Kirsty's baby lie is revealed

EastEnders airs the moment that fans have been waiting for next week as Kirsty Branning's baby lie is finally exposed in dramatic scenes.

Kirsty (Kierston Wareing) has spent the past few weeks desperately pretending to be pregnant, believing that it was the only way she could keep hold of her husband Max.

Next week, Max (Jake Wood) is shocked to the core as he finally learns that Kirsty has been deceiving him all along.

Show bosses are keeping quiet over exactly how Max finds out the truth, but viewers will see that he is livid over Kirsty's deception.

Max learns that Kirsty is not pregnant.

Max walks out on Kirsty.

Kirsty's worst nightmare comes true as a furious Max immediately declares that he doesn't want to be with her anymore and storms out of their flat.

Max's next move is to pay a visit to his ex-partner Tanya (Jo Joyner), wanting another chance as he believes they have a future now that he has seen Kirsty's true colours.

In a final twist, however, Tanya is already planning to leave Walford and Max is left devastated as he realises that there's no way of talking her round this time.

Tanya's exit storyline revealed

Tanya Cross's exit from EastEnders will come after she blames herself for the problems of her alcoholic daughter Lauren.

Lauren's drinking storyline comes to a shocking climax next week as she starts experiencing agonising pains and is rushed into hospital.

After some tests are carried out, the full extent of Lauren's problem stuns everyone as the doctors reveal that her liver is extremely damaged and any further alcohol could kill her.

Lauren collapses in agony.

Lauren lies in hospital seriously ill.

Lauren and Tanya are given bad news.

Lauren is in a dangerous condition.

Unfortunately for the Brannings, it seems that there is no easy solution for Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) as she still wants another drink as soon as she returns home to the Square.

When Max and Tanya argue over how best to handle the situation, it's the final straw for Lauren and she begs them to stop. Lauren adds that she's had to put up with their dramas for years and can't take it anymore.

Alone with Lauren, Tanya (Jo Joyner) faces further heartbreak as her wayward daughter accuses her of ruining her life.

Tanya is surprised by what Lauren has to say.

Lauren's words have a huge impact on Tanya as she later starts packing her suitcase, having made a drastic decision on what to do next.

EastEnders won't be revealing the full details of Tanya's plan until the episodes air, but as this is her exit storyline, it does involve her bowing out from the Square.

Abi walks in on Tanya packing her suitcase.

Tanya's decision is particularly heartbreaking for Max, who wants a reunion with her after uncovering his wife Kirsty's baby lie.

A determined Tanya urges Max to accept that she's doing the right thing, as they've become toxic together and it's affecting their children.

Max eventually realises that Tanya - the real love of his life - is not going to change her mind. Will he be able to keep the rest of his family together, or will they decide to leave alongside Tanya?

Mimi Keene to join soap as Beale Junior

EastEnders character Cindy Beale was killed off in 1998 - but her wild child Cindy junior is set to make a big splash when she makes her screen debut in August.

Cindy Beale Junior, played by actress Mimi Keene, is 14 years old and will visit the square to stay with her father Ian, played by Adam Woodyatt, for the summer.

However he will discover that she has no intention of going back to Devon to live with her aunt once the school holidays are over.

New face on Albert Square: Cindy Beale Junior, played by actress Mimi Keene, makes her EastEnders debut in August

Cindy has inherited the Italian looks of her mother’s lover Nick Holland, and some of her mother’s wild ways. The original Cindy, played by Michelle Collins, hired a hitman to shoot Ian in 1996.

She had Cindy while she was in prison for the crime, and junior was brought up in Devon by Cindy’s sister Gina Williams (previously played by Nicola Cowper).

 

After spending time with her half-brother Peter in Devon, Cindy is keen to meet her half-sister Lucy (Hetti Bywater) and Ian’s son Bobby (Rory Stroud). So she arrives to stay with the Beales for the summer holidays.

Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) and Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) in 1996 before her death in prison giving birth to Cindy junior

Keene to impress: Mimi plays Cindy Jr

Described as a ‘magnet for trouble’ Cindy Jr also yearns to be embraced by the family she should have grown up in.

Soap boss Lorraine Newmann said: ‘Cindy is cheeky and hugely likeable, there’s never a dull moment when she’s around.

‘Cindy has no fears or inhibitions and she often ends up in hot water as a result. It’s only a matter of time before she begins to stir up trouble in Albert Square.’

