Oscar Branning to return to EastEnders for first time in eight years
Branning will return to the BBC soap aged 17 and will be played by Pierre Moullier, having previously been portrayed by Gabriel Miller-Williams, Neo Hall and Charlee Hall.
Moullier said: 'It's pretty surreal to join EastEnders – it keeps hitting me that I'm actually on Albert Square.
'When I found out I was joining the Brannings, it was so exciting as they are such an iconic family, and I love that there are so many skeletons in the closet.
'Oscar is so much fun to play, and the audience should be prepared for the unexpected as he's a complex guy.'
Producers have kept the reason for his return secret, but say it will be revealed when his older sister, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), receives a mysterious call, with Oscar's return set to 'turn her life upside down'.
EastEnders executive producer Ben Wadey said: 'I'm very excited to bring Oscar Branning back to Walford and introduce viewers to him now that he's all grown up.
'Oscar is very much a Branning which means there's going to be plenty of drama in store this summer.
'We're delighted to welcome Pierre as he takes on the role and can't wait for viewers to see him bring Oscar to life.'
Oscar last appeared in the show when he visited Max on Father's Day in 2017, before returning to Exeter, where he lived with his mother.
The character is expected to return to Albert Square next month, with Moullier already filming scenes for the show.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
30 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Naga Munchetty ‘had talks with Sky News' but her ‘tough & difficult reputation' scuppered bid to escape ‘toxic' BBC
NAGA Munchetty has "had talks with Sky News" but her "difficult reputation" ruined her chances of leaving the BBC, insiders claimed. It comes amid the Sun's exposé on toxicity at the morning show, with editor Richard Frediani on leave amid bullying claims. 3 Naga Munchetty allegedly had talks with Sky News and LBC in a bid to escape the BBC Credit: Getty 3 It comes amid the Sun's exposé on toxicity at the morning show Credit: BBC Naga, 50, has also come under fire and was rapped for allegedly bullying a junior staffer on BBC Breakfast last year. She is also said to have made a crude quip about a sex act in an off-air break on Radio 5 Live in 2022. Now industry insiders have claimed Naga had been in talks with Sky News and radio station LBC in an attempt to ditch the Beeb. Sources alleged discussions were quickly scrapped because network bosses were weary of the presenter's "tough" persona. "There were quite a few discussions with both Sky and LBC but then it was decided by both that they wouldn't go any further," an insider told the Mail. "She is quite sharp and it is perhaps not what they were looking for, so it all kind of fell apart. "Rightly or wrongly, Naga has a reputation for being quite tough and difficult at times – they didn't like that." This comes as Naga - now at the centre of a BBC Breakfast toxicity row - has been rapped for two incidents in three years. Yesterday the presenter opened up and said she hates bullies in a new interview. She said: 'I was no angel but I hated seeing people bullied. BBC star Naga Munchetty hauled in by bosses over allegations she BULLIED a junior staffer and 'made an off-air sex jibe' "I remember there were a couple of kids in school who were bullied and I just hated it. "So I'd always kind of be that person who would speak to everyone.' Earlier this week, The Sun exclusively reported how things were not all rosy on the show's iconic red sofa. We told how anchor Naga had been hauled in by show bosses amid allegations she bullied a junior staffer. Naga was also hauled in over a sex jibe made at Radio 5 Live where she is said to have used a crude slang term for a sex act during an off-air break — before asking a colleague if they had done it. The alleged remark stunned the Radio 5 Live studio and led to Naga being hauled before bosses. She was reprimanded by a senior producer but no formal action was taken. The comment became widely known at 5 Live, with one source describing the 2022 incident as: 'Crass, inappropriate and wildly unprofessional. The person felt embarrassed.' We can also reveal that on BBC Breakfast last year, she was rapped for the alleged bullying of a woman, who was the most junior staffer. As part of the bullying behaviour, the star is said to have falsely accused her of stealing, which led to a closed-door showdown. The source said: 'It was humiliating. There was no evidence, no apology. The woman left not long after, completely demoralised.' Another insider added: 'That wasn't an isolated incident. It really is the tip of the iceberg.' Naga is the first female presenter to be caught up in the series of scandals which have gripped the BBC. Strictly's Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima had to leave over bullying claims, and Wynne Evans quit the live tour over the word 'spitroast', which can be a sexual reference. But the broadcaster is now facing questions of double standards. A Breakfast insider said: 'If a male presenter made a sexual comment like that or falsely accused someone of theft, he'd be out the door. But with Naga, it gets brushed off.' A BBC spokesperson said: 'While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously.' Breakfast is already in turmoil amid claims of a 'deeply divided workplace' and off-air tensions between Naga and co-host Charlie Stayt. The flagship show's editor Richard Frediani is also at the centre of a formal bullying investigation. It was confirmed the BBC was conducting an internal review into his behaviour and general allegations of toxicity on the show. An internal email was sent to the BBC Breakfast team thanking them for their 'professionalism' as they continue their work amid the row. Who are the current presenters of BBC Breakfast? The flagship BBC show has had dozens of presenters during its impressive 40 years on air but the current stars are: Jon Kay - Since 2022 Sally Nugent - Since 2021 Charlie Stayt - Since 2006 Naga Munchetty - Since 2014 Carol Kirkwood - Since 1997
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Erasure's Andy Bell on kissing Boy George on stage
