EastEnders fans 'had no idea' Jacqueline Jossa is related to soap co-star in real life

EastEnders fans have been left floored after realising Jacqueline Jossa is related to a soap co-star.

Actress Jacqueline shot to fame playing Lauren Branning in the BBC One soap - making her debut in 2010. And as the eldest child of the Branning clan, it didn’t take Lauren long to cause some drama.

From shock love triangles to a battle with alcoholism, her time in Walford has not been short of drama. Especially recently, as last year she became addicted to painkillers after she suffered chronic pain following the crush at Peggy's bar in the famous square.

And during the soap’s 40th anniversary live episode, Lauren played a big part as she and cousin Bianca (Patsy Palmer) helped Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) give birth in the Queen Vic.

However, some soap fans are now only just realising Jacqueline is related to soap star Megan Jossa. Megan played the role of Grant (Ross Kemp) and Tiffany (Martine McCutcheon) Mitchell’s daughter Courtney Mitchell.

She made her debut in 2006 aged just 11, and she starred in 24 episodes between March and June. While on EastEnders, the youngster was nominated for the Best Young Actor award in 2006.

Courtney proved to be quite the troublemaker in Walford as she often refused to do as she was told. As well as arguments with cousin Ben (Charlie Jones) Courtney also took a dislike to her dad’s new girlfriend Carla.

In 2006, Grant and Courtney moved to Portugal together - ending Megan’s time on the show. Grant meanwhile, made a comeback to Walford recently by himself, for the soap’s 40th-anniversary episode.

Following her soap exit, Megan continued to act, starring in TV shows The Take and Stage School. She also appeared on an episode of The Bill and in a West End production too.

And it’s fair to say fans have recently been left floored after realising Jacqueline and Megan are related. On an EastEnders Facebook fan page, one person declared: “I didn’t know this!”

Another chimed in: “Wow, she does look like Jacqueline.” A third agreed: “That’s uncanny.” A fourth also penned: “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