do a pregnancy test, which is positive. Lauren later warns Lee that she knows about his sex with Abi but says she will not say anything because it would mean ruining Whitney 's happiness. When Whitney does eventually find out about Lee 's unfaithfulness, Lauren supports her. She later starts a business as a web designer, with her first client being Belinda Peacock ( Carli Norris ). Steven is annoyed when Lauren buys herself a new laptop following a burglary at the Beales ' restaurant. Steven tells Lauren he needed a way to pay debts and she promises not to tell Ian the truth about the burglary as long as they are honest with each other in future. Lauren is excited when Louie says his first word : `` mama ''. Steven gets him to say `` dada '' and records a video. Lauren sends it to Peter, which upsets Steven, as he sees himself as Louie 's father, but Lauren says Peter will always be Louie 's father. When Jane discovers Steven has been stealing money from the restaurant, he explains he borrowed the money to pay debts to help Peter, who was drinking heavily and getting into fights, and Lauren does not know the whole truth. When Lauren learns this, she is angry that he was not honest and considers visiting Peter. Steven says he wanted to protect her and Louie, and going to New Zealand out of guilt or pity will be a mistake, so she decides not to go. Lauren starts to worry that her relationship with Steven has become stale but she does manage to seduce him until they are interrupted. While visiting Max at work, Lauren meets Josh Hemmings ( Eddie Eyre ) and they share an attraction. Lauren insists on meeting up with him to see what happens, but Whitney insists that she should consider Steven and Louie. Josh suggests that Lauren apply for a job at the company he works for, Weyland & Co, and though Max dissuade her from doing so, she applies anyway. At the interview, Lauren is shocked that Josh is one of the interviewers as she thought he worked on the photocopier. Lauren leaves but Josh follows ; Lauren slaps him for lying but they kiss. Meanwhile, Steven is eager for a baby with Lauren but she would rather concentrate on her career, so Steven starts piercing holes in his condoms. Lauren reaches the final two for the job and Max asks Josh not to employ Lauren, and he makes sure someone else gets the job, however, Josh visits Lauren at home and offers her a different job, and he meets Steven and realises Lauren is in a relationship and has a child. When Lauren starts work, she is annoyed that Steven gives her a photo of him and Louie for her desk and visits her in the office, as she wants to keep her home and work lives separate. However, Steven realises that Lauren has lied about not seeing much of Josh at work. Thanks to Abi, Steven becomes paranoid about Lauren and Josh 's relationship, especially when she works late a lot, and starts tracking Lauren 's whereabouts via a mobile app. Lauren starts feeling unwell and later takes a pregnancy test, which is positive. She is forced to miss work due to feeling ill. Steven tells her that she does not need the job at Weyland & Co to be happy. Later, Lauren books an appointment to discuss an abortion, soon after revealing her intentions to Abi, as she is not ready to have a second child. Max tells a disbelieving Lauren that Josh is engaged, then Josh admits he is getting married in November. Lauren surprises and annoys Abi by arranging a secret Father 's Day visit from Oscar for Max, neglecting to tell Abi about it. However, this drives Abi to reveal the abortion to Steven, though he decides not to confront Lauren. Lauren is jealous when Josh buys Abi an expensive necklace for her birthday. The sisters have a bitter quarrel and Abi throws Lauren out of the party. Lauren then tells Josh that she loves Steven but admits that there are no `` fireworks '', and tells Josh that she will not cheat on him, unaware that Steven has been spying on her with a secret camera. Unaware that Abi and Steven have embarked on an