EastEnders fans will be heartbroken by the latest news regarding Tanya Branning as her family come together for Abi’s memorial.
EastEnders has delivered a devastating update concerning cherished character Tanya Branning. During Thursday’s visit to Walford (January 15), Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) organised a memorial service for her deceased sister Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald) eight years following her tragic death.
On Christmas Day in 2017, Abi and Lauren plummeted from the Queen Vic pub’s rooftop. Max Branning (Jake Wood) had climbed to the building’s summit intending to take his own life, prompting his frantic daughters to pursue him and beg him to change his mind.
Whilst Max was persuaded otherwise, Lauren lost her footing on the slippery surface and, whilst attempting to save her sister, Abi was dragged from the roof with her.
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Lauren made a full recovery, but Abi did not, and after being pronounced brain dead at the hospital, her life support was switched off, and she passed away in January 2018, reports OK!.
In recent months, Lauren and her younger brother, Oscar (Pierre Counihan-Moullier), have developed a strong bond, although their mistrust of their philandering father, Max, persists.
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Nevertheless, on Thursday, the siblings seemed keen for their family to come together to honour Abi’s life and commemorate her following her death.
Whilst discussing their arrangements for Abi’s memorial, Lauren revealed shocking news: their mother Tanya (portrayed by Jo Joyner) would not be attending the event because of their father.
Lauren declared: “So we’re all set then, yeah? Just us close family, us lot obviously Penny, Amy and Ricky.”
Jack responded: “How about your mum?”. But Lauren then delivered the disappointing news that Tanya wouldn’t be coming back to commemorate her daughter’s death anniversary alongside her other children.
“Ooh, Dad’s going to be here, so that’s a hard no,” she explained, whilst Oscar cynically chimed in: “Who needs family when you got best friends Pinot and Grigio, right?”
Lauren went on: “She’s actually booked herself a holiday. Linda said she would bring Annie over. I know Abi never met her, but still, she’s still her sister.
“Sounds like a plan,” Jack agreed, “Should be a nice day, shouldn’t it?”
Tanya burst onto Albert Square in 2006, arriving with her family members Max, Lauren, and Abi.
The Branning clan swiftly won over viewers, becoming central to some of EastEnders’ most memorable plotlines, including Max’s explosive affair with Stacey (Lacey Turner), which reached its climax in a jaw-dropping Christmas Day bombshell.
Although Tanya hasn’t appeared in EastEnders since 2018, supporters continue to hold out hope for her comeback, given that her two children, Lauren and Oscar, are residing in Walford with her grandchildren, Louie and Jimmy – though prospects currently seem slim.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer
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