EASTENDERS’ Lauren Branning has been punched to the floor in a brutal attack today.

The car saleswoman – who is played by actress Jacqueline Jossa in the BBC soap – was brutally attacked for the car she was taking out on a test drive with Mark Fowler Jr.

Mark manipulated Lauren by pretending he was hungry and wanted a sandwich as they pulled up outside a bakery.

Leaving her to go and get it, he told her there was a crack in the bumper that she should check out while he was buying a sandwich.

With Lauren out of the car, Mark’s accomplice struck – but when she resisted, he punched her to the ground.

He grabbed the keys and drove off in the car leaving Lauren bleeding on the floor.

At that point Mark ran outside to play the hero and rescue Lauren while the car disappeared.

He told Lauren that she was safe now and that he was there.

But it soon became apparent that he had arranged it all.

In an alleyway later the man appeared and met Mark – but Mark wasn’t thrilled to see him.

“What the hell were you playing at?” he raged.

“You weren’t supposed to touch her.”

“She got lairy,” the man said.

“She’s a live wire. I’ll take my cut when it’s there.”

Mark pushed him away and told him: “You better hope she doesn’t remember what you look like or you ain’t getting a cut.

“Get out of my face now.”

But will Mark get away with stealing from Lauren and will the pair have a passionate affair as fans expect?

Mark returned to the Square on New Year’s Day in the special flashforward episode that confirmed Lauren would be embarking on an affair behind husband Peter Beale’s back.

Fans spotted chemistry with the pair since his return – though his gangland problems might threaten any romance.

He has been forced to hunt down police informant Ravi Gulati for the gang but will soon be given a way out himself – with his uncle Phil’s help.