The wait is almost over. Following the dramatic murder trial that has gripped Walford – not to mention every EastEnders fan – Max's day of reckoning has finally arrived. Will he be sent to jail for killing Lucy – a crime he didn't commit? Or will Jane's shocking testimony keep him out of clink?

As the locals gather in court to hear the verdict, Jane encounters Lauren, who is still torn over whether to speak up for her dad, or stick to Jane's scheme to keep Max out of prison...

Jane has struck a deal with Max's dodgy lawyer Marcus, and she's desperate to keep Lauren from wrecking her plan. But will Lauren keep quiet?

As the tension mounts, prosecutor Hazel Warren makes her closing statement...

Will the jury be convinced by the case against Max and find him guilty?

Looking on from the public benches, tension is etched on the faces of Lauren, Carol and Stacey as they await Max's fate...

As the jury delivers its verdict, Carol and Stacey leap to their feet!

Later, as the Square tries to come to terms with the drama that has unfolded in court, Stacey confronts Jane over the shock evidence she gave at the trial.

It's not long before Martin is drawn into the tense exchange.

Meanwhile, in the Square, Abi hands Lauren a plane ticket. Who is so eager to see the back of Lauren? And will she leave Walford when her family is in such turmoil?

Watch Max's trial reach its sensational climax on EastEnders from Monday, September 28 on BBC1

Just how determined is Lauren to save her dad Max from being sent down for Lucy's murder in EastEnders? Well, she's prepared to fly all the way from New Zealand while seven months pregnant, so I think we can say she's pretty to keen to get him off the hook. But can she talk her gran Cora and little sister Abi out of giving evidence against innocent Max?

Not convinced by Jane's insistence that Max will be found innocent anyway, Lauren first sets about trying to convince Abi not to give evidence.

But with the trial looming, Abi is feeling the pressure and breaks down, seemingly unsure what to do.

Spotting a clearly over-refreshed Cora in the Square, Lauren senses a chance to waylay her gran, who also intends to testify against Max.

She lures Cora into The Vic and buys her a drink, hoping she'll lose all sense of time and forget about going to court.

Unfortunately, Babe sees what's going on, and, realising Cora should be at the trial, she contacts the police.

An officer soon arrives to collect Cora, who tells Lauren in no uncertain terms that she believes Max is guilty.

In the dock, will Cora's evidence help to sink Max's chances of justice? Only if she's sober enough to get her words out!

She certainly appears to be pointing an accusing finger (or ordering a strong black coffee...)

Meanwhile, poor Max looks like a man who's already accepted his fate. And with Lauren unavoidably absent – her waters have broken! – can he rely on his younger daughter to ride to his rescue?

Looking like a rabbit trapped in some especially bright headlights, Abi steps into the dock…

Will she save her dad? Or ensure that he gets a long sentence for a crime he didn't commit? Watch the dramatic events in court on EastEnders, BBC1, from Monday September 14

A heavily pregnant Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa)  will be returning to Albert Square later this month and, shortly after that, there will be a new addition to the Branning family…

New arrivals in Albert Square usually mean trouble – but this one will melt people's hearts… It will be Lauren's baby boy, Louie.

Jane Beale holds Lauren's baby Louie (BBC)

After all the trauma of Lucy Beale's murder, Lauren went to New Zealand with her boyfriend, Lucy's twin Peter.

But Lauren makes a shock return after hearing her dad, Max (Jake Wood), is on trial for killing Lucy.

Lauren knows the truth about what happened that night and is desperate to see justice for her dad.

But before she can do anything her waters break and she barely makes it to hospital before she gives birth to baby Louie.

Jane (Laurie Brett), Carol (Lindsey Coulson) and Lauren's sister, Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald), are there to share the joy of the new arrival.

And, boy, do they all need something to smile about! Max's trial is tearing them all apart.

But how long will it be before Max gets to meet his grandson?

And where's Peter (Ben Hardy)? Did he and Lauren marry in New Zealand… Or is Lauren on her own now?

EastEnders’ Lauren Branning and baby Louie (BBC)

Jacqueline has been off-screen on maternity leave, following the birth to her daughter Ella in February.

Louie’s arrival will air on BBC1 in EastEnders, Thursday, September 17.

OK, here’s what we know from EastEnders boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins…

There is going to be a big, shock arrest in the Lucy Beale murder case…

“We rested the story to give everyone a breather, but that kicks up quite massively over the summer, with a big arrest that’s going to take us up to September. And a few old faces return!”

And that’s where we think Peter Beale (Ben Hardy) and Lauren Branning may come in…with their baby.