Mimi Keene’s previous credits include Our Girl and Sadie J, and has appeared onstage at London's prestigious Royal Court theatre.

Newman added: ‘Mimi is an exciting addition to the show and a great actress as her previous work has shown.

'Cindy’s a minx, creating a great energy within the newly reformed Beale clan.

'With Peter, Lucy, Bobby and Cindy to contend with, it’ll be a lively household, Ian and Denise will certainly have their work cut out.’

Keene’s first episode as Cindy transmits in August on BBC One.

EastEnders is struggling in the ratings, having fallen 2million behind ITV rival Coronation Street.

Mome media pundits have taken this new casting as a sign of desperation for the show's writers to inject some drama.

Cindy Junior previously appeared on screen as a baby in 1998, and also made a brief appearance in 2007 with Eva Sayer playing the part of Cindy as an 11-year-old.

Here comes trouble!

One thing is guaranteed whenever castmembers leave Albert Square and one thing only - drama.
And as exclusive first look images reveal from an upcoming EastEnders episode, tempers are set to fly as Peter Beale, Dexter Hatman, Jay Brown, Lola Pearce and Abi Branning go for a country drive.
Things go off road and the group's car gets stuck fast in the mud with the boys desperately trying to free the vehicle.

What are you doing, mate? Tensions run high in an upcoming episode of EastEnders as Dexter, Jay, Lola, Peter and Abi find themselves stuck in the mud during a country drive

As tension mounts as the group realise they are far from home, things are only going to get worse before they get better.

Struggling to free the car, it is poor Lola who suffers the worst fate - as she gets drenched in mud during the debacle.
No doubt her friends will be amused by her situation, but a BBC insider says that her character is left far from amused by her situation.

Boys to the rescue? Abi and Lola stand back as Dexter and Peter try to free the vehicle

Got beef? Lola appears to give Dexter a bit of attitude as she grows frustrated by the situation

The group all get on relatively well on screen with Jay and Dexter working together at the garage owned by Phil Mitchell.
Peter Beale recently returned to the fictional setting of Walford having been away from home since 2010.
New actor Ben Hardy took on the role when Peter returned to EastEnders this month.

Splattered: Unluckily for Lola, she gets covered in mud as the drama unfolds

Push and pull: Jay sits behind the wheel as Peter tries to push the car to safety

His character can be seem in the stills attempting to free the car by pushing it, and the actor is fooling around on set in between takes.
It marks the first location shoot Ben has taken part in since joining the long-running soap - and his arrival has been heralded as injecting a bit of sex appeal for female viewers.
'I can't wait to step into the shoes of a character with so much history and am looking forward to getting stuck in,' he said upon joining - which seems apt as his character has become stuck in... the mud.

Joking around: Ben Hardy - who plays Peter - jokes around on set between takes of the hit BBC soap

Walford's newest addition: Ben Hardy will take over the well-known role of Peter Beale in EastEnders as of June 7

In a bid to inject some new talent into the long-running soap, producers have signed the new actor just months after his on-screen twin sister Lucy Beale was recast with Hetti Bywater in the role.

 

Peter has been absent from screens since his departure just over two years ago, when he was seen leaving Albert Square to go and stay with his grandmother in Devon, after falling out with dad Ian Beale.
His return is sure to set pulses racing if the new pictures of actor Ben are anything to go by, perhaps providing some competition for David Witts and Tony Disipline.

Taking over: Ben (L) will replace Thomas Law (R) who played the character from 2006 until his departure in 2010

'EastEnders' Gary Lucy: 'Danny will make a bee-line for Janine'

EastEnders star Gary Lucy has revealed that his character Danny Pennant will make a bee-line for Janine Butcher.

Viewers will see Danny return to the Walford soap tonight (June 7) as he attends the grand opening of Ian Beale's new restaurant.

Gary Lucy as Danny Pennant

Lucy had previously hinted that a new romance could be on the cards for Danny.

Speaking to Kate Garraway on ITV's Lorraine, Lucy said: "He comes in tonight and he makes a bee-line for Charlie Brooks's character Janine.

"I think he sees that she's the one with the money on the Square and there's a little bit of chemistry there. I think he's interested in tapping into her.

"Obviously Masood is from the storyline last year where Danny had a fling with the character Syed, so Masood isn't too pleased to see him."

Lister introduces Danny to Ian in 'EastEnders'

Lucy also revealed that he was pleased to get the opportunity to return to the show as he felt there was more to explore with Danny.

