April Branning

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EastEnders character
April Jackson
Portrayed by	Debbie Arnold
Duration	1995–1996
Date of birth	1961
Marital status	Married
Occupation	Timeshare seller/Café worker
Family	Nikos, Jim, Carol, Sue, Derek, Max

April Branning was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. She was played by Debbie Arnold, mother of Hollyoaks actress Ciara Janson. April is the sister of Carol Jackson and daughter of Jim Branning.

[edit] History

April arrived in Albert Square in December 1995 to invite Carol and her boyfriend Alan to her wedding. April had been living and working in Greece for eight years selling time-share apartments, where she met and got engaged to a native named Nikos. Carol initially refused the invitation as she knew that her black boyfriend would not be well received by her racist father, Jim Branning. However, Alan decided that he wanted to go so April enlisted her niece Sonia as bridesmaid.

The ceremony was due to take place in April 1996 but just at the last minute the groom's best man turned up with the news that Nikos had fled back to Greece, leaving April distraught and humiliated. The day wasn't a complete waste though as Alan and Carol got married in their place.

April returned to Walford in July that year to visit her sister, and after meeting the market inspector Michael Rose (who she was extremely attracted to) she decided to stay. She got herself a job working in Kathy Beale's café, where she was witness to her brother-in-law's flirtations with the vindictive Frankie Pierre. When it became obvious that Frankie was involved with Alan, April informed Carol, which eventually led to the end of Alan and Carol's relationship.

April and Michael's relationship continued over the next few months and eventually Michael fell in love and begged April to move in with him. April was unsure whether she wanted to take such a big step, and while she was considering what to do, her ex, Nikos, showed up and tried to worm his way back into her affections. He demanded to marry her and despite the fact that he had previously jilted her at the altar, April decided to give him another chance. She left Walford with him and managed to get him down the aisle, leaving Michael to marshall his stalls and mull over what might have been.

April's last appearance was in October 1996.