EastEnders fans have theorised that Jacqueline Jossa could be making a comeback to Albert Square as Lauren Branning.
The I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! 2019 winner, 27, was last seen on the BBC One soap back in February 2018 after she was axed by executive consultant John Yorke.
However, speculation has been rife that she could return for the departure of her on-screen dad Jake Wood as he bows out from his role as Max Branning after fifteen years with EastEnders.
Now fans' hopes have reached fever pitch when one on Twitter spotted that the BBC soap's official Twitter account follows Jacqueline's account.
Sharing a shot of the Twitter notification they saw, the fan tweeted: "Big Christmas return they said? This probably means nothing but let me [clown emoji]".
Another Enders devotee shared the tweet, writing: "Lauren returning to marry peter and become lauren beale and coparenting louie...hmm".
Elsewhere, another wrote: "Would be here for a permanent Lauren return actually".
This was echoed by another fan who tweeted: "plsss pls pls"
"It's not like Jacqueline is doing much apart from doing Youtube videos so they could use this opportunity to involve her in her dad leaving the square," speculated another viewer.
However, the original fan who tweeted the notification replied to this tweet, noting: "She has beauty and fashion ranges and two little kids so I imagine they take up a lot of her time but she said recently that she would be open to going back."
Sadly, it does appear fans won't see a return for Lauren Branning any time soon.
A representative for Jacqueline confirmed to Mirror Online: "Jacqueline is not currently in line to return to EastEnders."
Meanwhile, the BBC told Mirror Onine that "the EastEnders account has always followed Jacqueline."
So it seems fan hopes just got carried away, sadly.
Lauren departed the Square in 2018 after falling from the roof of the Queen Vic pub with sister Abi Branning ( Lorna Fitzgerald ).
Sadly, pregnant Abi died from her wounds but daughter Abi Jr. was saved before her death.
After some heart-to-hearts with grieving dad Max and broken mum Tanya ( Jo Joyner ), Lauren left with baby son Louis Beale, dumping boyfriend Josh Hemmings (Eddie Eyre) in the process.
It was later revealed that she had reunited with Louis' dad and her ex Peter Beale in New Zealand, but he returned to the soap earlier this year, recast with actor Dayle Hudson.
Upon his return, Peter revealed that he had split from Lauren off-screen but was still helping her financially.
Jossa told her Instagram followers earlier this year of a return: "Maybe one day."
She added: "I absolutely love EastEnders, love the people, the production and I absolutely love Lauren Branning with all my heart."
Fans will have to keep speculating over which former EastEnders character will be returning to the soap over Christmas, but it seems safe for now that we can cross Lauren off of the list.
Soap boss Kate Oates explained earlier this year: "We have an exciting return planned and it's going to be part of a huge long-running story that we're going to be playing at Christmas."
The return comes amid news of Max's departure and temporary exits for Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).
EastEnders airs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays on BBC One.
Who do you want to return on EastEnders this Christmas? Let us know in the comments below.
