Tanya Branning to reunite with long-lost mum

EastEnders' Tanya Branning is to reunite with her long-lost mum.

The soon-to-be-wed salon manager will be shocked when her battleaxe mum Cora Cross - played by actress Ann Mitchell - turns up at her Easter wedding to Greg Jessop (Stefan Booth) after the hunky builder secretly invites her to the nuptials.

However, Tanya (Jo Joyner) will be even more shocked when she realises her mum is accompanied by her crack addict sister Rainie (Tanya Franks).

An 'EastEnders' insider told The Sun newspaper: "Cora says what is on her mind no matter who she offends. But she has a secret mission - to build a bridge between Tanya and Rainie."

This is not the first time Ann has appeared in the BBC One soap, as she initially featured as the late Roy Evans' first wife Jane.

She said: "I'm thrilled to join the cast."

However, whether Tanya and Greg's wedding ends up going ahead is yet to be seen, as the mum-of-three will dramatically flee the church to be by the side of her bad boy ex-husband Max Branning (Jake Wood), who has been seriously injured in a road accident.

Meanwhile, Stefan recently admitted here is a chance his on-screen love could get back together with her former flame in the future.

He explained: "I know there's a danger Tanya could end up back with Max again, but I'd like to think their future could sustain a healthy long-term relationship. Greg sees no reason why he and Max can't live side by side in peace."