Jacqueline Jossa

Jacqueline Mary Osborne (née Jossa) (born 29 October 1992) is an English actress. She is known for portraying Lauren Branning in the BBC soap opera EastEnders since 2010. In 2019, Jossa won the nineteenth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.

Early life Jossa was born on 29 October 1992 in Bexley. She trained at D&B Theatre School in Bromley, followed by the Royal Academy of Music in London. She is the cousin of former EastEnders actress Megan Jossa. Her cousin, Ciara Watling, is a Northern Ireland international footballer.

Career EastEnders Jossa was cast in EastEnders in 2010 as Lauren Branning, taking over the role from Madeline Duggan, who had portrayed the character since 2006. Her first appearance was on 27 September 2010. Jossa also appeared in Lauren's internet spin-off series, Lauren's Diaries, with two series in 2010 and 2011. In September 2017, it was revealed that Jossa would be leaving EastEnders after seven years alongside on-screen sister, Lorna Fitzgerald. Their exit was a decision made by the new temporary producer John Yorke. A spokesperson for the soap said, "We can confirm that Jacqueline and Lorna will be leaving EastEnders. They have both been wonderful to work with, and we wish them all the best for the future". Jossa's exit scenes aired on 16 February 2018.

Jossa returned to the show in December 2022 for the episode that saw the funeral of Lauren's step-grandmother Dot Cotton (June Brown), before departing again in the following episode. Jossa made a previously unannounced appearance in the episode broadcast on 22 June 2023 that accommodated the permanent return of Ian Beale and Cindy Beale, alongside Peter Beale, now played by Thomas Law. In October 2023, it was confirmed that Jossa would be returning to EastEnders permanently.

Other ventures In 2013, she appeared as a panellist on the BBC Three comedy panel show Sweat the Small Stuff. In November 2019, Jossa was a contestant on the nineteenth series of the ITV reality TV show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. She subsequently won the show, and was crowned 'Queen of the Jungle'. Jossa's current role includes advertising products on social media as an influencer. In June 2022, the Advertising Standards Agency publicly reprimanded her for not disclosing financial connections with advertisers.

Personal life On 24 June 2017, Jossa married television personality Dan Osborne. They have two daughters together, born in 2015 and 2018. The couple separated in March 2026.

Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes 2010–2018, 2022–present EastEnders Lauren Branning Regular role 2010–2011 EastEnders: E20 Recurring role (series 1); guest (Series 2, 3) 2019 I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Herself Winner (season 19) 2026 Michael McIntyre's Big Show Lauren Branning 1 episode

Awards and nominations Jossa was nominated for the 2011 TV Choice Awards for "Best Soap Newcomer". On 25 January 2012 Jossa won "Best Newcomer" at the National Television Awards. She was shortlisted in the category "Sexiest Female" in The British Soap Awards in 2012, 2013 and 2014 but lost to Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre) of Coronation Street. Jossa received the 2013 Inside Soap Award for Best Actress, nominated for Best Storyline in 2013 ("Lauren's struggle with alcohol"), and for four consecutive years (2013 to 2016) for 'Sexiest Female'.

Year Ceremony Award Work Result 2011 TV Choice Awards Best Soap Newcomer EastEnders 2012 National Television Awards Best Newcomer 2012 All About Soap Awards Best Dressed Soap Star 2012 The British Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2012 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2012 Inside Soap Awards Best Dressed Soap Star 2013 National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance 2013 All About Soap Awards Best Stunt: Joey and Lauren's Crash 2013 All About Soap Awards Forbidden Lovers: Joey and Lauren 2013 British Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2013 Inside Soap Awards Best Actress 2013 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2013 Inside Soap Awards Best Storyline: Lauren's Struggle With Alcohol 2014 British Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2014 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2015 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2016 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2025 National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance 2025 TVTimes Awards Favourite Soap Actor