The actor in question was working on the programme for 11 years
EastEnders fans are convinced that Lauren Branning and Peter Beale’s baby is named after one of the show’s former actors.
It’s been a period of departures on the BBC soap, with Sonia Fowler and Bianca Jackson both leaving last month after joining the programme in 1993.
On top of this, viewers are still getting used to life without Martin Fowler and Reiss Colwell, who both died after an explosion at the Queen Vic in February’s 40th anniversary week.
While Ross Marshall and his son Joel arrived in April with a returning Vicki Fowler, fans have been desperate for new faces to show up in Walford.
In scenes that aired on Wednesday night (May 8), Cindy Beale had to take matters into her own hands to get Lauren to hospital when their ambulance was delayed.
Despite Cindy and Lauren being at odds before the former was bribed to leave Albert Square in February, they joined forces to get through the ordeal.
Prior to Cindy’s affair with Junior Knight being exposed at Christmas, Lauren’s future-mum-in-law was supplying her with drugs in order to get easy money.
After returning to the show on Monday (May 5), Cindy showed a rare kind side as she shared a heart-to-heart with Lauren at the hospital.
With the baby’s dad and her fianceé Peter nowhere to be seen, Lauren admitted that she feared the implications her addiction would have on her newborn.
Lauren went on to give birth to a healthy baby, with Ian, Kathy and Peter Beale eventually arriving and ordering Cindy to leave.
In spite of Cindy being there for Lauren when no one else was, Peter told his mum that he’s adamant he doesn’t want her in his life moving forward.
Peter and Lauren went on to arrive at a unanimous dedication to name their baby boy Jim Branning, as Cindy told Ian and Kathy that she was coming for their businesses.
The name Jim Branning has caused debate among EastEnders fans on X, with many assuming it’s after Lauren’s late grandfather who was married to Dot Cotton.
However, Martin Fowler actor James Bye was nicknamed Jimmy by his castmates, which many fans pointed out on the app previously known as Twitter.
@CallumWhitee_ said: “Why have they called it Jimmy? I thought they’d have called it Martin unless is a tribute to the actors?” @rednwhite99 added: “I thought Jimmy might have been a nod to James bye aka who gets called Jimmy (aka Martin fowler) #EastEnders.”
@WittyWalford noted: “I see some people annoyed by the name of Peter & Lauren’s new baby, Jimmy. James is a Branning name. Jim Branning was Lauren’s Granddad, and Jack previously named his late son after Jim also. #EastEnders.”
@lindassix wrote: “Lauren & Peter name their baby Jimmy??? Oh hell nahh #EastEnders.” @al1ensuperstarr stated: “Baby jimmy?? sorry but NO #EastEnders.”