Yes, we know Ben’s been in America, making X-Men: Apocalypse, but that doesn’t mean he can’t come back.

And Ben himself tweeted: “Maybe one day Peter will come back to visit Lauren and Pete Jr [that better be his name].”

We know Lauren will return from her life with Peter in New Zealand after actress Jacqueline Jossa has completed her maternity leave, following the birth of her daughter, Ella on February 15 this year.

Will she return with his baby?

And will Peter follow when he hears of the shock arrest over his twin sister Lucy’s murder?

We wouldn’t be surprised.

More on EastEnders’ explosive summer stories here.

EastEnders continues on BBC1, Monday, June 29, 8.00pm

EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossahas tweeted her delight after the birth of her first baby, a daughter.

The 22-year-old actress, who plays Lauren Branning in the BBC soap, gave birth to her daughter Ella yesterday.

She told fans on Twitter, thanking her mother and boyfriend, Dan Osborne, writing: "Amazing. She's perfect."

Dan, who appears on reality show The Only Way Is Essex, added: "So so so so happy to tell you all!! Our baby girl Ella arrived yesterday evening."

EastEnders celebrates its 30th anniversary this week with a live show and live sections in the pre-recorded shows culminating in an episode unmasking the killer of Lucy Beale.

Fans of the show will still see Jacqueline, who has been central to the plot around the murder, this week as she pre-recorded her scenes in the run-up to giving birth. She was never intended to feature in Thursday's live episode.

Photos of the dramatic conclusion to the Lucy Beale murder whodunnit on EastEnders

Thursday's EastEnders featured a major revelation when Lauren Branning came upon a note in the late Emma Summerhaye's case file on Lucy Beale's murder.

Lauren discovered the ripped note in Max's flat, a forgotten trace of the file after Max tried to destroy it in the wake of Emma's death.

The note suggests a person interviewed in Lucy's murder investigation cannot account for 10 hours on the night of the evil deed.

Emma's conclusion is: "Doesn't Add Up."

But who is that person and whose phone number is it?

Lauren Branning knows. Do you?

The murderer will be revealed in EastEnders' 30th anniversary week programming. Read the full schedule here.

EastEnders' Lauren Branning is spurred into action by the sight of boyfriend Peter Beale in his running gear - and asks him to marry her.

The pair grew close after the murder of Peter's sister and Lauren's friend Lucy last April and in August Peter (Ben Hardy) dumped his girlfriend Lola Pearce to be with Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa).

Lauren really lets her feelings run away with her next week after Peter's success in the Walford half marathon. But how long can the young couple's happiness last?

Lucy's killer is set to be revealed on February 19 in a special live episode for the BBC soap's 30th anniversary - and the murderer's identity is set to turn Albert Square upside down.

The bare cheek of it! The EastEnders cast have stripped down to their essentials on screen and off in aid of this year's BBC Children in Need and you can enjoy them allyear round in a 2015 calendar on sale for the charity.

Inspired by a recent storyline, the calendar will feature a host of Walford’s famous faces, along with some equally famous arms, legs and torsos as the cast embrace the cheeky calendar spirit.

Sonia bares her heart as the Valentine pin-up for February, while Peter Beale represents the boys – and the pickled eggs – flexing in the chippy as May’s poster-boy...

Meanwhile, Whitney and Lauren make the most of the summer, beaming from behind a lilo for August’s image!

In the soap, Sonia and Kush have been rallying their local Fat Blasters to ditch the clothes for the charity calendar and, subsequently, EastEnders execs decided to make the plans a reality.

EastEnders executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins commented: "When we developed our calendar storyline featuring so many of Albert Square's residents as viewers have never seen them before, it seemed such a shame not to share the fun with our audience. It's been a long time since EastEnders released a calendar - and this is the perfect opportunity for EastEnders fans to get hold of something a little bit special while raising money for such a worthwhile cause."

Natalie Cassidy (Sonia) said; “Everybody who took part in the calendar had a blast, and everyone should have a cheesy EastEnders calendar on their wall for 2015 - go and buy one because it's brilliant, AND you're raising money for a wonderful cause”.

Available now from the bbcchildreninneedshop.co.uk and Welcome Break stores across the UK, the calendar costs £10, with a minimum of £5 donated to BBC Children in Need.

EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa has announced she’s expecting her first child with The Only Way is Essex star Dan Osborne.

Confirming the news through their spokesperson, the couple say in a statement: “We’re thrilled by our news”.

The announcement comes just eight months after Dan welcomed his son Teddy in December.

