EastEnders‘ Oscar Branning lands himself in trouble next week, when he becomes embroiled in the scurrilous world of local politics. As Ian Beale and Elaine Peacock battle for a place on the council, lonely Oscar decides to have some fun at their expense.

Sadly, there are disastrous results when Oscar tries to play both sides but isn’t as successful as he’d hoped for.

“If anyone needs a giggle, it’s Oscar,” our EastEnders source explains. “He’s been miserable since girlfriend Jasmine went to prison for Anthony’s murder, and with no sign of her release any time soon, he’s a bit of a lost soul.

“Is double-crossing two of Walford’s feistiest residents really the best way to cheer yourself up, though?”

Still mooning over jailed Jasmine, self-destructing Oscar is spending his nights partying way too hard. When he rocks up at the café one morning following another big bender, the bleary-eyed boy is clearly covering his hurt over Jasmine’s absence.

Oblivious to the lad’s broken heart, Ian spies an opportunity and collars Oscar. Thinking he needs some young energy to boost his campaign to rejoin the council, Ian asks Oscar to help his cause – hoping he’ll be the secret weapon to beat rival Elaine. There’s just one snag…

“Elaine has the same idea,” our insider continues. “Later in the week, she asks Oscar to start a secret smear campaign to ruin Ian’s reputation, unaware he’s meant to be working for Mr Beale.

“Oscar finds the whole thing hilarious, until both Ian and Elaine cotton on to the fact he’s been playing them both.”

Sacked on the spot by both council hopefuls, how will Oscar fill his time now?

The popular character may not be bored for long, as tabloid reports have recently tipped him for a new romance with Jasmine’s twin brother Josh.

Show bosses officially announced yesterday that actor Joshua Vaughan is taking on the role of Josh, who’ll make his first on-screen appearance later this month after his recent voice cameo.

“It has been incredibly humbling to join the cast of EastEnders and find myself at the intersection of the iconic Trueman and Slater families,” Vaughan said yesterday. “Getting to work alongside such legacy actors is a masterclass, and I’ve learned so much from them.

“Josh is a big ball of love and I’m so excited for the audience to see the drama unfold as he arrives onto the Square.”