How will Jacqueline Jossa’s pregnancy affect EastEnders’ Lauren Branning?

Jacqueline Jossa is pregnant with her and Dan Osborne's baby - but how will it affect her EastEnders storyline?

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by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

Dan Osborne, 23, and Jacqueline Jossa, 21, who have been officially dating for several months, confirmed their happy baby news on Friday 15th August.

In a statement released by Dan's management, he said: “We are thrilled by our news. Becoming a father has been the most amazing thing to ever happen to me. I can’t believe I’m going to be a Dad again – I’m truly blessed.”

READ: TOWIE'S DAN OSBORNE AND JACQUELINE JOSSA ARE EXPECTING A BABY

A representative for EastEnders has also congratulated the mum-to-be, saying: "Everyone at EastEnders is thrilled for Jacqueline."

But how will her pregnancy affect Lauren Branning's storyline? We've taken a look at her character's current arc - and taken a look at some of the possibilities…

  1. Lauren Branning goes to prison
Did Lauren Branning murder Lucy Beale?
Did Lauren Branning murder Lucy Beale? ©BBC

According to our timeline, Jacqueline Jossa will be giving birth sometime around February 2015 - just in time for the show's 30th anniversary celebrations and the conclusion to the 'who killed Lucy Beale?' mystery. Does that mean Lauren could be heading to prison for the murder of her BFF?

READ: JACQUELINE JOSSA TEASES EASTENDERS PLOT SPOILERS

Judging by her role as amateur sleuth in previous episodes - and her insistence that ex-boyfriend Jake Stone was the killer - this seems unlikely. But, y'know, it IS Albert Square - anything can happen!

  1. Lauren Branning returns to rehab
lauren branning alcoholic
Could Lauren Branning fall off the wagon? ©BBC

Lauren Branning has had difficulties with drink in the past, battling her many demons with a little help from a vodka bottle - so perhaps the identity of Lucy Beale's killer could be what drives her back onto the path of self-destruction once again. Does this mean someone close to her - possibly Peter Beale or sister Abi - could be the culprit?

3) Lauren Branning becomes pregnant

Could Lauren be pregnant with Dean's baby?

We know she's going to sleep with Hot Dean (aka Shirley's son, Dean Wicks), so perhaps an unplanned pregnancy could be the result? It could be just the thing to make Dean take responsibility for his actions - but, then again, it would drive a wedge between Lauren and Peter Beale forever.

READ: EASTENDERS HUNK MATT DI ANGELO REVEALS HE LOVED FILMING BEDROOM SCENES WITH JACQUELINE JOSSA

Unless, of course, it turns out to be his baby…

  1. Lauren Branning goes to visit mum Tanya
Lauren Branning could go and visit mum Tanya for a while...

SEE: EASTENDERS FINALLY UNVEILS CRUCIAL LUCY BEALE EVIDENCE

Tanya (Jo Joyner) conveniently left Albert Square in June 2013 - meaning there is somewhere off-screen for Lauren to go stay for a while until her dramatic reappearance once Jac's maternity leave is up.

  1. Lauren Branning could be killed (although we really hope not!)
Could Lauren Branning be killed off, just like Lucy Beale?

We saw it happen in Coronation Street with Michelle Keegan's character Tina McIntyre - could EastEnders bosses have something similar in mind for Lauren Branning?

After all, there were rumours that Lucy Beale's killer had actually been trying to kill BFF and business partner Lauren and had got the wrong girl by mistake - maybe they're going to try again sometime soon?

What do you think is next for Lauren Branning?

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