BBC Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 17 Feb 2026, 15:02 By Claire Crick 17 Feb 2026, 15:02 Fans 'work out' horrific flashforward death for Penny after spoilers confirm she's pregnant Has Penny's fate been sealed? Jack Branning Max Branning's New Year flashforward Penny Branning Vinny Panesar Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Claire Crick 17 Feb 2026, 15:02 By Claire Crick 17 Feb 2026, 15:02 Ever since EastEnders aired the flashforward episode at the start of the year, fans have been trying to work out clues dropped by the soap – and this week’s spoilers have got them fearing for pregnant Penny Branning. EastEnders spoilers for next week have revealed that Penny is set to discover she is having a baby after sleeping with Vinny Panesar. While the pregnancy isn’t planned, Penny is open to discussing her options… however, her dad, Jack, doesn’t react well to the news. Jack is shocked to learn Penny is pregnant (Credit: BBC) Penny’s pregnancy is revealed next week After Jack finds a pregnancy test at home during a Branning family Sunday lunch, he initially thinks it belongs to Lily. However, it soon turns out to be Penny’s. When Penny later takes the test, she lies to her dad that it was negative. But he soon discovers she fibbed, and all hell breaks loose when he doesn’t show her the support she needs. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Later, Vinny learns Penny is expecting and races to be by her side. The pair head to the doctors to talk about their options and, after careful consideration, they make a decision about their future. Vinny stands by Penny’s side as they decide what to do (Credit: BBC) What does the future hold for pregnant Penny in EastEnders? The news that Penny is pregnant has left viewers fearing for the character’s future after watching the New Year flashforward episode. Some fans had already guessed that baby Ethan, who Jack is looking after in the flashforward episode, could be Penny’s baby after she slept with Vinny.Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your EastEnders newsIt's important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV news & schedules to share with our community of loyal readers. Click here and tick TVGuide.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search. However, now that the pregnancy storyline has been confirmed, fans are worried this means Penny is being killed off. With Jack looking after Ethan, they think this means Penny could be injured and unable to look after her baby. Or that she might even die before the year is out. Fans think Penny’s pregnancy storyline could spell trouble for the character (Credit: BBC) Fans fear the worst for pregnant Penny Fans took to social media to share their fears… “I’m scared Penny dies because in the flashforward. Jack was grieving and looking after a baby,” said one fan on Reddit. Another agreed: “The baby in the flashforward is Penny, and she dies.” While someone else begged writers not to get rid of Penny… “Penny better not die. I’m warning the writers now, do not test me!” During the flashforward episode, it is mentioned that Max had rescued Etham and Jimmy. While we are yet to find out exactly what Max saved the babies from, one fan thinks the same event could have injured Penny… “Penny might not have died. Maybe she is injured in whatever incident Max rescues Ethan and Jimmy from. She could be in hospital, and maybe Vinny is too?” Everything you need to know about Penny Branning... Who plays Penny Branning in EastEnders? Penny Branning first arrived in Walford in 2008, when she was played by Mia McKenna-Bruce. She was initially a recurring character. In November 2023, it was announced that the role would be recast. Penny returned to Walford in early 2024, this time played by Kitty Castledine. Executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: "It's been a long time since Penny Branning was in Walford. She's a very different person from the one our viewers might remember." Kitty was thrilled to join the cast: "My whole family are EastEnders fans and the inclusion of disabled talent on screen is so important to me as a wheelchair user. I'm thrilled to be playing someone as fiesty and cool as Penny. What happened to Jack's daughter, Penny? Jack's job in the police is sadly the reason behind his daughter being in a wheelchair. Back in 2006, Jack caught a drug dealer who deliberately hit Penny with his car while she was waiting for a bus with her mum, Selina. The injuries were so great that Penny's spine was severed. Who is Penny's mum in EastEnders? Penny's mum is Jack's ex-wife, Selina Branning, played by Daisy Beaumont. She made her first appearance on the soap on 21 January 2008 and was last seen on screen on 14 April 2008. Following Penny's hit-and-run, she and her mother lived in France for many years before Penny returned to Walford. Is Penny disabled in real life in EastEnders? Yes, when she was seven years old, Kitty was diagnosed with a rare, acute inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord called transverse myelitis, which left her paralysed. As a wheelchair user, Kitty is passionate about showing more disabled characters on screen, but not to solely focus on the disability. Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. 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