have announced that six of its most iconic characters will be returning to the soap for a special episode which sees the residents of Walford attend Dot Cotton's funeral.
Bosses revealed that Lauren Branning (), George 'Lofty' Holloway (Tom Watt), Colin Russell (Lord Michael Cashman CBE), Barry Clark (Gary Hailes) , Mary 'the punk' Smith (Linda Davidson) and Disa O'Brien (Jan Graveson) will reprise their roles for the upcoming episodes.
But since leaving the soap, these stars have taken their careers in vastly different directions, ranging from stints on , to ghost-writing famous biographies, to entering politics as a member of the House Of Lords.
So, as EastEnders fans prepare to welcome back these iconic stars to Albert Square for Dot's final farewell, MailOnline takes a look at how their careers have fared since leaving the soap.
Blast from the past: EastEnders have announced that six of its most iconic characters will be returning to the soap to attend Dot Cotton's funeral - here MailOnline takes a look at their careers since leaving Walford behind
  Throwback: Jacqueline Jossa played Lauren Branning on EastEnders from 2010 to 2018, before leaving the soap to explore other acting roles 
Jacqueline Jossa (played Lauren Branning from 2010 to 2018)
Jacqueline originally joined the EastEnders cast to take over the role of teen Lauren, and throughout her eight-year stint featured in a slew of hard-hitting storylines, including her mum Tanya's breast cancer diagnosis, and her own alcoholism.
However, Lauren decided to leave Albert Square in 2018 to start a new life in New Zealand with her son Louie, after her sister Abi was killed following a fall from the roof of the Queen Vic.
After leaving EastEnders, Jacqueline went onto appear on the 2019 series of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

and webpage was eventually crowned champion.
She's the winner! After leaving EastEnders, Jacqueline went onto appear on the 2019 series of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! and was eventually crowned champion
Glam: Since then Jacqueline has landed several big-money brand deals, including a range with InTheStyle, and has recently made a name for herself as a social media influencer
Since then Jacqueline has landed several big-money brand deals, including a range with InTheStyle, and has recently made a name for herself as a social media influencer.
Jacqueline is also married to TOWIE star Dan Osborne, and the couple share two daughters, Ella, seven, and Mia, three, but their relationship hasn't been short of drama, with the couple previously reported to have split in 2018 when it was claimed Dan cheated with Love Island star Gabby Allen.
However both stars denied the claims, and a then-pregnant Jacqueline eventually reconciled with Dan.