Oscar Branning sat at the kitchen table in EastEnders

Oscar has received a menacing threat (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier) has received a deathly warning from his associate Fat Mike (Tai Hilferink) in EastEnders.

The newcomer made quite the impression on both viewers and characters when he arrived in Albert Square at the beginning of the week.

Oscar was looking for somewhere to live, having just been released from a three-month stretch in a young offenders institute for joyriding.

Sister Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) begrudgingly took him in, less than enthused by the fact that Oscar’s associates tried to petrol bomb their mum Tanya’s (Jo Joyner) house upon realising he’d tipped off the police about their actions.

It was far from an ideal situation, given that social workers were still involved with Lauren in the wake of her drug addiction while pregnant with son Louie.

After settling into his new abode, Oscar received a menacing text message from Mike, who was adamant to track him down. He grabbed a knife from the kitchen and closed the curtains, clearly terrified.

In the aftermath, Oscar has caused mayhem on the streets of Walford, trying to scam Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) in the chippy, flirting with Lauren’s fiancé Peter Beale (Thomas Law), and spending most of the day on the sofa gaming.

Lauren and Peter became insistent that he earn his keep, and told him to work a few hours each day on the Bridge Street fruit and veg stall.

Oscar, Peter and Priya standing by Martin’s fruit and veg stall in EastEnders

Peter was less than impressed by his market efforts – but he soon changed his ways when he learned of Jimmy’s visual impairment (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Less than enthused by the idea, Oscar headed to the pub and got drunk with cousin Penny (Kitty Castledine) instead. While there, she made a bargain – if he was sloshed before she was, he’d have to get to work.

And, of course, he lost the bet.

In tonight’s episode, he turned up for his first shift, blasting trance music and putting off the punters.

Peter was furious, but Penny and Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) were more than happy to encourage him.

Later, Lauren found her brother skiving at home, despite only being on a 10-minute break. He’d bought her kids some presents – Louie a lighter, and Jimmy a pair of sunglasses.

She initially thought he was making a twisted joke about Jimmy’s visual impairment, but then realised that Oscar had no idea.

He seemed genuinely moved when she explained his diagnosis, and returned to the market to step up to the task. Then, at the end of the day, he bought a sensory toy for the youngster using his wages.

As a heart-warmed Lauren and Peter believed they made a breakthrough, Oscar retired to his bedroom and spotted a number of menacing text messages from Mike.

‘Gonna find you. You are dead. You can’t hide.’

Will Oscar be ok?