April Branning made her first appearance 28 December 1995. She is portrayed by Debbie Arnold. April is the daughter of Jim and Reenie Branning and the sister of Carol, Suzy, Derek, Max and Jack Branning. She is also the wife of Nikos.
Storylines[]
April arrives in Albert Square in December 1995 to invite Carol Branning and her boyfriend Alan Jackson 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 refuses the invitation as she knows that her black boyfriend will not be well received by her racist father, Jim Branning. However, Alan decides that he wants to go so April enlists her niece Sonia Jackson as her bridesmaid.
The ceremony is due to take place in April 1996 but, just at the last minute, the groom's best man turns up with the news that Nikos has fled back to Greece, leaving April distraught and humiliated. The day isn't a complete waste though as Alan and Carol get married in their place.
April returns to Walford in July to visit her sister and, after meeting the market inspector Michael Rose (who she is attracted to), she decides to stay. She gets herself a job working in Kathy Beale's café, where she is witness to her brother-in-law's flirtations with the vindictive Frankie Pierre. When it becomes obvious that Frankie is involved with Alan, April informs Carol, which eventually leads to the end of Alan and Carol's relationship.
April and Michael's relationship continues over the next few months and eventually Michael falls in love and begs April to move in with him. April is unsure whether she wants to take such a big step and, while she is considering what to do, Nikos shows up and tries to worm his way back into her affections. He demands to marry her and despite the fact that he had previously jilted her at the altar, April decides to give him another chance. She leaves Walford in October 1996 with him and manages to get him down the aisle.
Eleven years later it is revealed that April is still living in Greece and is unable to attend her nephew Bradley Branning's wedding to Stacey Slater.
She was mentioned 20 April 2015 by Carol when Max Branning asks why she had brought so much food and wine for Jim's funeral - Carol replied, "if April turns up with her lot".