“Becoming a father has been the most amazing thing to ever happen to me. I can’t believe I’m going to be dad again - I’m truly blessed,” Dan added.

A representative for EastEnders has also congratulated the mum-to-be, saying: “Everyone at EastEnders is thrilled for Jacqueline”, reports the Daily Mail.

The couple have been on/off for the past year, but 21-year-old Jacqueline confirmed their romance was back on in June when she posted a cosy picture of the pair cuddling on her Instagram page.

“There’s not one bad thing I could say about her … We enjoy each other’s company. She’s a really lovely girl,” TOWIE's Dan said of Jacqueline.

Meanwhile, Jacqueline, who plays Lauren Branning on the hit BBC soap, has admitted she’s a huge fan of her boyfriend’s famously ripped torso.

“I’m a fan of all his tattoos. He’s hot stuff,” she says.

Dan was thrilled after discovering his ex-girlfriend Megan was pregnant last year.

“I’m so excited to be a dad,” he said then. “Having seen the scan it now feels very real and even though I know it won’t be easy, I can’t wait to meet my little son or daughter. I know I’ll be a great Dad and will be there every step of the way.”

Megan gave birth in December and Dan tweeted: “SOOO happy to let you all know that our little baby boy was born this morning! He’s perfect! Love him more than anything!!”

Dan has since kept his fans updated on his beloved son’s progress via social media, and gushed about the eight-month-old on Twitter just hours before announcing his baby news with Jacqueline.

Adding several pictures of Teddy, he wrote: “Most beautiful little boy in the world!! Seeing this little man smile and laugh is literally the best feeling in the world!”

Jacqueline’s pregnancy means she will need maternity leave next year. That means EastEnders have to find a way to write Lauren out of the soap for a while…or maybe permanently?

Lauren Branning been chasing Dean Wicks for a while now - and we can reveal that Dean finally lets her catch him and sleeps with her. But why?

It looked like dodgy Dean (Matt Di Angelo) only had eyes for older woman Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and he wasn’t backward at coming forward to let her know how he felt…letting his hands roam and his lips land on hers.

But Linda was shocked, not flattered and has been keeping out of reach of Dean’s wandering hands.

Is that why Dean turns his attention to Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) and takes her to bed? Or is he hoping to make Linda jealous?

Whatever his reasons, we don’t think Lauren has finally found “the one” in Dean. We think Dean could mess her up just as badly as Jake did…

After spending the night together, Lauren’s hurt when Dean tells her their relationship is just casual. Dean softens when he sees he has upset Lauren but we still doubt his intentions are honourable.

Dean had his heart set on taking over Mick’s life - not knowing  that Mick (Danny Dyer), the man he thinks is his uncle, is actually his brother.

We think Dean hasn’t really given up on that plan. He thinks the Carters have it all - and he wants it.

Which is why we also think that Lauren won’t be the only person who is going to be hurt by Dean as the Carter family continues to slowly unravel.

You can see Dean seduce Lauren in EastEnders on BBC1, Monday, August 18.

EastEnders continues on BBC1 on Monday, August 11, 8.00pm.

Since joining the cast of EastEnders four years ago to play wild child Lauren Branning, Jacqueline Jossa has rocked Albert Square with her self-destructive behaviour, battling alcoholism and seducing a string of men.

Now Lucy Beale’s murder is turning Lauren’s life upside-down again and threatening to turn her back to the bottle.

Lauren has been busy playing detective. She has had her ex, Jake Stone, arrested, after she told police of his meeting with Lucy on the night of her death.

But fans will have to wait until EastEnders’ 30th anniversary in February 2015 to discover whether Lauren believes Jake is a killer - or has been covering her tracks and throwing the police off the scent of the real killer: her. Until then the murder remains a mystery, with every cast member a potential suspect.

The next big development in the storyline will be Lucy’s funeral on Tuesday, May 20.

Jacqueline, 21, reveals to the Express newspaper how she is enjoying being at the centre of the show’s murder hunt and why this is just the beginning of Lauren’s new journey on Albert Square.

How will Lauren cope at the funeral?

“Lauren is trying to be strong for Peter. I don’t think she’s really had her breaking down, falling apart moment yet.”

How does it feel to be part of such a strong storyline?

“It’s been challenging and good working with the Beales again. I’m in a lot of scenes with Adam (Woodyatt - Ian) and Ben (Hardy - Peter).”

Do people keep asking you who the murderer is?

“Yes. The good thing is, I actually don’t know, so I don’t have to lie.”

Lauren and Peter kissed. Will that develop?