'I just said to him really quickly, kiss me, and he did!' Andy Bell, best known as an iconic figure of the LGBTQ+ scene in the 80s and one-half of Erasure, has just released his latest solo album Ten Crowns and is set to perform at Brighton Pride in August. At 61 years old, the artist has been in the music industry for decades and carved an important path as one of the few openly gay music artists in the industry in the 80s. In a powerful moment during the Brit Awards in February 1989, Andy was presented with an award on stage by Boy George and took this opportunity to kiss him on the lips. 'It was funny because I'm not sure how much kissing I'd seen – I love doing it, I love being out, and I love kissing on people and with my partner and stuff – But yeah, because we weren't really exposed to it very much. 'I just remember, when George came on the stage, I was really pleased that it was him. Just as he passed me the award, I just said to him really quickly, 'kiss me', and he did, and it just happened like that. 'So it was, I think, probably one of the only moments ever where I've done something on purpose,' he said. He explained that the interaction wasn't a pre-discussed or planned moment, but something he thought would be a bold move in the moment. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! 'Because we never ever planned press stunts or anything like that at all.' He said, adding: 'It was a kind of blink and you miss it moment.' The smooch took place the same year that the first on-screen kiss aired to the British public in an episode of EastEnders between characters Colin Russell and his partner Barry Clark. As one of the few openly gay pop stars in the 80s, Andy once told The Guardian that he felt the need to be 'outrageous' at the time, which meant outrageous outfits and outrageous comments, which he said was a 'defence mechanism'. 'I just started developing this character, you know, out of necessity, really, to this larger than life person, just to deal with hecklers and stuff like that. 'I learned most of my stuff from drag queens, you know, from going and seeing drag queens in the pubs and so, yeah, this character is built over the years.' He said that he made his character a 'screamer' and it meant he didn't have to announce his sexuality in every interview. 'In the beginning, especially playing in North America and places you kind of it gets boring saying you're gay all the time, all the time, you know, in an interview. 'So I just thought I'd, I'd make, I'd have this character on stage. It was like a screamer, just so there were no questions asked. 'I know that it's a bit of a cliche now when I look back, but I just didn't want there to be any compromises or anything. 'For me, it felt like, almost like it was a defence mechanism, but like a shield almost,' he said. Andy's new album features a track titled Heart's A Liar with Blondie star Debbie Harry. 'I just feel like that. I feel like I've not struck gold, but kind of been blessed by music royalty,' he said of working with the iconic singer. 'To me, that's better than anybody in the whole of the music industry. You know, she's the top dog, she really is.' He added that in the music industry, relationships are often transactional and somewhat fake, which wasn't the case with Debbie. 'I know they've had really tough times as well, Blondie. So has Erasure, people all have time in the wilderness, and I think just for someone to reach your hand and say, 'Oh, come on, you know, I'll help you.' That's basically what it is. 'You just don't get that either in the music industry. It's all these back-handed compliments and handshakes, and everything's for commercial gain. Nothing is sincere anymore.' Andy has worked alongside his Erasure other half, Vince Clarke, for decades, taking time to do his own solo work, but always coming together to create music as Erasure. 'When we meet, it's kind of like, it is like, like an ex-lover, and you're meeting up again,' he says, revealing that he's only managed to see him twice this year. 'You're kind of defining your roles, or coming back together, and because it's very raw when you're writing together – I mean, I feel almost sorry for people that have been couples like Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. You know how that must be really tough when you're a real couple. 'But just because we haven't slept with each other doesn't mean that you don't have intimate moments.' He explains that when they get back together, after a little initial awkwardness, they are back into the swing. 'Once you've established that trust, it's there forever,' he says. The singer is set to perform at Brighton Pride in August and emphasised that celebrating the LGBTQ+ community is just as important today as it has always been. More Trending 'As long as we're a target, as long as we're in a position where all of a sudden you're being scapegoated by whichever political party, then we're obviously not safe. 'Until everything is just as it should be, normalised and we're all treated the same and we're all treated fairly, we're still working towards something.' Andy Bell's album Ten Crowns is out now, and he is set to perform at Brighton Pride supported by Hayu, on August 3 . Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: I attended the UK's biggest true crime convention — it wasn't what I expected MORE: 'I was the only out lesbian MP for 13 years – here's how Parliament has changed' MORE: I told my date my sexual preferences and was immediately ghosted
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Emmerdale confirms new accomplice for John as he gets rid of Robert
John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) spies an opportunity in Emmerdale soon as he grows desperate to get rid of Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley). A few days ago, John visited Robert in prison. He was feeling insecure about his relationship with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) after discovering his partner was planning on visiting his ex. John believed he had the ability to scare Robert away, but he did not count on the Sugden practically seeing right through him. Robert called John the 'unwanted rut' of the family and believed he was incredibly odd. Watching John shake with rage, Robert concluded that he was going to do his upmost to get Aaron away from his new partner. In upcoming episodes, Robert is causing problems after giving his sister a black eye. He attempts to readjust to life outside of prison by getting a trial at Caleb's (William Ash) depot, but he's pressured by John to end the employment. Robert is disappointed and when he finds out that John interfered, he confronts him outside. The two brothers argue, and John is left even more determined to get rid of Robert after seeing Victoria's black eye. In an attempt to make Aaron jealous, Robert goes on a date later in the week, but he becomes even more troubled when he realises his ex isn't bothered about his hook-up at all. On his own at The Hide, Robert fails to spot his date drugging his drink. While Robert doesn't realise what's going on, John does, and he works out that this is the perfect opportunity to get rid. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! John intervenes and throws an unconscious Robert in the back of his van. As he lies there, John prepares a syringe and debates whether or not he's capable of killing his own brother. More Trending The murderer doesn't go through with the plan as later, Robert wakes up in the back of a van, with no memory of how he got there. John's perhaps playing a risky game letting Robert go, as there's every chance his memory from this situation will return. View More » Will Robert be the one to learn the truth about John? MORE: Huge Robert shock in early Emmerdale ITVX release MORE: Emmerdale legend injured as the finger is pointed at a major character MORE: Emmerdale's Cain collapses in ITVX streaming release as John claims another victim
