Penny’s secret sex shame exposed in EastEnders after birth drama

| Freelance soaps writer Published September 7, 2026 11:59pm Penny Branning is harbouring a major secret (Picture: BBC) Pregnant Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine) has been hiding a huge baby bombshell from her partner Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota), but it finally explodes after she gives birth in EastEnders next week. For months, Penny has let Vinny believe the child she is carrying is his, but a shocking revelation revealed that before she linked up with Vinny at New Year, she’d secretly slept with former flame Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway). His mum Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) later caught wind of this and forced Penny to have a DNA test, but she fudged the result to stop her from spilling the truth. At present, Penny’s cousins Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) are the only other people who know the full story – but that’s all about to change after Penny goes into labour during Vinny’s 30th birthday celebrations. As Vinny’s loved ones prepare to make it a day to remember, Lauren clocks that Penny is upset, and she reveals that she’s planning to tell Vinny he might not be the baby’s dad. No stranger to keeping secrets herself, Lauren tries to convince her otherwise, but Penny is adamant. Penny gives birth next week (Picture: BBC) Lauren Branning thinks it’s better to keep secrets (Picture: BBC) At the party, Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) upsets Penny before her waters break. Meanwhile, Vinny is oblivious to the drama unfolding, and it’s up to Harry and his girlfriend Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) to sober him up and get him to the hospital before the birth. After he arrives in the nick of time, he and Penny are overjoyed as their baby boy arrives. Once alone, Penny tells Lauren she’s decided not to drop the bombshell on Vinny, but little does she realise that someone else has overheard her conversation. Penny’s blackmailer arrives at the worst time (Picture: BBC) Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Later, the Brannings and Panesars come together for the Naam Karan celebrations for the new arrival, but Penny is horrified when the mystery listener arrives. They then confront Penny, but by revealing their cards, another secret is soon uncovered… Who is Penny’s blackmailer and what have they been hiding? Deals of the Day An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind Book Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Tignes for less in Club Med's ski sale Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale The viral LED face mask with over 350 lights that's currently discounted by £100 A friend said I looked 'snatched' – I credit this new Charlotte Tilbury powder EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 14th September at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer. Arrow MORE: Penny’s EastEnders horror as Harry is drawn in to her baby prep with Vinny Arrow MORE: Pregnant Penny rushed to hospital in EastEnders after nasty accident The Soaps Newsletter – Daily All the latest soaps spoilers and gossip, in your inbox every morning.