Derek Branning

[Perdita]

EastEnders star David Witts has admitted that he is "sad" over his on-screen father Jamie Foreman's departure from the soap.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Foreman will be bowing out from his role as Derek Branning in a big Christmas storyline. He has been appearing in the part for nearly a year.

Witts, who plays Joey Branning, told Inside Soap of the news: "I'm sad, all my early memories of being in EastEnders are with Jamie. Jamie's been so generous with his time and really looked after me.

"But I doubt he'll be sad for long because I know he'll move on to other great jobs."

Asked how Joey will react to his dad's exit, he replied: "You'd think he'd shrug it off. But Joey is all over the place, so his reaction may be surprising."

In the meantime, viewers can expect Joey's relationship with his cousin Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) to hot up next week as they share a kiss. The pair are currently falling for each other in a surprising new storyline.

Offering his take on the plot, Witts said: "If they had grown up together or played together as kids, then I could understand people thinking it's creepy or weird. But they've met as adults and it's only because they've been told they are cousins that they even know they're related.

"With the Brannings being the Brannings, it's bound to kick off. They won't be very happy about this at all."

EastEnders continues tonight (October 23) at 7.30pm on BBC One.

[alan45]

ALBERT Square residents are in for another grisly Christmas when EastEnders hardman Derek Branning is killed off.
Cast members were spotted filming Derek’s funeral in a churchyard this week – and sources say it will mark the end of an explosive storyline.
Among the “mourners” at the burial were Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd), Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) and Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell).

Derek, who has been played by Jamie Foreman since November 2011, has been written out by show bosses.
A source told TV Biz: “Derek has been a huge force in the Square since he joined and has had some fantastic storylines but his exit will be his best storyline yet.
“It’s being kept tightly under wraps because bosses want to surprise fans on Christmas Day.”
The character was a hit – Jamie bagged a nomination for Best Newcomer at this year’s British Soap Awards.


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz2AvcY1Qe1

[alan45]

ALBERT Square residents are in for another grisly Christmas when EastEnders hardman Derek Branning is killed off.
Cast members were spotted filming Derek’s funeral in a churchyard this week – and sources say it will mark the end of an explosive storyline.
Among the “mourners” at the burial were Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd), Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) and Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell).

Derek, who has been played by Jamie Foreman since November 2011, has been written out by show bosses.
A source told TV Biz: “Derek has been a huge force in the Square since he joined and has had some fantastic storylines but his exit will be his best storyline yet.
“It’s being kept tightly under wraps because bosses want to surprise fans on Christmas Day.”
The character was a hit – Jamie bagged a nomination for Best Newcomer at this year’s British Soap Awards.


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz2AvcY1Qe1

[Perdita]

A number of EastEnders cast members have been seen filming what appear to be funeral scenes.

Scott Maslen (Jack Branning) was spotted along with Steve John Shepherd (Michael Moon) at a churchyard in Hertfordshire on Tuesday (October 30).


EastEnders cast and crew film location scenes at a church in Hertfordshire.







Ann Mitchell (Cora Cross) and Lorna Fitzgerald (Abi Branning) were also seen on location, prompting speculation that Derek Branning (Jamie Foreman) could be killed off.

However, Max Branning (Jake Wood) is also due to re-marry ex-wife Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner) at Christmas.

"Derek has been a huge force in the Square since he joined and has had some fantastic storylines but his exit will be his best storyline yet," an insider told The Sun.

"[The storyline is] being kept tightly under wraps because bosses want to surprise fans on Christmas Day."

It was revealed last month that Foreman will leave EastEnders in a big Christmas storyline.

David Witts, who plays Derek's son Joey, recently admitted that he will be "sad" to see Foreman leave the BBC One soap, and praised his co-star for being "so generous with his time".

[kayuqtuq]

Glad to see the back of Derek, just wish he'd take Joey and Alice with him. They are all terrible actors!

[Perdita]

EastEnders character Max Branning has been picked by bookies as the most likely culprit in the possible Christmas murder of Derek Branning.

Rumours that Derek would be killed gathered pace when various cast members were this week pictured filming what appeared to be funeral scenes.

This followed the revelation that actor Jamie Foreman would be departing from his villainous role on the BBC soap over the festive period.

Bookmakers BetVictor have placed Max (Jake Wood), who has had a dark secret kept by Derek over the past year, as the favourite at 6/1.

Christian Clarke (7/1) is second most likely, with Derek's possible love interest Kat Moon (8/1) in third.

Naturally, Alfie (8/1) sits behind his unfaithful wife in fourth place, while fans can place bets on Den Watts being responsible at a price of 200/1. Dot Branning and Dennis Rickman Jr are both also distant outsiders at 100/1.

[Dutchgirl]

Abi seems to be wearing a bridesmaid frock and hairpiece

[LostVoodoo]

Abi seems to be wearing a bridesmaid frock and hairpiece

I was thinking it looked a bit jolly for a funeral!

[LostVoodoo]

Abi seems to be wearing a bridesmaid frock and hairpiece

I was thinking it looked a bit jolly for a funeral!

[alan45]

EastEnders' Branning family have emotional scenes ahead as they pay their last respects to bad boy Derek.

Derek, played by Jamie Foreman, will be killed off in an upcoming storyline - but details of how he dies are being kept firmly under wraps by show bosses.

Cast and crew have been busy filming Derek's funeral episode in recent days, and new pictures have now been revealed offering a glimpse at the scenes in store.


© BBC



© BBC



© BBC


Perhaps surprisingly given the animosity between them, Derek's son Joey seems to be one of the characters most affected by his father's passing. Joey's sister Alice is seen comforting him as he breaks down outside the church.

Foreman joined EastEnders as Derek late last year and his departure from the soap was confirmed last month.

Although Derek's death has not been officially confirmed as a murder, Max Branning has emerged as the bookies' favourite to kill him off.