During Wednesday’s trip to Walford (August 28), chaos continued in Albert

Square following the crush at Peggy’s which left Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) in a

critical condition after she suffered a cardiac arrest and Lauren Branning

(Jacqueline Joss) also with severe injuries. Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) provided a safe space at the café for victims and emergency services and Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) also lent a hand. But the conversation between the two women soon turned to Keanu Taylor’s murder trial which kicks off next week. “Sharon has been with Phil”, Bernie explained: “Yeah she has been around bad things, bad people. Maybe she tried to kill Ian because of Denny dying.” She added: “Maybe she tried to kill Keanu because of the kidnapping, come on Kathy. You can’t tell me that a part of you don’t think it’s true.” Kathy snapped back: “Listen, Max started that rumour. He’s a liar, and so is Dean. Look Sharon is a lot of things but she wouldn’t do that.”

Max Branning waved goodbye to Walford in 2021 (Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes) Jake Wood’s character was written out of EastEnders in 2021 after 15 years in the soap. Max first moved to Walford to look for his son in 2006 but ultimately left the Square after realising there was nothing left for him and relocated abroad. Max had a short relationship with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) which ended when she broke up with him sparking his departure. The former couple share a daughter Annie Carter, who is also the younger half-sister to Lauren.

Following Kathy’s words about Max and Lauren being in the hospital, some EastEnders viewers think love rat Max is returning to Walford.. Taking to X, one person wrote: “A Max mention – could he back? #Eastenders @bbceastenders.” Linda had an affair with Max Branning which resulted in her secretly falling pregnant (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes) A second stated: “#eastenders theory… so many threads cud pull Max back next week… imagine he rocks up with his new wife or something & its Chrissie! I would be so excited!!!” A third exclaimed: “I’m fully convinced there will be a Max Branning return for the 40th. I just have a feeling #EastEnders.”