BBC EastEnders legend 'gutted' as they're forced to pull out of panto hours before going on stage

Linda Carter is set for more drama in EastEnders following the return of Lauren Branning, who will soon uncover the truth about baby Annie's paternity. Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) made her highly anticipated return to EastEnders on New Year's Day, but didn't quite make it to Albert Square after being arrested in the airport. However, she will soon be released after cousin Penny Branning's (Kitty Castledine) confession.

Since first arriving on our screens last Summer, it’s safe to say that George Knight hasn’t had the easiest time in EastEnders after finding out his wife, Rose Knight, was actually Cindy Beale all along. Yet while he appeared to have been able to take the revelation in his stride, one truth that may break the famed boxer completely is the news that his adoptive parents had been paid to take him in.

EastEnders' Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) is set to make a big decision in tonight's episode following her shocking pregnancy news.The character confides in Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) after a fallout with her partner Zack Hudson (James Farrar), ahead of her departure from the popular BBC soap. Last year, Whitney and Zack were heartbroken when they discovered their unborn baby girl had Edwards' syndrome. Despite starting the process of termination, Whitney gave birth to their daughter Peach 18 weeks into the pregnancy.

EastEnders' Penny Branning made a dramatic comeback to the BBC soap this week, but who is she and what's her story? Penny is Jack Branning's daughter and has been off-screen since 2008. She uses a wheelchair as she is paralysed from the waist down, a fact revealed during her first stint on the show. Not everyone knew about Penny, even though she adored her dad.

EastEnders fan-favourite Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney Dean on the BBC soap, has opened up on making one of the "hardest decisions" of her life as she announced the devastating news she had to put her dog down. The actress, who was thought to be secretly engaged to her former co-star Harry Reid, explained to her fans on Instagram that her beloved pet pooch had been battling heart failure for years, and she'd tried everything. Sadly, despite being there for her canine buddy throughout all the highs and lows and varying medical treatment, it was sadly the end of the road for Coco Chanel.

EastEnders star Max Bowden, who plays Ben Mitchell, has had quite the love life off-screen with links to a co-star and Love Island contestant. Max, 28, has played the role of Ben on EastEnders since 2019 but will soon be waving goodbye to Albert Square as BBC confirmed his departure. His final scenes are thought to air in the coming weeks with his departure this year reportedly leaving the show's bosses unsure whether to keep the character of Ben Mitchell in the soap at all.

Rita Simons has sparked concern among her fans, after sharing that she has not been eating or sleep properly over the last few weeks. The former EastEnders star, 46, took to Instagram on New Year's Day, where she shared a video clip of a vitamin IV drip being administered into her arm.

Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) made a dramatic return to Albert Square, alongside her son Louie Beale, with fans quick to notice that the youngster has been recast. Last year Louie appeared as part of Cindy Beale's (Michelle Collins) return, as it emerged that she was living in France with husband Ian (Adam Woodyatt) and son Peter (Thomas Law), who is Louie's father. In this storyline, the eight year old was played by Freddie Harrington, but now Jake McNally is in the role.

An EastEnders star has told how he was 'mortified' by having to do nude scenes in a role before achieving fame on the BBC soap. Ben Hardy, who celebrates his 33rd birthday today, Tuesday 2 January, played Peter Beale from 2013 to 2015, before actor Thomas Law's return to the role. But prior to his soap career, the star of Bohemian Rhapsody took on one of his most challenging roles.

EastEnders star Michelle Collins has been left stranded in Spain after jetting off to celebrate the New Year.The actress, 61, who recently returned to the role of Cindy Beale, was left asking for help after she lost her passport while abroad.Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Michelle reached out to EasyJet as she tried to work out a way back to the UK. She wrote: "Please @easyJet can you help me I have lost my passport at Malaga airport the police (I have been there ) say it is up to the airline to let me fly home, my flight is at 8:30 pm tonight I am heading to the airport having just left the police station .Thank you Michele x" Returning to social media, Michelle then followed this with: "Nobody is very helpful @easyJet this is awful" She later shared that she had not be allowed to fly, writing: "Thank you most of you for your helpful comments.

