EastEnders airs surprise return for Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning is arrested at the airport in shocking drugs case

EastEnders fans finally saw the long-awaited return of Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning on New Year’s Day when she was arrested over a shocking drugs case.

After a six-year absence, Lauren returns to the Square for good in a dramatic storyline, after deciding to get back in touch with her ex Peter Beale.

Viewers saw that Lauren had moved to Paris with her son Louis to join her cousin Penny, but in Monday’s episode she started pining for her ex.

Lauren had previously vowed never to speak to Peter again after discovering Cindy Beale was still alive, but called her ex to let them know she would be coming back to Albert Square.

Penny quickly agreed to join Lauren, but became uneasy after being approached by a mysterious woman.

Unaware that her cousin Penny had put drugs in her bag, Lauren was stopped by authorities at the airport in a dramatic cliffhanger

It was then revealed that Penny had been tasked by the mysterious woman with transporting drugs back to Britain, and they were planted on Lauren.

After heading to the airport, Lauren was stunned to be arrested by police after sniffer dogs were alerted to the package.

The episode ended on a shocking cliffhanger, with Lauren having no idea how she would be released from police custody.

Speaking ahead of her return, 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 of it so far and it feels like coming home. What’s different is that there’s a brand new Square set, as 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.”

In an interview ahead of her return, Jacqueline revealed that Lauren is still furious with Peter Beale 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.”

After a six-year absence, Lauren returns to the Square permanently in a dramatic storyline, after deciding to get back in touch with her ex Peter Beale.

Speaking ahead of her return, Jacqueline said: ‘It’s strange because being back on EastEnders feels exactly the same and completely different at the same time!’

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 work.

“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.”

EastEnders continues on Tuesday at 7.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.