<Tr> <Th> Other relatives </Th> <Td> Liam Butcher Tiffany Butcher Morgan Butcher Sami Jackson Rebecca Fowler </Td> </Tr> <P> Lauren Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders . She first appeared on 3 July 2006 played by Madeline Duggan, was absent from 23 June to 27 September 2010, and returned as played by Jacqueline Jossa . In August 2014, Jossa announced that she was expecting her first child . In December 2014, Jossa filmed her final scenes prior to taking maternity leave, which aired on 24 February 2015, following the show's 30th anniversary celebrations . She returned temporarily on 14 September 2015 for her father's murder trial before departing again on 2 October 2015 . Lauren made a permanent return on 27 May 2016 . In September 2017, it was announced that Jossa and Lorna Fitzgerald, who plays Lauren's sister Abi, had been axed by creative director John Yorke, with Lauren and Abi set to depart during the Christmas period . </P> <P> Her storylines have included running over her father Max Branning (Jake Wood), alcoholism, supporting her mother Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner) through cervical cancer, her friendships with Lucy Beale (Melissa Suffield / Hetti Bywater) and Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), a relationship with her cousin Joey Branning (David Witts), an affair with a married alcoholic Jake Stone (Jamie Lomas), engagement to Peter Beale (Ben Hardy), struggling to deal with Lucy's murder, giving birth to Peter's son Louie, a relationship with Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell) following the ending of her relationship with Peter, becoming attracted to Max's boss Josh Hemmings (Eddie Eyre) who also becomes her own boss and having an abortion after becoming pregnant by Steven . </P> <P> The eldest child and daughter of Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner), Lauren moves to Walford with her parents and younger sister, Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) in July 2006 . In 2007, Lauren uncovers an affair between her father and half - brother Bradley Branning's (Charlie Clements) fiancée, Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), after accidentally filming them kissing on her video camera . Lauren burns the footage onto a DVD, which is played on Christmas Day, exposing Max and Stacey's affair to the Brannings, and resulting in the breakdown of Lauren's parents' marriage . Originally romantically involved with Peter Beale (Thomas Law), her best friend Lucy Beale's (Melissa Suffield) twin brother, Max disapproves of their relationship, and after ordering Peter to end the romance, throttles him after he retaliates when they have a secret meeting in the cafe . Shortly after, Max is left comatose following a planned hit - and - run . It is ultimately revealed that Lauren is the culprit, but Tanya decides to confess to the crime, and is imprisoned, pleading guilty to attempted murder . This distresses Lauren, who reveals her intentions to spare her mother facing a jail sentence . Lauren is later found guilty of GBH with intent, and is sentenced to two years under supervision . </P>

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