“I don’t think it was meant to happen. They were just helping and confiding in each other. It opens up feelings that maybe they didn’t know were there.” 

If neither of them is Lucy’s killer, could Peter tame Lauren?

“I think they are good for each other. Maybe he’d be too boring for her. He could be good, but whether she would realise that, I don’t know.” 

How do you think others would react to a possible romance?

“Lauren and Peter were puppy loves so people would think it would be nice to rekindle the flame. Although I don’t think Lola would be too happy about it.”

Would you like Lauren to settle down?

“I prefer her bad - but she could still be in a relationship. It would be nice for her to be in a relationship, so she could stop sleeping with every Tom, Dick and Harry.”

Are people worried Lauren to turn to drink again?

“Yes, and she’s worried too. Everyone’s on edge, thinking about their own problems. If Lauren is left alone and doesn’t get help, it could go wrong… and it probably will.”

And she doesn’t even know yet that her dad was sleeping with Lucy…

“That’s probably going to be the big breakdown. How can they rebuild a relationship after everything Max has done? He’s the worst dad in the world. It probably will lead to a bit of a downward spiral for Lauren. Again, she feels bad about everything. Her dad has messed up again.”

EastEnders, BBC1. Click here for listings details.

EastEnders' Lauren Branning is left fearing for her life when suspected killer Jake Stone takes her prisoner in her own home.

When Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) discovers that chef Jake (Jamie Lomas) was the mystery person who emailed her the night that Lucy Beale died, she tries to find out where he was at the time of the murder.

But when she gets home Lauren is terrified to find Jake has broken into her house and he grabs hold of her to stop her calling for help.

It has already been revealed that police are set to arrest Jake as a suspect for Lucy's murder as a result of a statement made by Lauren.

The drama will screen on EastEnders tonight at 8pm on BBC One.

– Press Association

EastEnders is in the process of “changing forever” claims Jacqueline Jossa, who plays recovering alcoholic Lauren Branning in the BBC soap.

When speaking about upcoming episodes dealing with the murder of Lucy Beale, Jacqueline says the plot - which saw Lucy dead on Walford Common at the end of the April 18 episode - is on a need to know basis.

“The writers don’t even write the secrets down, it’s all in their heads,” she told The Sun. “When they want us to know, we’ll know.”

Jacqueline - who is friends with Lucy Beale actress Hetti Bywater in real life - also states that when she sees Hetti now, “it’s weird”, because she "saw her dead”.

Regarding Lucy's murderer Jossa said previously: “I kind of wanted it to be Lauren, because I thought it would be cool. But now I don’t think it is, so I’m a bit gutted to be honest.

“I wanted to kill someone. I’d be excited if it was Lauren - unless she got caught. Then she’d be in prison.”

Click here for details of the alibis given by some Albert Square residents for the night Lucy was murdered.

Lauren Branning has emerged as the bookies' favourite to be Lucy Beale's killer, following the news that the character will meet an untimely death this Easter.

According to bookmakers Coral the troubled teen - with whom Lucy has a love-hate relationship - is evens to carry out the dirty deed, which will spark a long-running mystery storyline.

Meanwhile her brother Peter Beale is 2-1 second favourite, followed by future stepmother Denise Fox at 3-1.

And even her father Ian is not immune from suspicion, alongside ex-wife Jane who both have odds of 8-1.

However with odds of 50-1 it looks unlikely that Danny Dyer's landlord Mick Carter will emerge as the guilty party.

Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins has promised that the story will "shock, entertain, and make the nation weep."

He added: "It will also give Adam Woodyatt - who is a brilliant actor and a lovely man - a chance to shine."

EastEnders bosses have also promised the storyline will not be a typical whodunnit, with very few people - possibly not even the killer - knowing exactly what happened to Lucy on the night she died.

The search for the culprit is also tipped to go on for many months, leading up to the show's 30th anniversary in 2015.

EastEnders' Lauren Branning is set for a big shock when she discovers Stacey Slater at The Vic.

The old arch enemies run into each other when Stacey (Lacey Turner) decides to take refuge at the pub while she calms down over her confrontation with her cousin Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace). But she is in for an even more stressful encounter when Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) arrives.

Stacey has been absent from Albert Square for four years and was thought to be in Mexico, until Kat spotted her in London recently.

She has returned to Walford to warn Kat not to interfere in her comfortable new life with an unsuspecting boyfriend, but when the conversation becomes too much, she flees to The Vic where Lauren walks in on her.

The pair fell out six years ago when Lauren discovered her dad Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Stacey had been having an affair, and put a DVD of the taped evidence under the Christmas tree, which the Branning family played on Christmas Day.

