{"id":41637,"date":"2023-12-12T01:00:38","date_gmt":"2023-12-12T00:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1940165"},"modified":"2023-12-12T11:19:16","modified_gmt":"2023-12-12T10:19:16","slug":"4-eastenders-spoilers-for-new-year-2024-lauren-and-penny-branning-return-to-walford","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/4-eastenders-spoilers-for-new-year-2024-lauren-and-penny-branning-return-to-walford\/","title":{"rendered":"4 EastEnders spoilers for New Year 2024: Lauren and Penny Branning return to Walford"},"content":{"rendered":"

Plus, Whitney has a choice to make, there’s a shock for George, and Denzel messes up. <\/p>

By Laura Denby\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 12 December 2023 at 00:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) is back in Walford, and she\u2019s joined by cousin Penny Branning (now played by Kitty Castledine)<\/a>. But what brings Jack\u2019s (Scott Maslen) daughter back<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, George Knight (Colin Salmon) is reunited with his parents<\/a>, Eddie (Christopher Fairbank) and Gloria Knight (Elizabeth Counsell). But what are they hiding?<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) is upset over a huge decision, and Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega) misconstrues a situation!<\/p>\n

Read on for all your EastEnders<\/a> spoilers for New Year, as 2024 dawns in Albert Square.<\/p>\n

4 EastEnders spoilers for New Year \u2013 1st \u2013 4th January 2024<\/strong><\/h2>\n

1. Lauren returns \u2013 with Penny Branning<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Jacqueline\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning in EastEnders.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

In Paris, Lauren and Penny make a decision that they have to return to Walford due to the events of the evening. But what has sparked this decision?<\/p>\n

Penny arrives the following day, and she struggles to cope in the wake of recent events as she must make a tough choice. But what is troubling Penny, and why is there so little detail on what Lauren is up to?<\/p>\n

2. George learns a shocking truth about his past<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Christopher\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Christopher Fairbank as Eddie Knight, Colin Salmon as George Knight and Elizabeth Counsell as Gloria Knight in EastEnders.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) struggles as Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) tries to insert herself into George\u2019s life, and is shocked when she catches Cindy asking him if he\u2019s happy with his life choices.<\/p>\n

But as George tries to explain himself to Elaine, he receives two unexpected visitors: his parents, Gloria and Eddie<\/a>.\u00a0Elaine is concerned by George\u2019s reaction to his mum and dad\u2019s arrival, but he refuses to open up.<\/p>\n

At the Beale house, Cindy tells Ian (Adam Woodyatt) that George was adopted. Gloria is thrilled to be reunited with granddaughters Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna Knight (Molly Rainford), but things are tense between Eddie and his eldest granddaughter.<\/p>\n

Gloria later reveals a shocking truth to George, and he wakes on the sofa the next day, before lying to Elaine so he can sneak off and meet Cindy. At the caf\u00e9, George reveals all to Cindy about his adoption, and the pair are shocked when they find more information.<\/p>\n

Elaine consoles a broken George, who finally reveals all and breaks down in her arms. As the week comes to an end, George invites Gloria and Eddie for dinner in an attempt to get some much needed answers.<\/p>\n

The meal gets off to a harmonious start, but it\u2019s not long before a huge row ensues when Eddie\u2019s rude comments to Gina rile Cindy. George and Gloria have a heart-to-heart, and Gloria shares some invaluable insight into his heritage. What is the big secret?<\/p>

3. Whitney breaks down over big decision<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Whitney\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Whitney and Yolande have a heart-to-heart.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Zack Hudson (James Farrar) and Whitney are devastated as they break the news to Ashton that he\u2019s moving to a new foster home. Whit struggles to cope, while Zack drowns his sorrows at Peggy\u2019s with Martin Fowler (James Bye).<\/p>\n

Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) tries to cheer Whitney up at their small new year\u2019s Eve bash, but it doesn\u2019t help. The next day, as Whitney and Zack discuss some news, they are interrupted by the social worker who has come to collect Ashton.<\/p>\n

Whit later shows Sonia a picture of Ashton settled with his new foster family as she tries to come to terms with his early departure. Whitney visits Peach\u2019s tree, where she is found by Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter), who shares her own experience on fostering.<\/p>\n

Whit breaks down, and after a heart-to-heart, she makes a decision and heads back home. But what exactly is going on?<\/p>\n

4. Denzel makes a blunder<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Pastor\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Denzel gets it all wrong.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

When the Walford teens decide to have a New Year\u2019s Eve party and one of them steals a case of beer from the Minute Mart, they soon realise the beer is alcohol-free when Yolande and Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) check on them!<\/p>\n

Yolande agrees to keep their theft a secret in exchange for a favour, and she orders the teens to deliver church leaflets. But Denzel is alarmed when it\u2019s suggested that something is going on between Yolande and Pastor Clayton.<\/p>\n

Denzel reluctantly agrees to help at Pastor Clayton\u2019s soup kitchen. But when he misunderstands a situation between the Pastor and Yolande, Denzel deliberately tips hot curry on the man!<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n