'EastEnders': Jo Joyner Explains How She Was Persuaded To Return As Tanya Branning For Shock Christmas Episodes

But don't get your hopes for a permanent return up just yet.

Jo Joyner left ‘EastEnders’ fans gobsmacked when she made a surprise comeback as Tanya Branning on Christmas Day, but it turns out she had to be convinced to return. 

The actress has admitted she was initially hesitant about reprising the role she originally played from 2007 to 2013, claiming she didn’t believe there was much she could add to the Max Branning revenge storyline. 

Jo also had problems fitting it into her packed schedule, but had her arm twisted after realising the plot would tie in with the departures of her on-screen daughters Lauren and Abi, played by Jacqueline Jossa and Lorna Fitzgerald.

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Tanya Branning made a shock return to 'EastEnders' on Christmas Day
BBC

Speaking to Digital Spy, Jo revealed she was first approached by writer Simon Ashdown about her return back in the summer. 

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Abi and Lauren Branning plunged from the roof of the Queen Vic on Christmas Day
BBC

And while it sounds like the actress would have been up for reprising the role on a more permanent basis if her workload would have allowed it, she explained how it had already been a nightmare filming this short guest stint.  

Lauren and Abi’s lives currently hang in the balance, after they fell from the roof of the Queen Vic during the dramatic Christmas Day episode, which saw Tanya expose the full extent of their father Max’s wrongdoings. 

′EastEnders’ continues on Thursday (28 December) at 8pm and 9.30pm on BBC One.