Lauren tells Max: I'm leaving Steven and returning to New Zealand!

Lauren tells Max that she’s leaving Steven. Lauren Branning, Max Branning in Eastenders.
Lauren tells Max that she’s leaving Steven and wants to go back to New Zealand...

There's more gossip, intrigue and an imminent exit from Walford this week as Bernadette, Lauren and Denise get tongues wagging...

Coming up in EastEnders, Lauren decides she can't be with Steven any more and tells Max she's taking Louie and returning to New Zealand.

Elsewhere, will Bernadette keep schtum about her unborn baby's daddy? Scheming bullies Alexandra and Madison are out to spoil things for Bex at the school performance. Michelle goes on a date with Tom, unaware that Louise has ducked out and left Will and Denny home alone...

Lauren tells Max that she’s leaving Steven and wants to go back to New Zealand...

Lauren tells Max that she’s leaving Steven. Lauren Branning, Max Branning in Eastenders.

Lauren tells Max that she’s leaving Steven and wants to go back to New Zealand...

Lauren tells Max that she’s leaving Steven and wants to go back to New Zealand...

Abi is irritated by Steven’s optimism about his and Lauren’s relationship. Steven Beale, Abi Branning in Eastenders.

Abi is irritated by Steven’s optimism about his and Lauren’s relationship.

Abi is irritated by Steven’s optimism about his and Lauren’s relationship.

Lauren tries to talk to Steven about their relationship. Lauren Branning, Steven Beale in Eastenders.

Stephen tries to say it with flowers and Lauren tries to talk to him about their relationship. Will she let him down gently?

Stephen tries to say it with flowers and Lauren tries to talk to him about their relationship. Will she let him down gently?

Abi and Josh discuss Lauren. Josh Hemmings, Abi Branning in Eastenders.

Meanwhile, Abi and Josh discuss Lauren's plans to leave Walford.

Meanwhile, Abi and Josh discuss Lauren's plans to leave Walford.

Lauren thanks her family for their support. Jack Branning, Abi Branning, Max Branning, Lauren Branning in Eastenders.

Lauren thanks Jack, Abi and Max for their support. Is this her leaving speech?

Lauren thanks Jack, Abi and Max for their support. Is this her leaving speech?

Martin and Kush plan revenge on Robbie. Kush Kazemi, Robbie Jackson, Martin Fowler in Eastenders.

After a fiasco which sees Donna evicted from her pitch, Martin and Kush plan revenge on Robbie.

After a fiasco which sees Donna evicted from her pitch, Martin and Kush plan revenge on Robbie.

Robbie tells an incensed Donna that he’s closing her down. Kush Kazemi, Donna Yates, Robbie Jackson in Eastenders.

Earlier, Robbie tells an incensed Donna that he’s closing her down because she hasn't paid her rent.

Earlier, Robbie tells an incensed Donna that he’s closing her down because she hasn't paid her rent.

Denise and Patrick discuss Kim. Patrick Trueman, Denise Fox in Eastenders.

Denise and Patrick discuss her new job at the council...

Denise and Patrick discuss her new job at the council...

Denise tells Kim she needs to tell Carmel that she’s not joining them on their holiday. Denise Fox, Kim Fox-Hubbard in Eastenders.

Later, Denise talks to Kim about how they'll tell Carmel she’s not joining them on holiday.

Later, Denise talks to Kim about how they'll tell Carmel she’s not joining them on holiday.

Karen wants to know who the father is. Bernadette Taylor, Karen Taylor in Eastenders.

Karen tries to get Bernadette to reveal who the baby's father is, but she remains tight-lipped.

Karen tries to get Bernadette to reveal who the baby's father is, but she remains tight-lipped.

Bex and Shakil try to persuade Travis to talk to Louise and ask for a second chance. Travis Law-Hughes, Shakil Kazemi, Bex Fowler in Eastenders.

Bex and Shakil try to persuade Travis to talk to Louise and ask her for a second chance.

Bex and Shakil try to persuade Travis to talk to Louise and ask her for a second chance.

Madison and Alexandra take the opportunity to bait Bex, but Bex dismisses her. Bex Fowler, Travis Law-Hughes, Alexandra D'Costa in Eastenders.

Alexandra tries to wind up Bex at the showcase in front of Travis.

Alexandra tries to wind up Bex at the showcase in front of Travis.

The showcase gets underway. Bex Fowler, Shakil Kazemi, Louise Mitchell in Eastenders.

The showcase is about to get underway. Travis tries to get back into Louise's good books. Will it work? Watch EastEnders on BBC1 from Monday, July 10

The showcase is about to get underway. Travis tries to get back into Louise's good books. Will it work? Watch EastEnders on BBC1 from Monday, July 10