EastEnders has shared a heartbreaking update involving much-loved character Tanya Branning. In Thursday’s episode set in Walford (January 15), Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) arranged a memorial service to honour her late sister Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald), eight years after her tragic death.
On Christmas Day in 2017, both Abi and Lauren fell from the roof of the Queen Vic pub. Their father, Max Branning (Jake Wood), had climbed onto the rooftop intending to end his own life, prompting his distressed daughters to follow him and plead for him to stop.
Although Max was eventually talked down, Lauren slipped on the icy surface. As she tried to save her sister, Abi was pulled from the roof alongside her, leading to the devastating outcome.
Lauren went on to make a full recovery, but Abi was not as fortunate. After being declared brain dead in hospital, doctors turned off her life support and she sadly died in January 2018, according to OK!.
In recent months, Lauren and her younger brother Oscar (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) have grown closer, though they continue to share a deep mistrust of their unfaithful father, Max. Despite this, the siblings appeared eager for the family to reunite on Thursday to pay tribute to Abi and mark her passing.
While talking through the plans for Abi’s memorial, Lauren dropped a bombshell, revealing that their mum Tanya (played by Jo Joyner) would not be attending because of Max. Lauren said: “So we’re all sorted then, yeah? Just the close family – us, obviously, plus Penny, Amy and Ricky.”
Jack then asked: “What about your mum?” But Lauren delivered the disappointing update that Tanya would not be returning to mark the anniversary of her daughter’s death with the rest of the family.
“She won’t come if Dad’s going to be there — so that’s a definite no,” Lauren explained, as Oscar sarcastically added: “Who needs family when you’ve got best friends Pinot and Grigio, right?”
Lauren continued: “She’s actually booked a holiday. Linda said she’d bring Annie over. I know Abi never got the chance to meet her, but she’s still her sister.”
“That sounds like a plan,” Jack replied. “It should be a nice day, shouldn’t it?”
Tanya first arrived in Albert Square in 2006, joining the show alongside her family — Max, Lauren and Abi.
The Brannings quickly became fan favourites and went on to feature in some of EastEnders’ most iconic storylines, including Max’s explosive affair with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), which famously culminated in a dramatic Christmas Day reveal.
Although Tanya has not been seen on the soap since 2018, fans continue to hope for her return, especially as her children Lauren and Oscar are now living in Walford with her grandchildren, Louie and Jimmy. However, at present, a comeback appears unlikely.
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