EastEnders’ Lauren Branning discovered she was pregnant on the BBC soap on Tuesday night after feeling unwell recently, and fans think Peter Beale isn’t the father

Viewers tuning into EastEnders on Tuesday believed they had rumbled a paternity twist, amid Lauren Branning’s pregnancy.

Lauren uncovered she was pregnant after taking a test in the latest episode of the BBC soap. After weeks of feeling unwell, months on from a horror crush that left her injured, Lauren learned the truth.

Amid concern for her health she visited a doctor where she was told that she needed to reduce her pain medication for her crush injuries, and that she wasn’t able to have another prescription. Lauren was in turmoil, claiming to still be in pain and later she told sister-in-law Anna Knight she was having daily headaches.

When she revealed she’d also been sick that morning Anna questioned if she might be pregnant. Lauren wasn’t sure but soon realised it was a possibility, eventually taking a test and seeing it was positive.

But before the news was revealed, something about Lauren’s reaction to Anna’s question and what she said to Anna sparked suspicion. Lauren and Peter recently reunited around the time she was seriously hurt in the crush.

Lauren had told Anna she couldn’t be pregnant because Peter “hadn’t been near her” since everything had happened. She then pulled a face before fleeing, later shown taking the test.

Viewers tuning into EastEnders on Tuesday believed they had rumbled a paternity twist (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Lauren had also said her menstrual cycle had been all over the place, but she didn’t specify how long for. Now, viewers are wondering if Lauren has been pregnant for longer than she realised.

They think Peter is not the father of Lauren’s baby, and it will actually be someone else. While some fans questioned if Junior Knight might be the father, most viewers believed it was Zack Hudson after the pair slept together earlier this year.

While it possibly isn’t the case given Lauren and Zack slept together at the end of April, so around seven months ago, fans can’t help but suspect there is more to the baby storyline. One viewer posted on X: “Peter ain’t been near me??? Sorry don’t tell me Lauren is having Zack’s baby… didn’t they sleep with each other MONTHS ago.”

Another viewer said: “The question is how Lauren tell Zack she’s pregnant and how will Zack react.” A third fan commented: “Blimey didn’t Lauren use protection with Zack?” as a fourth said: “Zack’s storyline will be having Lauren’s baby.”

Spoilers for next week reveal Lauren is struggling, as she makes a confession to cousin Penny Branning. But will Lauren tell Peter about the baby?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.