Jacqueline Jossa has spoken out to quash reports she would be returning to her role in EastEnders after she filmed scenes for Dot Cotton’s funeral.
The 30-year-old stepped back into the shoes of her character Lauren Branning to bid a final farewell to the late June Brown’s character Dot, after her character left the BBC soap in 2017.
Yet Jacqueline Jossa has now shut down dismissed rumours this could herald a full-time return to Albert Square.
The 30-year-old I’m A Celebrity star said in a statement on Instagram : “Just been inundated with people being lovely, but thinking I'm coming back to EastEnders full time, I don't know if something has been taken out of an interview or been completely made up but either way I'm just shutting down any rumours or stories.
“I am not on the way back to the Square full time, it's not in talks, I 100 per cent have not confirmed a return.”
She added: “That's also not me saying I would never go back, when and if the time is right, I would love to.”
She went on: “Like I have said many times and continue to say, EastEnders is the best job ever and was an honour for the eight years.
“As of right now, I am not going back at the moment thanks so much for all the excited DM's and phone calls and texts.. sorry lol.”
Jossa took over the role of Lauren Branning, eldest daughter of Max and Tanya, in 2010 when she was just 18.
The Sun reported at the end of December that Jossa had been in talks with EastEnders bosses to return to the soap.
This comes after Jossa’s fans recently took part in a Q&A on her Instagram page and asked her if she would consider returning to the long-running soap 'full time'.
"Do you think you will ever go back to EastEnders full time?" a curious follower asked her.
She answered along with a picture of her character: "I loved being back, and was so happy with you in my DMs, maybe one day."
The mum of two confirmed her comeback for the scenes earlier this year, alongside other characters who returned for the funeral – including Colin Russell, Barry Clark, George ‘Lofty’ Holloway, Mary ‘the punk’ Smith and Disa O’Brien.
She spilled: "Coming back to EastEnders for Dot's funeral was a no-brainer, and it was a real honour to be invited back. I had a lot of fun but, of course, it was bittersweet. It was amazing to be back, but hard to be filming this storyline.
"I can tell the viewers now that Dot gets the beautiful send-off that she deserves. June was the light and joy of EastEnders. I had so much fun working with her, the incredible stories and how infectious & witty she was. June is a legend and I miss her very much."