affair, Lauren realises she does not love Steven and plans on returning to New Zealand to make amends with Peter. However, Steven learns about her plans and lies to her that he has an inoperable brain tumour. Lauren is wracked with guilt and decides to remain in Walford. In another desperate attempt to keep her, Steven spontaneously proposes to her in the Queen Vic, which she accepts. Lauren tells Josh that she has been selfish and being in the company has made her realise that she needs to be with Steven. She then resigns from Weyland & Co. However, days later, Cora visits Lauren for her birthday and after meeting with Steven, tells Lauren that she knows he is controlling her and that they are not right for each other, and advises her to end the engagement and reach out to Tanya for support. Realizing Cora may be right but unsure what to do, Lauren leaves Walford to visit Tanya for advice. She returns and starts planning her and Steven 's wedding, however, after a fire which he started at Ian 's restaurant, he dies. Lauren is devastated. Abi tries to tell her that she is pregnant with Steven 's baby but Lauren misinterprets it as gloating about her own abortion, so Abi says that she wishes Lauren died instead and that she never deserved Steven 's love, causing Lauren to start drinking again. On the day of Steven 's funeral, Lauren finds out he lied about having a brain tumour and destroys his wreaths. When she finds out that Steven has been cremated, she refuses to scatter his ashes. Abi decides to leave Walford to visit Tanya, and when Lauren learns of this, she asks if she and Louie can join her. Abi agrees and they leave Walford together ; unbeknownst to Lauren, Abi is secretly taking Steven 's ashes with her. Lauren returns and asks Ian if she and Louie can continue living at his house but Ian informs her that he is selling the house. However, Ian later changes his mind about selling the house so offers Lauren and Louie the chance to move back in. Lauren visits Josh and asks for her job back which he accepts, he flirts with Lauren but he is rejected by her. Creation and development Casting and characterisation `` Intelligent, clever and a deep romantic, Lauren has it all. Like her mum, she is a quick judge of character but can also be sardonic, cynical and dry, just like her dad. '' -- The BBC describes Lauren played by Jossa ( 2010 ) Lauren is described by the BBC website as an `` outsider '' and `` does n't care what people think ''. It continues : `` Lauren is very quick on the uptake and picks up on everything going on around her but knows it does n't pay to have loose lips. She 's learnt the hard way that secrets destroy people. And this has made her vulnerable. '' Lauren Branning was introduced in 2006 by executive producer Kate Harwood. She and her immediate family -- father Max ( Jake Wood ), mother Tanya ( Jo Joyner ) and sister Abi ( Lorna Fitzgerald ) -- are an extension of the popular and long - running Jackson / Branning clan, who have appeared in the series since 1993. It was announced in May 2006 that Lauren would be played by actress Madeline Duggan. Duggan was replaced by Jacqueline Jossa, with Duggan 's final scenes airing on 23 June 2010. Recast Madeline Duggan as Lauren ( 2010 ). Duggan was described as `` a pretty lass, but pretty unimpressive ''. On 9 May 2010 it was announced that Duggan had been axed from the soap by executive producer Bryan Kirkwood and that she had already filmed her exit scenes. Her final episode was broadcast on 23 June 2010. In August 2010, it was announced that the character would be returning later in the year, now played by Jacqueline Jossa. Of her casting in the show, Jossa said `` I was so excited when I got the call to say I 'd got the part in EastEnders. I 've always been a massive fan of the show and it 's a dream come true. The character of Lauren Branning will be really fun to play and there are some exciting things coming up ''. Kirkwood said `` I 'm delighted to welcome Jacqueline Jossa