EastEnders star Brian Conley has finally spoken out after his character, Rocky Cotton, was arrested and said an emotional farewell in Friday's episode. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the 62 year old actor had decided to leave the popular BBC One soap, two years after joining in 2021.

EastEnders star Max Bowden has spoken out after news of his emotional exit from the BBC soap following four years playing fan favourite Ben Mitchell.

EastEnders writer Daran Little has responded to fans upset about Max Bowden's character Ben Mitchell's shocking exit. It was confirmed by the BBC that actor Max, who has played the role of Ben since 2019, will be leaving EastEnders next year. His last scenes are expected to air in the next few weeks with his departure reportedly leaving the show's bosses unsure whether to keep the character of Ben Mitchell in the soap at all.

In one of the EastEnders longest running storylines, there were plenty of hints on who would be murdered. Almost a full year ago, in January 2023, fans were told a character would be murdered at Christmas time on the Square. Characters Suki Panesar, Stacey Slayer, Kathy Beale, Sharon Watts, Denise Fox, and Linda Carter, were all towering over the mystery body in The Queen Vic in the teaser clip.

EastEnders fans were left puzzled after a major plot hole was spotted following Keanu's shocking Christmas death. On Christmas Day, viewers watched as Linda Carter killed Keanu Taylor for trying to strangle Sharon Watts after she wouldn't let him see Albie. It came after Sharon called off the wedding having learnt that Keanu was a part of the kidnapping plot for Albie, reports The Mirror.

EastEnders has announced the death of another character following the shocking murder of Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) with the Mitchells set to face a big loss, leaving one character deeply affected. This follows the Christmas Day tragedy in Walford, which ended with Keanu getting stabbed by Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) as he attempted to strangle Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean). But this won't be the only tragedy to hit Albert Square in the coming weeks, according to the MirrorOnline.

Former EastEnders actress Shana Swash has announced that she welcomed her first child just days before Christmas. Announcing the new arrival, Shana, 33, shared a black-and-white photo of the newborn on her Instagram page, where she shared the tot's name, simply captioning the snap: "Kitty Frances Swash Jones [white heart emoji] 18.12.2023." Fans were quick to share messages of congratulations, with one writing: "Beautiful name for a perfect little girl congratulations." While another added: "She’s beautiful, huge congratulations to you all! Love her name xx" "ohh congrats! So delighted for you! Biggest hugs and love" penned a third, while a fourth said: "Massive Congrats @shana_swash She's divine! Sx" Over the summer, Shana who is the younger sister of Joe Swash announced she and fiancé Nick Jones were expecting their first child.

EastEnders star Scott Maslen, who plays the iconic Jack Branning in the BBC soap, took to Instagram to share some sweet moments from his Christmas, along with a rarely seen snap where he packed on the PDA with his DJ wife, Estelle Rubio. The couple, who exchanged vows in a gorgeous ceremony in 2008, looked happier than ever as they cuddled up for a kiss in front of a Christmas tree. Scott looked cosy in a beige knitted jumper, while he wife looked stylish in a white vest with silver detailing.

TV fans have been experiencing deja-vu after recent episodes of EastEnders saw six of the Square's female residents team up to dispose of a body after a shocking murder storyline. On Christmas Day, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) stabbed Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) as he strangled her best friend Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), just moments after Denise Fox (Diane Parish) had hit Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) with a wine bottle after he attacked his wife Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal).

EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley may have bid farewell to Walford in recent weeks, but it isn’t the only thing the much loved actress has said goodbye to, as she recently revealed she had quit booze for good. Marking her first sober Christmas since her teenage years, Lorraine shared the milestone occasion with her fans on social media as she reflected on her Christmas Day including what it had been like without a glass of alcohol to wash it down.