EastEnders has revealed the emotional reason for Peter Beale and Lauren Branning’s young boys going missing in a shock cliffhanger.

Show bosses had previously announced a worrying moment ahead for Peter and Lauren, as Louie and baby Jimmy both disappear amid rising family tensions.

The exact reasons for Louie and Jimmy going AWOL had been kept quiet, but all becomes clear in Thursday’s episode – which is streaming early on BBC iPlayer a day in advance.

As a new day begins in Walford, Peter is refusing to speak to Lauren after hearing that she shared a kiss with Zack Hudson a few weeks ago.

The troubled couple must put their differences to one side when they head to the hospital together to receive the results of Jimmy’s recent gene tests.

Doctors confirm that Jimmy’s blindness has been caused by a genetic mutation, which is not inherited or caused by opioid use.

This finally rules out the theory that Lauren could have inadvertently been responsible with her dependence on drugs when she was pregnant.

Peter apologises for accusing Lauren, but they remain a long way off from resolving the other issues in their rocky relationship.

With Peter still livid over Lauren’s recent betrayal, he confronts Zack back on the Square and a fight breaks out between the two men. Peter is no match for Zack and ends up being humiliated all over again.

Peter and Lauren continue their own tensions back at home, exchanging some harsh words during another blazing row.

Louie overhears the bust-up and tries to reassure baby Jimmy, gently covering his ears and telling him: “It’s okay. Parents argue. It’s just what they do.”

Shortly afterwards, Peter and Lauren discover that both boys are gone and the back door has been left open.

It’s clear that Louie has taken Jimmy off somewhere to protect him from the nasty row – but could they now be in danger? And could Peter and Lauren ever forgive themselves if something terrible happened?