to Albert Square. Jacqueline 's portrayal of Lauren has all the classic Branning qualities of toughness, cynicism and sensitivity. Jacqueline is set to be at the heart of Walford drama for some time to come ''. It was reported that Lauren 's return would show a more grown - up side to the character, who will cause trouble but also show a softer side as she attempts to find love. Jossa 's first appearance was on 27 September 2010. Jossa said that when she first got the part of Lauren, she `` worried unnecessarily ''. Talking to PA, Jossa said that working with Joyner and Wood was not as scary as she thought. She commented : `` There was less pressure than I thought there was going to be. When I first started I got really scared and worked up, thinking everyone 's going to hate me. They 've been there four years and then I 'm coming in to be their daughter - it was a bit surreal. And then two weeks later I felt completely comfortable, everyone was cracking jokes and I thought, ' Oh... I built it up a bit ! ' '' Storyline development Lauren 's primary storylines concerned a school girl romance with Peter Beale ( Thomas Law ), a friendship with the delinquent Lucy Beale ( Melissa Suffield ), and being caught in the middle of her warring parents, who separated in the serial in 2007 when Tanya discovered Max was cheating on her with Stacey Slater ( Lacey Turner ), Lauren 's half brother Bradley 's wife. In the storyline, Lauren played an integral part in the discovery of the affair ; as a result of a practical joke, Lauren unwittingly recorded Max and Stacey kissing on video camera, and sent the recording to Bradley as a Christmas present in December 2007 as means of revenge on her father. Despite a change of heart, the recording was seen by the entire Branning family on Christmas Day, an episode that drew 13.9 million viewers, 55.3 % of the total audience share. The character became involved in one of EastEnders ' most controversial storylines in 2008, when she was groomed by a paedophile, Tony King ( Chris Coghill ). Tony King had been introduced in September 2008 as the fiancé of Lauren 's cousin Bianca Jackson ( Patsy Palmer ). However, in a plot twist, it was revealed that Tony was already in a sexual relationship with Bianca 's 15 - year - old stepdaughter Whitney Dean ( Shona McGarty ). After losing interest in Whitney, Tony turns his attentions to 14 - year - old Lauren. An insider said : `` He has got away with abusing Whitney for years but it seems one young girl is n't enough. '' In April 2011, it was announced that Lauren is to have a relationship with already established character, Ryan Malloy. An EastEnders insider commented : `` Sparks will fly when Ryan and Lauren begin their relationship. Max is certainly someone not to mess with. He 's already very protective of his daughters and Ryan is n't exactly his favourite person after his relationship with Stacey, who Max will always hold a torch for. '' Jossa explained that upon Lauren finding out about Tanya 's cancer, viewers see a different side to Lauren. She told Inside Soap : `` Immediately, there 's a change in her - with Tanya so sick, Lauren has to grow up. You 'd expect her to dive into the drink again or something like that, but she 's right there for Tanya from the minute she finds out what 's going on. '' She continues : `` Tanya is still convinced she 'll be fine, but then she finds out that the cancer has begun to spread. Tanya 's really vulnerable at that point and it 's Lauren who 's saying, ' We 're going to fix this and everything will be fine '. She 's there for her mum the whole time - shopping, cooking, cleaning, looking after Abi and Oscar. She really wants to help Tanya and actually enjoys the responsibility. '' Alcoholism In January 2012, Jossa praised her storyline in which Lauren starts binge drinking due to the stress of her mother suffering from cancer. Jossa commented on the storyline saying that teenagers should take binge drinking more seriously. She said : `` It 