EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa, who of course plays troubled teen Lauren Branning, has told the Sun’s TV Biz that real-life teenaged binge drinkers need help and “someone to talk to.”

As fans of the show will know, Lauren is currently battling with an alcohol problem as she struggles to come to terms with her mum Tanya’s (Jo Joyner) cancer.

And of course, Lauren’s childhood was an unsettled one, what with her mum and dad Max (Jake Wood) separating after his affair with Stacey Slater. Then, Tanya remarried, but when she embarked on an affair with Max, her husband Greg (Stefan Booth) left her.

However, of Lauren’s battle with the booze, Jacqueline – who’s been nominated for an award in the category of Best Newcomer at the forthcoming NTAs – said, “At first to Lauren drinking was a laugh…

“Then it became a way of forgetting — she has carried the burden of keeping her mum’s illness secret.

“It’s good EastEnders have done the storyline. It highlights that teenagers who people label irresponsible could be doing it to deal with worries they are keeping to themselves.

“What they actually need is help or someone to talk to.”

Jacqueline, who’s dating her co-star Tony Discipline, went on to discuss how much she enjoys working with Jake Wood and Jo Joyner.

She said, “I am like a sponge when I am with Jo and Jake. I work best with them because I have to work up to their level.”

Here’s a clip of Jacqueline on the set of the show…