He said: "We had spoke about it, but there was nothing confirmed. I think it would have been a real shame [if he hadn't] because I felt that it was a great opportunity for me to play such a different kind of character - quite complex.

"I think there was so much more to be explored there, and hopefully over the coming weeks and months, there should be."

'EastEnders' Jo Joyner: 'Tanya could be killed off-screen'

EastEnders star Jo Joyner has admitted that she doesn't take it for granted that her character Tanya Cross could return in the future.

The actress has decided to bow out from her soap role indefinitely as she wants to pursue new projects and spend more time with her young children.

Jo Joyner as Tanya Branning.

Show bosses have indicated that the door will be left open for Tanya, but Joyner told This Morning today (June 7) that plans at EastEnders can change quickly.

She laughed: "You just don't know with soap, do you? Another producer could come along and I could just get killed off-screen! Who knows?"

Joyner will have time off this summer before starting work on Sky Living comedy Trying Again in the autumn.

Reflecting on her decision, she explained: "I think I'm trying to search for what all women who are working are trying to search for - that balance, really. It was all a little bit work-heavy for the past couple of years. My kids don't start school for another year, so I thought, 'This is it now'.

"It's a hard decision but I think I'm already feeling it. I've had three weeks off with my kids, moving back to the country and I'm already feeling like it was the right decision."

Lauren and Tanya

Tanya's departure from Walford will tie in closely with her daughter Lauren's ongoing drinking problem.

Teasing her final scenes, Joyner said: "I have to say, they are fantastic. Jacqueline Jossa who plays Lauren is wonderful. She's a wonderful actress. Both of my 'kids' are. Lorna [Fitzgerald] and Jac have been fabulous and you're going to love watching it."

'EastEnders' Peter Beale actor Ben Hardy: 'Kissing scenes are a doddle'

EastEnders star Ben Hardy has revealed that he won't be fazed by his character's kissing scenes.

Hardy, who plays the newly cast Peter Beale, isn't worried about taking his top off on the soap either.

Ben Hardy as Peter Beale

Hardy told The Sun: "This is my first telly role but I've done countless kissing scenes in the past.

"The last play I did, I was naked, simulating sex! So for me a kissing scene on EastEnders will be a doddle.

"I've got my first topless scene coming up. I won't be stepping out the shower yet, it's more taking my T-shirt off to help a young lady. That's all I can say."

Hardy also admitted that he has already had his first on-screen fight with David Witts, who plays Joey Branning.

Hardy said: "We went for it. You don't want to go too far, but if you don't go far enough it's rubbish."

Peter and Lauren in EastEnders

Next week's episodes will see Peter take troubled Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) on a date. The pair previously had a relationship when they were much younger but Peter is unaware of Lauren's alcohol troubles.

"It's going to be very different for Peter when he meets Lauren again - he's never seen her as an alcoholic.

"Tanya tries to get Lauren and Peter back together, she thinks he'll be a good influence because he's a good boy. But the alcohol causes problems. It goes pear-shaped very quickly due to drinking."

Ex-Emmerdale star investigated

A former Emmerdale actor is being investigated over claims he raped a 13-year-old boy at his home in the early 1970s.The star is said to have lured the boy to his house by promising he would meet famous actors and agents at a party that night.
The alleged victim has given statements to detectives investigating the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal.

An ex-Emmerdale star is being investigated over claims he raped a 13-year-old boy at his home in the early 1970s

Detectives investigating the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal have taken statements from a man who claims he was sexually assaulted at the actor's home

He is said to have told police that he was on his way to watch an amateur dramatics production in the village where he grew up when the actor pulled up in his car and asked the boy if he knew who he was.
The man claims he was handed a £5 note and invited to the party by the actor before getting in to the car with him and driving to a house, according to the newspaper.

The alleged victim told officers that he was pinned down by three men there before the actor raped him.
He claims he blacked out following the assault and was thrown out of the house naked, before his clothes were thrown after him and he walked home in shock.
The man told police that it is the first time he has spoken about the incident and has found relationships difficult since the encounter.

