BBC EastEnders' Penny Branning's tragic past explained as Jack's daughter returns to soap

Fans of BBC soap EastEnders are preparing to say goodbye to a legend. Actress Tameka Empson, who brings Kim Fox to life on screen, is temporarily exiting Albert Square as she embarks on an exciting new adventure. On Monday's edition of The One Show, 22 January, Tameka shared the news of her departure, assuring fans: "Kim's gonna be okay! She's gonna be ok - she's going on a nice cruise with Howie and the children.

James Alexandrou, who played the original Martin Fowler, has revealed he will soon be stepping foot back in Walford 17 years on from his exit as the 38-year-old takes on a new role on EastEnders.

EastEnders viewers were treated to some super tense moments in Thursday night's episode as Sam Mitchell left Albert Square after causing carnage at the Queen Vic After learning that she had been left a staggering £100,000 in her Aunt Sal's will - along with Phil and Grant's share - she confronted brother Phil to demand her share of the money. Unimpressed when he refused to hand it over, she decided to resort to blackmail after discovering that Phil had cheated on his wife Kat - something she learned from Alfie Moon.

EastEnders' Natalie Cassidy has revealed she is feeling 'very ill' and has had to take time off from filming on the BBC One soap, throwing filming into chaos. She shared on Instagram: "Poorly.The only time I will ever get to watch the South Bank Show Originals.

EastEnders' Denise Fox might be leaving the show soon, as fans have spotted a clue that could signal her exit. Denise recently left some important evidence at the place where Keanu Taylor's body was buried, which could lead the police straight to her. The Six, including Denise, Kathy Beale, Sharon Watts, Suki Panesar, Stacey Slater and Linda Carter, were seen hiding Keanu's body under the floor of the burnt-out café.

Hot on the heels of this year’s explosive Christmas whodunnit storyline, EastEnders fans have high hopes for the soap’s 40th anniversary next year after several eagled eyed fans claim to have spotted proof that two characters will be returning from the dead. According to fans, Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell could be making a come back, despite having being killed off on screen! Of course, death has never been a barrier to other characters from returning, with Dirty Den Watts, Kathy Beale and Cindy Beale all having returned to the soap after previously being killed on the soap.

EastEnders fans were left incredibly disappointed as their favourite BBC soap was unfortunately pulled from today's schedule, 16 January. BBC bosses chose to remove the serial drama from its usual slot as a result of scheduling conflicts.

EastEnders fans have been left cringing over Penny Branning's (Kitty Castledine) nickname for her dad Jack (Scott Maslen). Following her dramatic return to Albert Square, Penny has been referring to her dad as "Big Man Jack", something that fans have complained has left them feeling rather grossed out.Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one viewer complained: "'Big man Jack' is not cute. It’s a really weird name to give your own dad.

EastEnders actor Matt Di Angelo has celebrated a huge anniversary on the soap, after first appearing in Albert Square in his iconic role of Dean Wicks 18 years ago. On January 2, a fan account on Twitter marked the milestone anniversary with a tribute post featuring a collage of snaps from Matt's first episode. In the caption, they said: "18 years ago today (2nd January 2006), @matt_diangelo made his first ever appearance on @bbceastenders #EastEnders." The 36 year old actor first graced our screens in 2006 as Pat Butcher's great-nephew, causing all sorts of trouble from spiking Stacey Slater's drinks to framing Sean Slater for a crime he didn't commit and even assaulting Linda Carter.

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 appeared to accidentally air a swear word during its recent New Year's Day episode. The pre-watershed BBC soap found itself in an awkward blunder as the F-word was broadcast while a group of Walford residents were seen clubbing to bring in 2024.

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 fans were thrilled with Jacqueline Jossa's big comeback as Lauren Branning in a surprising turn of events. Lauren has been living in Paris, France with her cousin Penny Branning, but during the latest episode, she decides to reconnect with her former flame Peter Beale and makes her way back to Walford. Even though Peter is out and about meeting all the ladies of Walford, Lauren seems to still hold a torch for him, despite previously swearing off seeing him again after his lies relating to Cindy.

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.

Jacqueline Jossa, who shot to fame playing troubled teen Lauren Branning on EastEnders in 2010, has become one of the nation's favourite celebs. With her loving husband Dan Osborne and their two daughters, the former Queen of the Jungle often gives her 3.4 million Instagram followers a peek into her lovely life as she prepares to return to the soap over the festive season, with scenes in Paris, France being shown on New Year's Day 2024. We look at all the hurdles the star has jumped over on her way to becoming the nation's darling.

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.