Jo Joyner to take a break from EastEnders in 2013

Jo Joyner has become the latest EastEnders actress to announce she is taking a break from the BBC One soap.

The actress will take time out from her role as Tanya Branning next year to spend more time with her family. Jo has been married to Neil Madden since 2007 and the couple are parents to two-year-old twins.

The Daily Star reports that Joyner has told friends her recent storylines have been ‘full on’ and that ‘The rest of this year is going to be even more dramatic, because the Brannings have got some amazing stuff coming up.’

“She will be taking a break from filming in 2013 but will definitely return.” – EastEnders insider

The news comes just a day after it was revealed that June Brown, who plays Dot Branning, will be taking a six month break from the soap to write her memoirs.  .

Charlie Brooks, Lindsay Coulson and Patsy Palmer are also taking breaks from the saga with all three expected to return by the end of the year. Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Moon, recently returned to the set following a break.