The man made the allegations to Operation Yewtree officers investigating Jimmy Savile

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman told the Sunday Mirror: 'We have received an allegation of child sexual ­offences from the 1970s.
'Enquiries are on­going.'
The claims against the former Emmerdale actor are the latest allegations against high-profile figures from the entertainment world since Savile's offences were revealed.
On Friday, soap star Bill Roache was charged with sexually assaulting four girls, one as young as 11, in the late 1960s.
A month before, the Coronation Street actor, who plays Ken Barlow, was charged with twice raping a schoolgirl in 1967.
Fellow Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell, who plays mechanic Kevin Webster, is also currently off air after being charged with 19 sexual offences against a child, including rape, indecent assault and sexual activity.
He denies the charges, which are not linked to Roache.
This week, former Radio 1 DJ Chris Denning was arrested and bailed by Savile detectives on suspicion of 'historic allegations' of sexual offences.
It is understood he is not accused of any offences with Savile, a former colleague.
Last month, the Mail revealed that comedian Jim Davidson is being investigated by Operation Yewtree officers over claims he indecently assaulted a woman in the Falkland Islands in the 1980s during a concert tour.
The attack is alleged to have happened while the former Generation Game host was entertaining British troops stationed there after the Falklands conflict.

Coronation Street actors Michael Le Vell, left, and Bill Roache, right, have been charged with child sex offences

Davidson, 59, was originally arrested in January over alleged sex offences in the UK. He denies all the allegations.
Other arrested celebrities include entertainer Rolf Harris, DJ Dave Lee Travis and comedian Freddie Starr. Disgraced pop star Glitter has also been detained.

They deny any wrongdoing.
PR guru Max Clifford has been charged with 11 historic counts of indecent assault against teenage girls.
The 70-year-old has vowed to clear his name, labelling the allegations ‘a load of n

Gillian Taylforth's former drug baron boyfriend David Fairbairn arrested

She recently relocated to Liverpool after bagging a role in Hollyoaks.
But it seems that Gillian Taylforth may have more on her mind than getting to grips with a new job, as her former drugs baron boyfriend David Fairbairn was reportedly arrested in the early hours of Friday morning.
the 57-year-old spent a night behind bars after he was stopped for drink-driving and later allegedly assaulted a police officer.

'Arrested': Gillian Taylforth's boyfriend David Fairbairn has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of drunk-driving and assaulting a police officer

The former EastEnders actress, also 57, is said to have been with him at the time as was her 14-year-old son Harrison, driving home after a birthday party for her Hollyoaks co-star Ayden Callaghan.

 

He is alleged to have resisted arrest after failing a roadside breathalyser test, culminating in him spending a night in the cells.
Despite keeping a relatively low profile as a couple, Gillian spoke out about her love for the former jailbird during her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother earlier in the year.

'Night in the cells': The former drugs baron, is alleged to have spent a night behind bars after the arrest

Smitten: Gillian admitted how besotted she was with her other half when she appeared on Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year

They met through friends after the breakdown of the actress' 23-year relationship with ex-fiancé Geoff Knights back in 2009 and have been together for nearly a year.
David even came to cheer on his other half at the Channel 5 studios during her stint, as a source at the time revealed that she was 'smitten with him.'
The star, best known for her role as Kathy Beale in the BBC One soap, started dating the former stockbroker just a few years after he served time for importing one of the biggest ecstasy hauls ever seized in the UK.
He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2003, after being found guilty of plotting to import and supply Class A drugs at Bristol Crown Court, but served just seven years of his sentence.
At the time of the court case, it was the biggest drugs raid in history after police found 839,500 ecstasy tablets worth an estimated £7.5million.
Previously based in Oxfordshire, David relocated to Surrey after his release, before meeting actress Gillian just a couple of years later.
Gillian has recently joined the cast of the Channel 4 soap, taking on the role of Sandy Roscoe, who is a mother-of-five.

New role: Gillian has just joined the cast of Hollyoaks in the role of matriarch Sandy Roscoe

'Kirsty can see Lauren is an alcoholic'

EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa has revealed that Lauren's stepmother Kirsty Branning is very aware she has a drinking problem.

Lauren's drinking continues to spiral out of control in the coming weeks, causing her dad Max (Jake Wood) and his wife Kirsty (Kierston Wareing) to take action.

Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning

Kierston Wareing as Kirsty Branning

Jossa said  "Lauren doesn't see it as a problem. She believes she is only drinking as much as anyone else.

"She doesn't become aware of how intense her problem is but Kirsty does. Kirsty knows addiction and can spot the signs but Lauren is like 'No'.

"Kirsty makes Max realise that Lauren needs help."

Jossa also admits that Lauren is relieved when Max tries to get her back on the straight and narrow.

Lauren and Max in EastEnders

Jossa said: "Lauren's annoyed that Tanya thinks she needs to be locked up because in her head, she can stop drinking whenever she wants.