Lauren was also the one who unmasked Stacey as the murderer of Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb), when she gave a taped confession to Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks).

Will time have been a healer for the warring women, or will Lauren be the one to send Stacey's new life crashing down?

Viewers can find out by tuning in to EastEnders tonight (Tuesday, February 18?.

Photos of Albert Square's latest lovestruck couple...

Abi reveals she didn't make the grade – and blames her sister's chaos!

Jacqueline Jossa explains to Soaplife why teenage alcoholic Lauren’s return to Albert Square doesn’t go to plan in BBC1's EastEnders next week. That is, until she meets a handsome stranger at her counselling session...

What makes Lauren return to the Square?

"She feels ready to. Being away is not helping her any more and she feels like she needs to be around people she loves."

She was very ill when she left. Is she really ready to return?

"She’s following a plan set for her, she’s keeping herself busy, she has started running to sort herself out with… she’s just focusing on stuff like that so she has good energy out there."

But does she feel good when she walks in on Max and Kirsty kissing?

"It’s just a little bit awkward! She’s like: 'Am I in the way a bit? Am I ruining things for other people?'"

So why does she give them her blessing to get back together?

"Max is fussing around Lauren too much; he won’t let her go anywhere. She just thinks, 'God, he needs a woman in his life!'"

Does Lauren need Joey? She nearly hits the booze again when she finds out he slept with Whitney…

"As long as Lauren and Joey are in the Square together, they’re going to have feelings for each other. There’s a lot of unfinished business, but for their own safety and their own health maybe it isn’t the right time."

Soaplife has heard that Lauren will be getting friendly with newcomer Jake Stone… What’s it like working with Jamie Lomas who plays him?

"He’s really cool. He’s so excited and gives off a really good energy. I’m a big fan of his."

Jacqueline Jossa talks to Soaplife about Lauren's drinking in EastEnders… She doesn't think she's an alcoholic - she thinks her only problem is that everyone's trying to stop her drinking!

Isn’t Lauren alarmed about the amount she’s drinking?

"She doesn’t see it as a problem. Lauren believes she’s only drinking as much as anyone else."

But she must realise it’s serious when Tanya locks her in the house to keep her away from booze?

"She’s annoyed that Tanya thinks she needs to be locked up because in her head Lauren can stop drinking whenever she wants – she just doesn’t want to. She really believes she’s not an addict like her Aunt Rainie."

But Lauren's got some vodka hidden away...

"Tanya’s devastated when she realises Lauren's still drinking and finally admits to herself that her daughter is an alcoholic."

Tanya gets rid of all the booze in the house and Lauren starts getting withdrawal symptoms…

"Lauren feels light-headed and queasy, but at first she doesn’t really take it seriously. Booze is her medicine and she knows that she’ll feel OK once she’s had a drink."

But she can’t get hold of a drink…

"So she climbs out of her bedroom window. Max catches her and Lauren says she’d rather be dead than locked up. She means it. She runs off and Tanya tells Max to let her go…"

What will it take for Lauren to realise she needs help?

"She doesn’t become aware of how intense her problem is, but Kirsty does. Kirsty knows addiction and can spot the signs. It's Kirsty who makes Max realise that Lauren needs help."

Is Lauren ready to let Max help her?

"She sees Max is on her side, which is nice, but that is too much pressure on her. She doesn't think she can stop drinking and is scared she’ll let everyone down."

Is Lauren in danger?

"Yes, but the problem is she doesn’t care. The only thing she cares about is drink…"

EastEnders' Jacqueline Jossa is in for high drama when her alcoholic character Lauren Branning escapes out of a window.

Lauren's drinking is so out of control that mum Tanya (Jo Joyner) locks her in the house, but the boozy teenager makes a bid for freedom by climbing out of the window.

Tanya is horrified when she sees Lauren dangling dangerously from the ledge in her desperation to get another drink. Lauren's dad Max (Jake Wood) comes to the rescue and helps her to safety, but she runs off before either of her parents can catch her.

EastEnders star Jacqueline recently told Inside Soap that her character's problems were likely to get much worse. She said: "The storyline coming up is pretty shocking. I very much hope it hits home for viewers watching. The only person who can help Lauren is herself. For a while, there was a chance Joey [David Witts] might have been able to, but he gave up. So until Lauren realises she's got serious problems, she's not going to get better."

The EastEnders scenes with Lauren escaping from the window will screen on BBC One on Thursday, June 13.

As Lauren's drinking gets out of control, she gets into trouble with the law for attacking Lucy…