EastEnders has aired the surprise return of a beloved character in the episode set on Mother's Day 2026.
In early scenes, Lauren's doting husband Peter Beale (Thomas Law) teased that he had a surprise for his wife on the special day, with Lauren's lateness due to a talk with Max potentially threatening to ruin it.
However, to Max's chagrin and Lauren's delight, the surprise was revealed to be Max's former mother-in-law and Lauren's grandmother, Cora Cross, played once again by British TV legend Ann Mitchell!
Cora really has never been a fan of Max's and took the opportunity to make barbed remarks at his expense during the celebrations, particularly when he asked after his granddaughter Abi "AJ" Brannign Jr., who is living with Tanya after his reckless guardianship.
In addition to digging at a riled Max enough that he was asked to leave, Cora also referred to a present Mark Fowler (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) as "Muscles", made comments on the 'resurrection' of Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), and also reminded Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) that he had bought the services of her drug-addicted daughter Rainie when she was a sex worker back in 2014.
Read More: EastEnders star teases "fantastic" storyline for Ian and Elaine: "The fight is on"While spending some time with her great-grandsons, Cora dug deep with Lauren following the attack she experienced last week, and encouraged her to embrace a new business opportunity with Mark - even though neither she nor Lauren is aware that Mark is involved in criminal enterprises.
Though with a love triangle tipped to be on the way between Oscar and twins Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) and Josh Goodwin (Josh Vaughn), we'll have to wait and see about that!
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The lovely guest appearance by the sassy Cora will no doubt go down a treat with fans who have been calling for her to make a return in recent years.
Read more:
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