EastEnders makes reference to one of its more controversial storylines on Thursday, recalling Lauren Branning’s (Jacqueline Jossa) relationship with first cousin Joey Branning (David Witts).

Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) jokes about their contentious 2012 romance as the Knights throw a welcome home party for Sonia Fowler’s (Natalie Cassidy) newborn baby Julia in the latest episode of the BBC soap.

When a pregnant Lauren, who is expecting her second child with Peter Beale (Thomas Law) remarks how it will be nice for Julia and her baby to grow up as cousins so close in age, Bianca remarks about Lauren and Joey’s closeness.

She later says to Sonia how weird she thinks it is ‘that no one ever talks about it’.

In case you need a refresher, here’s what happened in the storyline…

Who is Joey Branning in EastEnders?

Joey Branning – played by David Witts – was introduced back in 2012 as the estranged son of Derek Branning (Jamie Foreman).

Derek was the older brother of Walford mainstays Jack, Max and Carol (Scott Maslen, Jake Wood, Lindsey Coulson), and the son of the late Jim Branning (John Bardon).

This made Joey nephew to Jack, Carol and Max, and cousin to the likes of Lauren and Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald), Sonia and Bianca.

Joey also arrived in Walford with his sister Alice Branning (Jasmyn Banks).

What happened between Lauren and Joey Branning?

EastEnders embarked upon a controversial storyline when first cousins Joey and Lauren began a sexual relationship.

Upon his arrival in Albert Square, Joey dated Lauren’s best friend Lucy Beale (HettyiBywater), but cheated on her when he kissed Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty).

When Lauren found out, she teamed up with Lucy and Whitney to get revenge, and Joey told Lauren she was just ‘jealous’ he hadn’t kissed her.

While she slapped him in disgust, he then moved in with Max and they started sleeping together, later claiming to be in love.

When Derek uncovered their secret, Lauren and Joey ran away in Derek’s stolen car, but crashed it into a shop. Derek then threatened to tell the police that Lauren was driving the car to force her to break up with Joey. But when he later died of a heart attack, they resumed their relationship.

Upon learning about Lauren and Joey, Lucy spiked Lauren’s drink, which eventually led to Joey breaking up with her and Lauren seeking treatment for alcoholism.

When Joey later decided to go and live with his mum in 2013, he asked Lauren to come with him, but she told him their relationship was never right.

Who played Joey Branning in EastEnders?

Joey was played by newcomer David Witts, in what was his first major TV role.

Since leaving Walford, the actor went on to appear in US teen drama Recovery Road in 2016 and starred alongside Martin Clunes in the second series of ITV’s Manhunt in 2021.

More recently, he starred in Amazon Prime film The Beekeeper and can currently be seen in the new series of Unforgotten on ITV1, playing a character called Sam.