's good EastEnders have done the storyline. It highlights that teenagers who people label irresponsible could be doing it to deal with worries they are keeping to themselves. What they actually need is help or someone to talk to. At first to Lauren drinking was a laugh. Then it became a way of forgetting - she has carried the burden of keeping her mum 's illness secret. '' Speaking about Lauren 's love life, Jossa added : `` I always want Lauren and Fatboy to get together. They would make such a cute couple. '' Jossa predicted in November 2012 that Lauren will revert to her old ways after her latest relationship break - up. When asked if Lauren would start drinking again, Jossa said that Lauren did not really stop and that alcohol is her `` comfort blanket ''. Executive Producer Lorraine Newman said that Lauren 's binge drinking will `` come to a head '' in Spring 2013. Newman commented `` Lauren 's obviously very troubled. A huge amount of what we 're seeing now is to do with what 's been going on with her parents for such a long time. It 's a tough one covering the issue of binge drinking because inevitably, in order for it to have sufficient impact, it has to go on for a considerable amount of time. There 's a real danger that it will become unpalatable and that you wo n't have too much empathy for the character. '' Newman also added that the binge drinking storyline will come to a conclusion in 2013. In March 2013, it was revealed that Lauren is to have her drink spiked by her friend Lucy Beale. Lauren gave up her binge drinking to save her relationship with Joey but Lucy can not stand seeing them happy together and decides she wants Joey back after a brief fling. Lucy spikes Lauren 's drink and Lauren becomes extremely drunk and makes a fool of herself. Joey dumps Lauren as he thinks she has drinking behind her back and Lauren 's life spirals out of control. An insider told the Daily Star `` It 's going to be emotional to watch Lauren go through it all again as she 's already been through so many battles with the bottle. '' Hetti Bywater said that she will continue her scheming until she gets Joey back. Relationship with Joey Branning In September 2012, Alison Rowley of Digital Spy said that Lauren will fall in love with her cousin Joey Branning ( David Witts ). An EastEnders insider told the Daily Star that it will be a huge storyline across the autumn. The insider said `` Lauren hits the booze and shows her vulnerable side to Joey. He 's there for her and feels very protective. The more time they spend together the more they start to realise their feelings for each other are not just that of cousins. '' As the chemistry between the pair intensifies, they try to hide the relationship from their parents. The insider said that it is a powerful force and that the attraction between them is so strong that it will take something huge to `` stop them jumping into bed ''. Daniel Kilkelly later revealed that Lauren and Joey will be in a `` horrifying '' car crash. Filming for scenes begun on 10 September and is thought that the on - location filming will continue through the week. The details of the storyline are being kept under wraps but the Daily Mail reports that Lauren will joyride her uncle Derek Branning 's ( Jamie Foreman ) car but it goes horribly wrong and their lives are left hanging in the balance when Lauren loses control of the car and goes through a shop window. An insider commented `` Everyone is really excited about these scenes. It 's going to be a huge storyline for us in a few weeks ' time, so it 's definitely one for the fans to watch out for. '' The storyline will reportedly air in November 2012 and is said to be one of the show 's biggest moments of the year. Lauren is later dumped by Joey after Derek blackmails him. Witts said that Joey will find life `` really hard '' after dumping Lauren. Derek suggests to Joey that if he tells the police that he was driving the car that drunken Lauren crashed, she can avoid a prison sentence. Joey