Get the latest OK! breaking news on WhatsAppOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More infoJoin us on WhatsApp EastEnders fans have been left gobsmacked upon discovering that Jacqueline Jossa is related to a fellow soap star. Jacqueline, who catapulted to fame as Lauren Branning on the BBC One soap in 2010, quickly became a central figure in the Branning family’s drama-filled narrative. From scandalous love triangles to a struggle with alcoholism, Lauren’s stint in Walford has been anything but dull. Particularly last year, when she developed an addiction to painkillers following a debilitating injury sustained at Peggy’s bar in the iconic square. During the soap’s live 40th anniversary episode, Lauren was front and centre, assisting her cousin Bianca (played by Patsy Palmer) and Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) during a dramatic birth scene in the Queen Vic.
EastEnders fans ‘had no idea’ Jacqueline Jossa is related to soap co-star in real life
(Image: BBC)
However, it’s only now that some fans are connecting the dots and realising that Jacqueline shares a familial bond with soap actress Megan Jossa. Megan portrayed Courtney Mitchell, the daughter of Grant (Ross Kemp) and Tiffany (Martine McCutcheon) Mitchell. Making her debut at the tender age of 11 in 2006, Megan graced 24 episodes between March and June. Her performance earned her a nomination for the Best Young Actor award in 2006, reports Plymouth Live.
Megan Jossa played Courtney Mitchell
Courtney was quite the handful in Walford, often rebelling against authority. In addition to clashing with cousin Ben (Charlie Jones), Courtney also took issue with her dad’s new girlfriend Carla. Back in 2006, Grant and Courtney waved goodbye to Albert Square as they jetted off to Portugal, marking the end of Megan’s stint on the show. However, Grant made a solo return to Walford for the soap’s milestone 40th-anniversary episode.
Megan worked alongside Ross Kemp
(Image: BBC)
Post-EastEnders, Megan has kept busy with her acting career, featuring in TV series like The Take and Stage School, guest-starring in an episode of The Bill, and even treading the boards in the West End. But what’s really got fans talking is the recent revelation that Megan is related to Jacqueline. On an EastEnders fan page on Facebook, one fan expressed their surprise: “I didn’t know this!” Others joined in the family resemblance debate with comments like: “Wow, she does look like Jacqueline” and “That’s uncanny.” Another fan reminisced: “I liked Courtney’s a good little actress. Didn’t know she was Jac’s cousin though.” EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am