"She sees Max is on her side, which is nice, but that is too much pressure on her. He will try and make her stop drinking and she doesn't think she can.

"She fears she will let everyone down."

Wretch 32: 'I want to reunite Kat and Alfie on EastEnders'

Wretch 32 has revealed that he wants a role on EastEnders.

The 'Blackout' singer told Bang Showbiz that he would love to reunite Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie (Shane Richie).

Wretch 32

"I'm still waiting for EastEnders to holler," he quipped. "I don't know what's going on. I don't know how many tweets I have to tweet, how many episodes I have to watch.

''I could do a gig in the Queen Vic, try to get Kat and Alfie back together. Get her head straight, whatever. Maybe something in the cafe? Get a sandwich. There's loads of things I could do on there.''

He added: "I hear my songs in there, which is good, and to be honest, I get a little bit excited when I hear that. I could at least play myself and they could come and high five me and I could go and get a drink in the Queen Vic or something.''

Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace as Kat and Alfie

Richie recently said of Alfie's relationship with Kat: "I found out a little bit of what might be happening over the next few months. We're in for a big ride between now and Christmas.

"Of course we'd love another ten years of Kat and Alfie, there are genuinely exciting times ahead. I do miss working with Jessie."

He continued: "I always think the best stories are the slow burners that take time."

'Who will win this year’s award for Most Miserable Character In EastEnders?'

Who will win this year’s award for Most Miserable Character In EastEnders? Forget ‘Sexiest Female.’ It’s the most fiercely fought over, prestigious title in soap.
Competition is rife as the main contenders are basically the entire population of Walford. Occasionally, there has been a runaway winner – when Ian Beale became a tramp for example, or whenever Tanya’s sister Rainie turns up. Then the others don’t even bovver.
Then there was the time Ben Mitchell changed heads, transforming from a cute version of The Milky Bar Kid into someone so unpleasant he made Phil look cuddly. Ben’s life was ruined when he had to tell Phil that he liked musicals more than boxing, and then murdered ‘’Ev’’.

Much to the amazement of Abi (centre), Lauren (right) tells Kirsty (left) that SHE is the most miserable girl in Walford

This week, Lauren and Kirsty stepped up their campaigns to win this year’s award. There is a theory in life that more looks mean less problems – a philosophy that Lauren and Kirsty, being two of the better looking birds in Walford, appear determined to test fairly rigorously.
Kirsty spent the week moping and moaning, as she has done since she got the one thing she (supposedly) wanted most in the ‘weld’, taking Max back off Tan’.

Kirsty might have her detractors (not to mention alarmingly large lips and only one pair of earrings) but you might think she would have a few better options than she has currently. She’s working in The Vic, is married to Max, and been living in Kim’s B&B – all things that suggest you’ve hit the skids.

Kirsty's main problem is that she has told Max that she is pregnant when she ain't

Kirsty’s main problem is that she has told Max that she is pregnant when she ain’t. Kirsty is tormented about this, but not enough to just tell Max the troof like any normal person would.
This week she even had a panic attack, although she might have been faking to avoid a scan, in which case she is actually a better actress than most of the cast.
Kirsty can usually be found hanging around in the caff with the weight of the world and her gigantic earrings dragging her down. She reached a new low when even Billy Mitchell told Max she looked miserable.

Kirsty is tormented about this, but not enough to just tell Max the troof like any normal person would

Tanya also felt sorry for her when she found Kirsty sobbing ostentatiously in to her coffee. (Kirsty does everything ostentatiously.) ‘Everything all right ?’ Tanya asked. ‘Why wouldn’t it be ?!’ Kirsty growled from under her extensions.
‘There’s nothing wrong with the bay-bay is there ?' ‘Oh you’d love that wouldn’t you ?’ Kirsty snarled, before accepting that, to be fair, not even Tanya would want a bay-bay to die.
‘You know, whatever else I say about Max, he is a really, really good dad,’ Tanya tried to reassure her – even though this was totally untrue. Every time she’s about to tell Max that she’s been lying about the pregnancy, Max launches, uncharacteristically, into a speech.

Slightly improbably no-one has asked Lauren out since she broke up with Joey. Then again she is a raving alcoholic

‘I’m in for the long ‘aul,’ he’ll swear romantically. ‘It’s you, me and baby Branning.’ God help us - especially Baby Branning.

