<P> Tanya Lauren Branning ( also Cross and Jessop ) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders , played by Jo Joyner . She made her first appearance on 27 June 2006 . She left the show temporarily on 25 December 2009 for maternity leave and returned for one episode on 23 June 2010 . She made her full - time return on 27 September 2010 . Tanya 's storylines have included opening her own salon , giving birth to her third child , divorcing and then burying Max Branning ( Jake Wood ) alive , marrying Greg Jessop ( Stefan Booth ) , starting an affair with Max , dealing with her cervical cancer and discovering that Max has a secret wife , Kirsty Branning ( Kierston Wareing ) . On 1 May 2012 , it was announced Joyner would take another break from the series in 2013 , however , on 1 April 2013 , it was announced her departure would be indefinite . On 15 May 2013 , Joyner filmed her final scenes and departed on 28 June 2013 . Tanya returned in February 2015 for two episodes as part of the show 's 30th anniversary celebrations . </P>
<P> Tanya Lauren Branning ( also Cross and Jessop ) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders , played by Jo Joyner . She made her first appearance on 27 June 2006 . She left the show temporarily on 25 December 2009 for maternity leave and returned for one episode on 23 June 2010 . She made her full - time return on 27 September 2010 . Tanya 's storylines have included opening her own salon , giving birth to her third child , divorcing and then burying Max Branning ( Jake Wood ) alive , marrying Greg Jessop ( Stefan Booth ) , starting an affair with Max , dealing with her cervical cancer and discovering that Max has a secret wife , Kirsty Branning ( Kierston Wareing ) . On 1 May 2012 , it was announced Joyner would take another break from the series in 2013 , however , on 1 April 2013 , it was announced her departure would be indefinite . On 15 May 2013 , Joyner filmed her final scenes and departed on 28 June 2013 . Tanya returned in February 2015 for two episodes as part of the show 's 30th anniversary celebrations . </P>
who plays max branning 's wife in eastenders
who plays max branning 's wife in eastenders
Jo Joyner
Jo Joyner