EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa hints Lauren Branning could rekindle her romance with first love Peter Beale as she makes her explosive return to the Square

She will make her explosive return to Albert Square in the new year.

And EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa has hinted that Lauren Branning could rekindle her romance with on/off flame Peter Beale as she sensationally returns to Walford after a six-year break.

The actress reprises her role after a long absence in an explosive new storyline, and is joined by her cousin Penny Branning, played by Kitty Casteldine.

And in an interview ahead of her New Year's Day return scenes, Jacqueline revealed that Lauren is still furious with Peter for lying to her about Cindy Beale's whereabouts during her brief return in June.

She said: 'They are co-parents and they have a son together, so the relationship is amicable. “I think there's a lot of love there, and I don't think Lauren will ever lose it because Peter is her first love.”

Asked if there is any hope for them romantically, she added: “It's EastEnders so I have no idea if they can make it work, but the will/won't is fun, and the audience hopes that it will ever happen.

“But it's also an interesting choice to just have them co-parent, so I'd like to explore both.” I feel like Lauren and Peter just go together like peanut butter and jelly.”

Reflecting on her return to the soap earlier this year, Jacqueline said: 'It's strange because being back on EastEnders feels exactly the same and completely different at the same time! It's great to be back, and personally it was the perfect time for me to return. I've loved every minute so far and it feels like coming home.

“What's different is that there's a brand new Square set, because it's been rebuilt since I worked here before, and there's a lot of new people to get to know.

“I feel like I already have a connection with them, and it's only been a while, but it's amazing how quickly you feel like family with the people here.”

“There is still the unspoken and underlying fact that she is Max's daughter, and always will be. Lauren always fights against that to try to become a better person.

'She doesn't want to be like her father, and that's very clear. Louie is her main focus, and she is fiercely protective of him.

“I want to say she loses less head, but I don't know if that's true!” I think she can navigate it a little differently.

“She's grown up a bit, she's not that 20-year-old girl who yells and screams at everyone. That's still in the mix, though.”

The actress reprises her role after a long absence in an explosive new storyline following a brief appearance alongside star Thomas Law – who plays Peter – this summer (pictured)

in an interview ahead of her New Year's Day return scenes, Jacqueline revealed that Lauren is still furious with Peter, as she returns to Albert Square with her cousin Penny.

EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw also hinted that Lauren's return will help bring back some of the family drama the soap is best known for.

Jacqueline was just 17 when she joined EastEnders in 2010 and was at the center of shocking storylines including Lauren's battle with alcoholism and brush with death in 2017.

Since her departure in 2018, Jacqueline has appeared on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! where she was crowned Queen of the Jungle and signed a £1million deal with In The Style.

Lauren Branning's return to EastEnders airs on New Year's Day on BBC One and iPlayer.