Tanya Branning to return to EastEnders? Expert teases soap's next big comeback

Fans would love to see Tanya back
Joel Harley

An entertainment specialist has revealed that Tanya Branning is ‘odds-on’ favourite to return to EastEnders this year. Fans have been clamouring to see the ex-wife of Max Branning since her exit from the soap in 2018 – and even more so since Max’s own return earlier this month.

With Max set to make a permanent comeback over the coming weeks, could Tanya follow suit?

An expert spokesperson for Gambling.com, who specialise in comparing and ranking online gambling sites, has weighed in on the chances of a Tanya comeback.

Tanya looks shocked on EastEnders
Tanya was married to Max (Credit: BBC/YouTube)

Tanya Branning EastEnders return?

According to analysis from the website’s entertainment expert, James Leyfield, Tanya is odds-on favourite to return to the soap this year. With odds of 4/11, this puts Tanya at chances of 73.3% of an EastEnders comeback.

Just behind her is Roxy Mitchell (never mind the fact that she’s dead), at 2/5, or 71.4%. In third place is Nigel’s daughter (69.2% likely), and Emma Harding, as played by Patsy Kensit in fourth (66.7%).

With Zoe now back in town, there’s a strong Slater showing on the list, including both Little Mo (65.2%) and Sean Slater (61.9%) . Might they return ahead of Freddie and Stacey’s upcoming exits from the soap?

Tanya looks upset on EastEnders
Long-suffering Tanya fled Walford in 2018 (Credit: BBC/YouTube)

Where is Tanya now?

Tanya Branning’s the name on everyone’s lips since the recent returns of Max and Oscar Branning to EastEnders. Now all-grown up, Oscar revealed that he was no longer in contact with his mum after almost getting their house burned down.

Meanwhile, Max hinted that granddaughter Abi Jr. was currently in his ex-wife’s care – although it’s unclear whether he meant Tanya or other ex-wife Rainie.

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Tanya hasn’t returned to Walford since daughter Abi’s death in 2018. She currently resides in Exeter, where she remains semi-estranged from Oscar and Lauren.

Speaking out on the chances of a potential return to EastEnders, actress Jo Joyner said in 2019: “There is always scope as long as you have got family that are in the show but not for me at the moment.”

And with Max and Oscar joining Lauren in Walford this year, there’s still plenty of Brannings around for Tanya to come home to…

Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns.