EastEnders‘ Kitty Castledine has teased a romantic future for Penny Branning and Vinny Panesar. The pair began dating earlier this year, following a surprising one-night stand.

So far, Vinny and Penny’s romance has been playing out pretty slowly on screen. However, things are about to accelerate soon when they discover Penny is pregnant.

In next week’s episodes, Jack Branning stumbles across a pregnancy test in his house and is determined to find its owner. After an awkward investigation, Penny admits that the test is hers, but tells her dad that the result was negative.

The family meal quickly turns sour when Jack expresses his great relief. Irritated Penny accuses Jack of treating her differently because of her disability, before revealing that she is, in fact, pregnant.

Later, Penny reluctantly invites Vinny to her GP appointment, after her cousin Oscar accidentally blurts out the news. Could a baby bring the couple closer together, and will they finally cement their relationship?

Actor Castledine, who plays Penny, addressed the budding romance and described Vinny as “everything Penny has never had in a relationship”. She explained that “kind-hearted” Vinny could help bring out Penny’s more nurturing side.

“She has always gone for a bad boy, and the beauty of Penny and Vinny is that they are honest with each other. He brings out a soft, warm side of Penny, something we’ve never seen from her before,” Castledine said.

The star hinted that the pair will “learn a lot from each other”, as their relationship progresses, adding: “They both have qualities the other could benefit from.”

“Penny is feisty, dominant, and always says what she thinks, and Vinny needs to stand up for himself against his mum and family. Penny could learn from Vinny’s kind‑natured heart and his good values, qualities she believes she doesn’t naturally possess.”