EastEnders confirms Jacqueline Jossa return as Lauren Branning

 "It really does feel like coming home."

Briefly spotted on screen three months ago as she reconsidered a romance with Peter Beale before packing her bags again, The Sun reports that Lauren's "stormy" return storyline around the New Year is inextricably linked to Cindy Beale, played by Michelle Collins.

"I'm really excited," said Jossa, who originally left the soap after eight years in 2018.

It's such an amazing time to be back as there is so much buzz around EastEnders at the moment. I've been watching and loving it like a fan.

"Walford holds a special place in my heart, so it really does feel like coming home."

Weighing in on the good news, EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw suggested he's planning to use Jossa's comeback as a way of boosting the show's synonymous family drama.

"I'm delighted to welcome Jacqueline back to the role of Lauren Branning. We only saw Lauren on screen a few of months ago, but her return left plenty of unfinished business between her and the Beales," he teased.

The Branning family have a long history of being at the heart of the drama in Walford, and we're thrilled to have Jacqueline back in the Square as she continues that family tradition."

Earlier this year, the actress (who was crowned Queen of the Jungle in 2019) reflected on juggling a full-time soap job with motherhood.

"I love the show so much, and I probably would have still been there otherwise, but I was happy to be with the kids more," she admitted.

"Being on the soap is tough if you're a parent, and I never really got it because I was a kid when I started and was always on set. I remember Jo Joyner had her twins as I joined and I remember her struggling to balance that. I spoke to her quite recently and she said, 'You have to go with your heart because the kids always come first' – and they do."