BBC Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Katy Brent 18 Jan 2018, 16:01 By Katy Brent 18 Jan 2018, 16:01 The original Lauren Branning makes EastEnders comeback Sorry, Jac Jossa EastEnders Jacqueline Jossa Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Katy Brent 18 Jan 2018, 16:01 By Katy Brent 18 Jan 2018, 16:01 She hasn’t even left the soap on-screen yet but EastEnders bosses have already sneakily replaced Jacqueline Jossa with the original Lauren Branning – Madeline Duggan. Eagle-eyed fans spotted the swap during Tuesday’s episode when Max Branning stuck a photograph above daughter Abi’s hospital bed. Read more: Tanya Branning’s EastEnders absence has finally been explained Abi is currently in hospital after falling from the roof of The Vic on Christmas Day. Despite being declared brain-stem dead, Max is having trouble accepting that nothing can be done to save his daughter. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Lauren has been trying to convince Max to turn off Abi’s life support machine, but her pleas have been falling on deaf ears. But what got viewers talking was the short cameo Madeline made in the scene. The photo Max stuck over Abi’s bed featured the whole Branning family – including baby Oscar – back in happier times. As Jacqueline didn’t take over the role until 2010, when the Brannings were well and truly broken, Madeline was in the snap.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. “How they going to have the old cast of Lauren in a family photo? Should have cut that photo part out #EastEnders” said one observant fan. Another commented: “They used a photo with old Lauren?” While a third tweeted Madeline herself to let her know about her brief appearance: “Hi @maddiedugx is there any truth to u returning to the role of Lauren branning?? I mean max put a pic up in the hospital of max ABI Lauren Tanya and Oscar and the Lauren was u.. lol..” Jacqueline was cast as Lauren after the character took a brief break from Walford as producers wanted her to tackle more grown up storylines when she returned. And she certainly did that. In the eight years Jac has been playing the eldest Branning daughter, she’s faced a battle with alcoholism, a relationship with her cousin, the murder of her best friend, an unplanned pregnancy, a psychopath boyfriend and now her sister’s untimely death. Read more: Former EastEnders star lands exciting role in Casualty Meanwhile Madeline is still an actress and has appeared in Silent Witness and Sky 1 drama The Smoke. EastEnders continues tonight at 7.30pm on BBC One Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google Good to Know Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Katy Brent 18 Jan 2018, 16:01 By Katy Brent 18 Jan 2018, 16:01 Previous Story Next Story
