Jacqueline supports EastEnders binge-drinking plot

EastEnders' Jacqueline Jossa says teen binge-drinking should be taken more seriously.

The 19-year-old actress plays Lauren Barnning, who is coping with the stress of her mother Tanya's cervical cancer by drowning her sorrows in drink. Jacqueline told The Sun she hopes the storyline highlights the issue that teenage binge-drinkers could be suffering from serious alcohol problems.

She said: "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."

She added: "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."

Jacqueline is nominated for Best Newcomer at the National Television Awards, which last year was won by her co-star Ricky Norwood, who plays Fatboy.

She revealed: "I always want Lauren and Fatboy to get together. They would make such a cute couple."