agrees to the deception to help Lauren but is later horrified when Derek threatens to tell the police the truth unless he gets his own way. Speaking to Soaplife, Witts said `` Joey must either move in with Derek and be a respectful and loving son, or dump Lauren. If Joey takes either of those options, Derek wo n't tell the police that Lauren was driving the car. Joey 's love for Lauren is massive, but not quite as massive as his hatred for Derek. He decides to become the villain and lie that he never loved her. He 'll take the flack because that will make it easier for her to move on without him. '' Witts also added that it will be `` really hard '' as he keeps making out to Lauren that he is not interested. Witts also said that Joey would be making a mistake if he told Lauren about Derek 's blackmail. He commented `` She 's very headstrong and she 'd say that she does n't care about getting into trouble with the law. It would all end in tears. Everyone would find out as Lauren 's the sort of person who 'd blurt everything out, and it would cause even more of a mess. Joey very much thinks he 's doing the right thing. '' Tony Discipline said that he does not mind watching Jossa 's, his real - life girlfriend 's scenes and that he supports the Joey and Lauren plot commenting `` I do n't find it strange to watch - it is part of the job. We always support each other and Jacqueline always asks me how it looks. But it is part of our job. '' Departure On 10 September 2017, it was announced that Jossa had been axed from the show by creative director John Yorke, along with Lorna Fitzgerald. An official spokesperson said : `` We can confirm Jacqueline and Lorna will be leaving. They have been wonderful to work with and we wish them all the best for the future. '' Their exits are expected to air during the Christmas period of 2017. Lauren 's Diaries Following Jossa 's first appearance, Lauren started appearing in her own internet spin - off series, Lauren 's Diaries, and a second series started in 2011. No. Title Duration Original air date `` I 'm Back ! '' 1 : 52 8 October 2010 ( 2010 - 10 - 08 ) `` Eating My Weight in Ice Cream '' 2 : 19 11 October 2010 ( 2010 - 10 - 11 ) `` It 's My Cousin... '' 2 : 10 29 October 2010 ( 2010 - 10 - 29 ) `` He Was Possessed '' 2 : 43 9 November 2010 ( 2010 - 11 - 09 ) 5 `` My Dad 's a Lying Cheater ! '' 1 : 39 11 November 2010 ( 2010 - 11 - 11 ) 6 `` Stacey Did It ! '' 1 : 06 12 November 2010 ( 2010 - 11 - 12 ) 7 `` I 'm Gonna Make Her Pay '' 0 : 52 15 November 2010 ( 2010 - 11 - 15 ) 8 `` If the World Burnt Down '' 1 : 36 16 November 2010 ( 2010 - 11 - 16 ) 9 `` I Wanna Forgive '' 1 : 19 30 November 2010 ( 2010 - 11 - 30 ) 10 ``... a big white dress '' 2 : 35 12 April 2011 ( 2011 - 04 - 12 ) 11 `` Kate Middleton marries her prince '' 2 : 45 29 April 2011 ( 2011 - 04 - 29 ) 12 `` Fatboy reveals feelings for Mercy '' 2 : 54 16 May 2011 ( 2011 - 05 - 16 ) 13 `` I should be in my prime ! '' 1 : 42 26 May 2011 ( 2011 - 05 - 26 ) 14 `` Why ca n't we just talk about things ? '' 3 : 55 19 October 2011 ( 2011 - 10 - 19 ) 15 `` You 're so vain... '' 1 : 34 1 November 2011 ( 2011 - 11 - 01 ) 16 `` Happy 18th Lauren ? '' 4 : 14 23 March 2012 ( 2012 - 03 - 23 ) Reception Inside Soap commented on Lauren 's recasting describing Lauren played by Duggan was `` a pretty lass, but pretty unimpressive '' and that played by Jossa she has acquired `` an attitude as severe as her fringe ''. Jane Simon from the Daily Mirror said that Lauren played by Jossa `` brings some badly needed oomph to the part ''. Jossa won Best Newcomer at the National Television Awards 2012. Executive Producer Bryan Kirkwood commented : `` I 'd like to say a huge congratulations to our girl, Jacqueline Jossa, for her amazing success. It 's well - deserved recognition of Jacqueline 's beautiful, truthful and moving portrayal of Lauren Branning. '' A writer for the Daily Mirror said that all of Lauren 's problems are caused by her being a Branning. In August 2017, Jossa was longlisted for Sexiest Female at the Inside Soap Awards, while Steven 's brain tumour lie to Lauren was longlisted for Best Shock Twist. Jossa 's Sexiest Female nomination made the viewer - voted shortlist, but she lost out to Natalie J. Robb, who portrays Moira Dingle in Emmerdale. See also List of soap opera recasts References Jump up ^ `` ' EastEnders ' Actress Jacqueline Jossa Pregnant With ' TOWIE ' Star Dan Osborne 's Baby ''. Huffington Post. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2015. Jump up ^ Jackson, Marc ( 21 December 2014 ). `` Jacqueline Jossa has bump stroked by Ben Hardy during final EastEnders shoot ''. Mail Online. Retrieved 21 December 2014. Jump up ^ Ahmed, Tufayel ( 9 September 2014 ). `` EastEnders ' Jacqueline Jossa wants to find out Lucy Beale 's killer before going on maternity leave - Mirror Online ''. Daily Mirror. Retrieved 9 November 2014. Jump up ^ `` BBC One - EastEnders, 24 / 02 / 2015 ''. BBC. Jump up ^ McCreesh, Louise ( 10 September 2017 ). `` EastEnders cast shake - up sees Jacqueline Jossa and Lorna Fitzgerald written out as Lauren and Abi Branning ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 10 September 2017. Jump up ^ `` BBC One EastEnders ''. BBC. Retrieved 7 February 2015. Jump up ^ Brown, David ( 27 January 2015 ). `` Lauren asks Peter to marry her ''. Radio Times. Retrieved 7 February 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` Lauren Branning played by Jacqueline Jossa ''. EastEnders. BBC Online. 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2012. Jump up ^ Green, Kris ( 25 May 2006 ). `` Branning children cast in ' EastEnders ' ''. Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 27 January 2012. ^ Jump up to : Kilkelly, Daniel ( 6 August 2010 ). `` New actress to play Lauren in ' Enders ''. Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi ( UK ) Ltd. Retrieved 6 August 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` What a difference a year makes ! ''. Inside Soap. Hachette Filipacchi UK ( 52 ) : 43. 1 January 2011. Jump up ^ Green, Kris ( 9 May 2010 ). `` Two more to leave ' EastEnders ' ''. Digital Spy. Retrieved 8 May 2010. Jump up ^ Kilkelly, Daniel ( September 2010 ). `` Ryan and Janine face a big crisis ''. Digital Spy. London : Hachette Filipacchi UK. Archived from the original on 9 September 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2010. ^ Jump up to : Kilkelly, Daniel ( 26 January 2012 ). `` ' EastEnders ' Jacqueline Jossa : ' I worried over soap role ' ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved 27 January 2012. Jump up ^ Green, Kris ( 21 December 2007 ). `` In Pictures : Tanya Slaps Stacey In A Fit Of Rage ''. United Kingdom : Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 December 2009. Jump up ^ Martin, Nicole ( 26 December 2007 ). `` BBC Wins Christmas Day Ratings Battle ''. United Kingdom : Telegraph. Retrieved 12 December 2009. Jump up ^ Revoir, Paul ( 17 September 2008 ). `` Scores of Complaints as EastEnders Shows Scenes Of A Paedophile Grooming A Teenager ''. United Kingdom : Mail Online. Retrieved 12 December 2009. Jump up ^ Gould, Lara ( 28 September 2008 ). `` EastEnders Paedophile Tony King Is Set To Strike Again ''. United Kingdom : Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 12 December 2009. Jump up ^ `` Enders ' Tony Sets Sights On New Victim ? ''. United Kingdom : Metro. 19 September 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2009. ^ Jump up to : Davies, Rebecca ( 29 April 2011 ). `` ' EastEnders ' Ryan to have teen affair ? ''. Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 27 January 2012. ^ Jump up to : Kilkelly, Daniel ( 14 September 2011 ). `` ' EastEnders ' Lauren will change, says Jacqueline Jossa ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved 29 January 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` Jossa : Take teen drinking seriously ''. Google News. The Press Association. 24 January 2012. