EastEndersspoilers follow for Monday’s (March 16) episode, which is now available to stream onBBCiPlayer.

A return kept under wraps is the best kind, which is something EastEnders fans found out for themselves when they pressed play on the latest offering of the BBC One soap via iPlayer.

With Mother’s Day being celebrated in the Square,Peter Beale(Thomas Law) promised wifeLauren Branning(Jacqueline Jossa) a big surprise to mark the occasion – and he certainly delivered as a family gathering over at 45 Albert Square proved eventful in all the right ways.

Lauren was delighted – as I expect the fans were too – whenCora Cross (Ann Mitchell)unexpectedly arrived at the premises, leaving her granddaughter in shock.

The popular character,last seen in the Square in 2018, has been on fans’ wishlist for quite sometime, especially in the wake of the Branning renaissance that has been unfolding over the past last year.

It didn’t take long for the usual Albert Square drama to unfold following her return, with Cora’s presence at the dinner table well and truly setting the cat among the pigeons as she caught up on Walford gossip.

Max Branning(Jake Wood) in particular had his nose put out of joint by his ex-mother-in-law’s arrival as he repeatedly put her down but Cora was more than capable of holding her own, holding Max to account for all the mistakes he’s made over the years.

Lauren, meanwhile, was still shakenfollowing her attack last week, which was orchestrated byMark Fowler Jr(Stephen Aaron-Sipple) – though she remains in the dark about such a thing.

Cora encouraged Lauren to not let the attack get in her head, which left her with food for thought as she agreed to take Mark up on his proposition of putting some business her way.

Though judging from Mark’s facial expression in the subsequent scene, he’s once again up to no good. But will it cost Lauren dearly?

Cora, meanwhile, made tracks following the Mother’s Day get-together, but not before reuniting with grandsonOscar(Pierre Counihan-Moullier) as the two shared a warm exchange.

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The embrace reminded Ian (Adam Woodyatt) of his gran Lou (Anna Wing), who passed away in 1988.

Have we seen the last of Cora? Or will she return again in the future? We’ll just have to wait and see but what an unexpected treat it was to have her back in the Square, if even for a flying visit.

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EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

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