‘I wanted everything to be so perfect. Now it never will be,’ Kirsty remarked gravely to herself, a line you could imagine virtually any female character in the history of EastEnders saying – except Kirsty, who went beyond such soppy sentiment when she was about 14.
Other movers on the Misery front were Alice – ostensibly the nicest, brightest character in the show, and her creepy cupboard of stolen goods (gravy, toilet brush etc) and Kim who decided not to move to the apparently posh environs of Woodford with Ray who took the traditional cab ride to obscurity alone.

   Lauren is woken up by her muvver Tanya with a glass water rather than her usual preference - vodka

As predicted, the more that Ava told Sam ‘you’re not wanted around here. Not by Dexter, not by me...’ the closer she came to forgiving him 20 years of abandonment and inexplicably kissing him.

‘I hear him laugh and all of a sudden I’m in some squat in Croydon,’ she confessed, as if this explained everything. ‘Every time I hear his laugh...’ ‘You forget what he did to you ?!’ Cora interrupted, pointing out the ridiculousness of the plot.
Among the more boring storylines padding the week out were Dot’s anxiety about becoming churchwarden and her make over. ‘Style is what wins hearts...No-one cares what comes out of David Cameron’s mouth as long as he looks good.’

Abi (left) enjoys a rare loving moment with her sister Lauren when she is sober 

This piece of penetrating political analysis came courtesy of all people, Poppy who is usually treated as the local airhead, but swayed Dot by citing Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Clinton and Jackie O. Hey it could ‘appen.
Lola’s social worker topped this by uttering the immortal line: ‘Lola, have you ever heard the expression ‘it takes a whole village to raise a child ?’ Only if it was on The Jeremy Kyle Show...
‘It’s an old African proverb.’
No wonder Lola looked somewhere between blank, although this is her usual expression. Eventually, the writers moved on, accepting that Lauren is not only the most realistic character in the series but the best-looking and concentrating on her.

Lucy makes a drunken pass at Joey before remembering he's her cousin. And then remembering it doesn't make any difference

You might think it is slightly improbable that no-one has asked Lauren out since she broke up with Joey. Then again she is a raving alcoholic. This week Tanya took drastic action, asking the staff at the Queen Vic and the mini-mart to stop serving her.
‘If Lauren’s going to get wasted, she’s going to find a way,’ Denise pointed out. Even Lauren seemed aware of this. ‘This ain’t the only place you can get a drink !’ she complained when Kirsty refused to sell her a drink.
That said, she spent most of the week going back and forward between them, confirming there are no other supermarkets, pubs or shops for miles around. With no money to buy alcohol, she gate-crashed Kim’s party and fell in Kim’s cake. ‘I’m so sorry,’ cried Tan’. ‘I’ll pay for any damage.’ (It’s a CAKE.)

Billy (left) senses it's not going well as Lola's social worker (right) tests Lola's knowledge of African proverbs 

Lauren then stole from Cora and Dot, demonstrating how unhappy she was by drinking her wine straight from the bottle. At one point it seemed Abi had broken through to her. ‘You always seem to make the right decisions,’ Lauren sighed.
‘So do you ! Sometimes. Well, you are trying,’ Abi encouraged her. (None of the above.) Things went horribly wrong though when Lauren realised that Cora and her mum were comparing her to Rainie – which is a pretty horrible thing to say about anyone even if it is true.
When Lucy taunted her about her drinking and the fact that she was a novelty for Joey – ‘not being related’, Lauren promptly floored her with an impressive right ‘ander. She then armed herself with something from a table.

Other movers on the Misery front were Alice - ostensibly the nicest, brightest character in the show

Joey implored her to step away from the sugar but she instead she hurled it through the window of the caff – the kind of feat you can only achieve when you’re well and truly plastered. Appropriately, Lauren was even arrested at the Vic – her second ‘ome.
At the police station, Abi, Max and Kirsty all did the obvious thing and blamed Tanya for the state Lauren was in. ‘Are YOU giving ME parenting advice ?!!’ Tanya cried to Kirsty. ‘Why are you even here!’ Two good points, well made.
When Lucy dropped the charges, Lauren received a caution and a big family ‘ug from everyone except Kirsty, who was, pointedly, left out. By the way Tanya smiled it was almost as if she had let Lauren go off the rails knowing that Max would have to come back to sort it.
Whether Tanya would stoop so low or was that clever is debatable. Lauren of course is still single and an alcoholic. On the plus side, having seen the way she knocked out Lucy, Audley Harrison’s promoters want to book her for his next fight.