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012. ^ Jump up to : Kilkelly, Daniel ( 21 November 2012 ). `` ' EastEnders ' Jacqueline Jossa expects Lauren alcohol setback ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 9 December 2012. ^ Jump up to : Goodacre, Kate ( 2 January 2013 ). `` ' EastEnders ' Lauren Branning is very troubled, says executive producer ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 14 January 2013. ^ Jump up to : Daniels, Colin ( 31 March 2013 ). `` ' EastEnders ' Lauren Branning ' has drink spiked ' ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 9 June 2013. Jump up ^ Dainty, Sophie ( 17 April 2013 ). `` ' EastEnders ' Hetti Bywater : ' Lucy will keep scheming until she gets Joey ' ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 9 June 2013. ^ Jump up to : Rowley, Alison ( 9 September 2012 ). `` ' EastEnders ' : Lauren Branning falls for cousin Joey ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 9 September 2012. ^ Jump up to : Kilkelly, Daniel ( 11 September 2012 ). `` ' EastEnders ' car crash details revealed ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 11 September 2012. Jump up ^ Kilkelly, Daniel ( 20 November 2012 ). `` Lauren and Joey face terrible danger ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 21 November 2012. ^ Jump up to : Kilkelly, Daniel ( 21 November 2012 ). `` ' EastEnders ' David Witts : ' It 's hard for Joey to dump Lauren ' ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 21 November 2012. Jump up ^ Kilkelly, Daniel ( 12 December 2012 ). `` ' EastEnders ' Tony Discipline : ' I support Lauren, Joey plot ' ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 14 January 2013. Jump up ^ Metro.co.uk, Duncan Lindsay for ( 2017 - 09 - 10 ). `` EastEnders boss plans double Christmas exit for Lauren and Abi ''. Metro. Retrieved 2017 - 09 - 10. Jump up ^ Kilkelly, Daniel ( 29 April 2011 ). `` ' EastEnders ' Pics : New ' Lauren 's Diaries ' episode ''. Digital Spy. London : Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 29 April 2011. Jump up ^ Simon, Jane ( 27 September 2010 ). `` We love soaps ''. Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 27 January 2012. ^ Jump up to : Francis, Rob ( 25 January 2012 ). `` Jacqueline Jossa scoops NTA ''. EastEnders. BBC Online. Retrieved 27 January 2012. Jump up ^ `` EastEnders : What 's in store this week ''. Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. 14 January 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012. Jump up ^ Harp, Justin ( 22 August 2017 ). `` Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks all make the Inside Soap Awards longlist ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 22 August 2017. Jump up ^ Kilkelly, Daniel ( 31 October 2017 ). `` Inside Soap Awards 2017 shortlist revealed -- which Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars are up for prizes ? ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 31 October 2017. Jump up ^ Dainty, Sophie ( 6 November 2017 ). `` Emmerdale wins best soap at the Inside Soap Awards for the third year running ''. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 6 November 2017. External links Lauren Branning at BBC Online Lauren 's Diaries at BBC Online EastEnders characters Present and future characters Kathy Beale Sharon Watts Ian Beale Michelle Fowler Dot Cotton Martin Fowler James Willmott - Brown Fi Browning Phil Mitchell Sonia Fowler Robbie Jackson Aunt Sal Ben Mitchell Melanie Owen Billy Mitchell Rebecca Fowler Patrick Trueman Louise Mitchell Derek Harkinson Bobby Beale Stacey Slater Jean Slater Honey Mitchell Denise Fox Libby Fox Max Branning Abi Branning Lauren Branning Janet Mitchell Shirley Carter Jay Brown Masood Ahmed Jack Branning Will Mitchell Whitney Dean Ryan Malloy Amy Mitchell Kim Fox Glenda Mitchell Lily Branning Ricky Mitchell Cora Cross Dennis Rickman Jnr Tina Carter Linda Carter Mick Carter Johnny Carter Donna Yates Kush Kazemi Vincent Hubbard Pearl Fox - Hubbard Ollie Carter Carmel Kazemi Louie Beale Arthur Fowler