EastEnders spoilers follow.

EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa has called for Ann Mitchell to make a permanent return to the BBC soap after the actor unexpectedly reprised her role as Cora Cross during Monday’s (16 March) Mother’s Day episode.

The beloved character made a shock return when she appeared at the Beale-Branning household for a Mother’s Day lunch, with Peter having secretly arranged her arrival.

person in formal attire engaging with another individual near a vehicle

BBC

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The appearance marked Mitchell’s first on the soap since 2018, although her return appears to be short-lived, as Cora left Walford in a taxi at the end of the episode. Despite this, Jossa said she hopes Mitchell will return.

Commenting on a post on the soap’s Instagram account, which referenced Cora’s return, the Lauren Branning star wrote: “Petition for her to make a permanent return anyone? Pleaseeeeee”

Several fans agreed with Jossa, with one follower noting: “Cora was always one of my favourites. I already know her & Oscar are the double act we NEED! Being her back full time!”

“We need Cora back please. Her and Elaine could be friends,” added another, while a third commented: “Love her, she needs to stay. Imagine her and Big Mo as friends, they would be hilarious.”

“I’ve missed Cora! She’s brilliant. Ian’s face,” wrote another viewer, while one other fan echoed these sentiments as they remarked: “@jacjossa I second that permanent return petition!!”

Jossa also got some support from co-star Alice Haig, with the actor, who plays Vicki Fowler on the soap, writing: “So fun to film these scenes! Vicki and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!”

lauren branning, eastenders

BBC

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It remains to be seen if Mitchell will reprise her role as Cora in the future, but it doesn’t mean that the drama has stopped for the Brannings, with Oscar set to get himself in another pickle as he unknowingly has a one-night stand with an important figure.

The Walford bad-boy strikes up a bond with newcomer Josh Goodwin, unaware that he is the twin brother of ex-girlfriend Jasmine Fisher, who is currently incarcerated. Though they are initially oblivious to their link, will they discover it eventually?

EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

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For exclusive soap star interviews, gossip, spoilers and theories every week, don’t miss the Soap Scoop podcast from Inside Soap magazine. The latest episode delves into next week’s soap spoilers for EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale – from Jodie’s latest move in Weatherfield, to Oscar’s new romance on the Square!