EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa is hoping an iconic face will return permanently following a brief appearance a couple of days ago.

On Monday, March 16, the residents of Walford were busy celebrating Mother’s Day. Peter Beale (Thomas Law) promised Lauren Branning, played by Jacqueline, that he had a big surprise planned for her.

The entire Beale and Branning clan were stunned when Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell) unexpectedly rocked up. She explained to Peter and Lauren that Tanya (Jo Joyner), Lauren’s mum, wasn’t able to make it.

But that didn’t matter at all!

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 shaken following her attack last week, which was orchestrated by Mark Fowler Jr (Stephen Aaron-Sipple).

Cora encouraged Lauren not to 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.

The former Albert Square resident made tracks following the Mother’s Day get-together, but not before reuniting with grandson Oscar (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) as the two shared a warm exchange. The embrace reminded Ian (Adam Woodyatt) of his gran Lou (Anna Wing), who passed away in 1988.

It was a very brief appearance, but could we see Cora return in the future?

Jacqueline Jossa really hopes so.

Over on the EastEnders Instagram page, the star wrote on a post about the character: ‘Petition for her to make a permanent return anyone? Pleaseeeeee’.

Plenty of fans of the BBC One soap responded to Jacqueline in agreement. Comments included ‘YES’ and ‘Pleeease!’ and ‘AGREED’.

Also on the post, this user wrote: ‘Love her, she needs to stay. Imagine her and Big Mo as friends, they would be hilarious’.

Another added: ‘Bring her back full time team PLEASE!’.

‘We need Cora back please. Her and Elaine could be friends’, this account wrote, already pitching a great idea.

Come on then EastEnders, get it sorted!