Shakil Kazemi Keegan Baker Travis Law - Hughes Gethin Pryce Josh Hemmings Woody Woodward Ted Murray Joyce Murray Tom Bailey Karen Taylor Keanu Taylor Bernadette Taylor Riley Taylor Chatham Taylor Hope Fowler Past characters AJ Ahmed Della Alexander Johnny Allen Ruby Allen Tom Banks Geoff Barnes Clare Bates Debbie Bates Laurie Bates Nigel Bates Cindy Beale Jane Beale Laura Beale Lou Beale Lucy Beale Pete Beale Peter Beale Steven Beale Polly Becker Adam Best Manda Best Alice Branning April Branning Bradley Branning Derek Branning Jim Branning Suzy Branning Tanya Branning Aidan Brosnan Diane Butcher Frank Butcher Janine Butcher Liam Butcher Mo Butcher Pat Butcher Ricky Butcher Tiffany Butcher Kelvin Carpenter Tony Carpenter Nancy Carter Stan Carter Zsa Zsa Carter Lorna Cartwright Barry Clark Christian Clarke Paul Coker Richard Cole Julie Cooper Ashley Cotton Charlie Cotton ( 1986 ) Charlie Cotton ( 2014 ) Dotty Cotton Nick Cotton Stella Crawford Rainie Cross Beppe di Marco Bruno and Luisa di Marco Gianni di Marco Rosa di Marco Ray Dixon Jase Dyer Huw Edwards Steve Elliot Nellie Ellis Barry Evans Natalie Evans Roy Evans Fatboy Ferreira family Conor Flaherty Mary Flaherty Fred Fonseca Arthur Fowler Lisa Fowler Mark Fowler Pauline Fowler Ruth Fowler Vicki Fowler Chelsea Fox Joanne Francis Jodie Gold Vanessa Gold Marge Green Mo Harris Nina Harris Dexter Hartman Julie Haye Alex Healy Christine Hewitt Ted Hills Tony Hills Garry Hobbs Lynne Hobbs Lofty Holloway Andy Hunter Alan Jackson Bianca Jackson Billie Jackson Blossom Jackson Carmel Jackson Carol Jackson Naima Jeffery Saeed Jeffery Al Jenkins Greg Jessop Lucas Johnson Danielle Jones Naomi Julien Gita Kapoor Sanjay Kapoor Karim family Yusef Khan Tony King Harold Legg Donna Ludlow Joe Macer Jill Marsden Afia Masood Amira Masood Shabnam Masood Syed Masood Tamwar Masood Zainab Masood Lilly Mattock Josie McFarlane Poppy Meadow Darren Miller Demi Miller Keith Miller Mickey Miller Rosie Miller Rob Minter Archie Mitchell Danny Mitchell Grant Mitchell Jamie Mitchell Kate Mitchell Little Mo Mitchell Peggy Mitchell Ronnie Mitchell Roxy Mitchell Sam Mitchell Tiffany Mitchell Vinnie Monks Alfie Moon Anthony Moon Danny Moon Eddie Moon Jake Moon Michael Moon Nana Moon Spencer Moon Tyler Moon Trevor Morgan Rod Norman Andy O'Brien Mercy Olubunmi Ali Osman Mehmet Osman Sue Osman Steve Owen Annie Palmer George Palmer Lola Pearce Minty Peterson Frankie Pierre Paul Priestly Irene Raymond Louise Raymond Simon Raymond Terry Raymond Dennis Rickman Binnie Roberts Roly Willy Roper Matthew Rose Colin Russell Mandy Salter Trevor Short Lydia Simmonds Ethel Skinner Charlie Slater Kat Slater Sean Slater Zoe Slater Leon Small Babe Smith Gus Smith Mary Smith Dan Sullivan Gavin Sullivan Dawn Swann Celestine and Etta Tavernier Clyde Tavernier Hattie Tavernier Jules Tavernier Kelly Taylor Heather Trott Anthony Trueman Paul Trueman Yolande Trueman Owen Turner Angie Watts Chrissie Watts Den Watts Wellard Carl White Carly Wicks David Wicks Dean Wicks Joe Wicks Kevin Wicks Lorraine Wicks Simon Wicks Debbie Wilkins Cindy Williams Willy May Wright Lists of characters By year : 1985 1986 2017 Others : Flaherty family Dickens Hill inmates The Banned band members Characters from spin - offs Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lauren_Branning&oldid=809055986 '' Categories : EastEnders characters Fictional characters introduced in 2006 Fictional market stallholders Child characters in television Fictional salespeople Fictional alcohol abusers Fictional beauticians Fictional waiting staff Fictional businesspeople Fictional characters involved in incest Female characters in television Hidden categories : Use dmy dates from June 2014 Episode list using the default LineColor Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español Gaeilge Edit links This page was last edited on 6 November 2017, at 21 : 39. 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Question: who does lauren from eastenders go out with
Answer: Joey Branning