2. HEARTBREAKING EastEnders’ Jacqueline Jossa opens up about emotional storyline as Lauren Branning’s baby faces devastating diagnosis

JACQUELINE Jossa has revealed her fears over her ‘tough’ new EastEnders’ storyline.

On last night’s episode of the long-running BBC One soap, Lauren Branning’s baby son Jimmy received a life-changing medical diagnosis.

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Jacqueline Jossa has admitted her fears over her huge new EastEnders storylineCredit: BBC

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Lauren Branning’s son Jimmy received a life-changing medical diagnosisCredit: BBC

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Lauren and Peter were told their son has optic nerve and chorioretinal coloboma.Credit: BBC
Lauren brought her newborn to the hospital after she noticed something concerning about his eyes.

The consultant ran tests on Jimmy before Peter (Thomas Law) and Lauren were told their son has optic nerve and chorioretinal coloboma.

This means that the back of his eyes have not been fully formed which leaves the young tot with severe sight impairment.

Jacqueline, 32, took to her Instagram account as she admitted her fears over the storyline.

Posting an emotional image of herself in character as Lauren Branning, cradling over her baby, she wrote a short essay on her story.

“Wow, your dms, comments and videos have not gone unnoticed I am BLOWN AWAY. I’m very overwhelmed,” Jacqueline admitted.

“Thank you so so much. Being gifted with this story has been a dream and I’ve found strength in the story.

“This is many people’s reality, many people that have dmed me and I feel so lucky to be able to tell a version of your story.

“I thought I would find it really really tough but I found it gave me this crazy sense of strength.”

She added: “I love how Lauren has handled herself through this.

Jacqueline Jossa and estranged hubby Dan Osbourne enjoy a ‘make or break’ Easter holiday together in Mexico

“It’s so lovely to read all of the DMs and messages, truly I am so thankful.”

On Tuesday night’s dramatic instalment of EastEnders, Lauren was insistent that something was wrong with her baby at the hospital.

This was after the receptionist refused to give her an appointment as she was not referred.

Alarm bells rang in the Beale household when Lauren went ‘missing’ after Louie told Peter that he saw his mum taking pills that were kept in the kitchen.

Lauren Branning’s biggest EastEnders storylines

By Conor O’Brien

Since debuting in 2006, Lauren Branning’s had her fair share of drama in Albert Square.

She’s been played by two actresses – originally Madeline Duggan and then Jacqueline Jossa from 2010 onwards.

Let’s take a look back at some of Lauren’s biggest EastEnders storylines.

Who ran over Max?: Early on in Lauren’s tenure, the soap had a whodunnit which saw Max (Jake Wood) run over by an unknown driver. It was later revealed that Lauren, his daughter, was the culprit.
Friendships with Lucy Beale and Whitney Dean: Throughout her teenage years, Lauren developed close friendships with both Lucy and Whitney. Both bonds would have ramifications for her later life. She had a son with Lucy’s twin brother Peter and also had an affair with Zack (James Farrar) – Whitney’s fiancee – prompting her to leave the Square for good.
Alcoholism: Lauren began binge drinking to cope with stress from her mum Tanya (Jo Joyner) battling cancer. This later expanded into a long-term addiction storyline.
Relationship with Joey Branning: In 2012, Lauren embarked on one of her more controversial storylines – a sexual relationship with Joey Branning (David Witts), her first cousin.

He then expressed his fears to his father Ian (Adam Woodyatt) and recovering alcoholic Linda (Kellie Bright).

Lauren was left absolutely devastated as she explained it was only folic acid, which is a common medicine for new mums.

Peter tried to apologise but the incident left Lauren fearing that they were just not able to move on from her previous addiction problems.

Will they be able to come together for the sake of their baby?

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He was worried when their elder son Louie told Peter he saw Lauren taking pillsCredit: BBC

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Lauren promised her baby she she would always be there to support himCredit: BBC

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The parents have to deal with the repercussions of the diagnosisCredit: BBC
EastEnders continues on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.