Jake Wood breaks silence on leaving EastEnders after 15 years
He's told fans to 'watch this space'
Soap fans were left gutted last week when news broke that actor Jake Wood had quit his role as Max Branning on BBC soap EastEnders, following an amazing 15 years!
Jake, who first joined the cast back in 2006, has now taken to his social media pages for the first time since the news broke, telling his fans to 'watch this space'.
Sharing a topless selfie looking extremely ripped, Jake told his fans, 'After 15 years I will be leaving Eastenders at the end of this year. I have loved playing Max Branning who amongst other things in that time has had 4 marriages, 10 affairs, 4 children (2 dying from falling from the roof of The Queen Vic), been buried alive, watched unwanted DVDs at Xmas and perhaps most traumatising of all...shared a hot tub with Ian Beale.
'I have made some truly great friends whilst on the show and I’ll miss everyone there. I’m grateful they have left the door open for Max and I’m excited to see what new horizons are around the corner. Thank you to everyone who has sent me messages this week, I appreciate the love and support 👍🏼❤️'. (sic)
Speaking of Jake's exit last week, EastEnders' executive producer, Jon Sen, added, "Jake is a truly wonderful actor and EastEnders have been extremely lucky to have him for so long.
"We have a big storyline for Max that starts in the coming weeks and we are all very excited to see that play out."
Check out all of these original cast photos from your favourite soap stars:
Sharon Watts, Eastenders
Teenage Sharon first moved to Albert Square with her adoptive parents, Den and Angie Watts. She couldn't be more '80s in this photo if she tried.
Sharon Mitchell, Eastenders
Now a Mitchell, Sharon's hair is almost as big as the drama that surrounds her in the square. We're sad to see that she's shunned the pink in favour of all-black outfits these days.
Dot Cotton, Eastenders
Chain smoking, gossiping Dot Cotton first graced our screens when she started working at the square's launderette in 1985.
Dot Cotton, Eastenders
Today, Dot Cotton is a national treasure! Loyal to her hair rollers and lipstick until the end, her iconic soap-land look is still going strong.
Ian Beale, Eastenders
Ian has rocked some retro looks over the last few decades (remember that moustache?!) but here he is as a teenager in 1985 who had great ambitions of being a caterer.
Ian Beale, Eastenders
He's had a tough old life, what with wife Jane covering up for son Bobby who murdered daughter Lucy. No wonder he has a constant look of despair on his face.
The Mitchell brothers, Eastenders
Ahh, the angsty, brooding and balding brothers first hit our screens in 1990 wearing their mechanics overalls.
The Mitchell brothers, Eastenders
They may have even fewer hairs on their heads, but the Mitchell brothers are just as moody as ever.
Sonia Jackson, Eastenders
Little trumpet playing, schoolgirl Sonya was part of the Jackson clan who joined the Square in 1993.
Sonia Fowler, Eastenders
Sonia is back and all grown up! Unfortunately, she's left her trumpeting days behind her.
Jay Brown, Eastenders
A tiny, troubled Jay Brown arrived in the square during 2006. Jay found a mentor in Billy Mitchell and Phil Mitchel who took him in after the murder of his father Jase.
Jay Mitchell, Eastenders
Reformed Jay now considers himself a Mitchell and has the tough exterior to go with the name.
Whitney Dean, Eastenders
Whitney Dean rocked up to the square with her scraped back black hair and blinging earrings when step mum Bianca Jackson returned in 2008.
Whitney Dean, Eastenders
Sophisticated but always sassy, Whitney is still partial to the odd pair of gold earrings.
Kevin Webster, Coronation Street
Kevin became the street's resident mechanic in 1983 and was the proud owner of one bushy 'tache!
Kevin Webster, Coronation Street
Alas, our favourite moustache is no more. But Kev is rocking a silver fox beard instead.
Dev Alahan, Coronation Street
Corner shop charmer Dev has wooed half the street's female residents since joining the soap in 1999.
Dev Alahan, Coronation Street
Like the finest wine sold in his shop - this ladies' man seems to get better with age!
Toyah and Leanne Battersby, Coronation Street
Toyah and Leanne Battersby were pretty much the street's answer to the Spice Girls, with their teenage girl power and so-'90s-it-hurts style.
Toyah and Leanne Battersby, Coronation Street
Today the sisters are so refined and stylish that you'd never think they were the daughters of Les Battersby!
Chesney Brown, Coronation Street
Who could EVER forget lovely little Chesney's face from when he was a youngster? Brother of Fiz and son of Cilla, all we wanted to do is give the poor lad a big hug.
Chesney Brown, Coronation Street
Oh look at Chez all grown up! We still think he's got an adorable face and cannot believe that he is now a father to his own son, Joseph.
Fiz Brown, Coronation Street
It took a while for boisterous Fiz to show her big heart while under the care of foster parents Hayley and Roy Cropper. She was just a teen in need of some family love when we met her in 2001.
Fiz Brown, Coronation Street
We'd recognise that wild, red hair anywhere! Since giving birth to baby Hope, Fiz might have softened but she still likes to voice her opinion.
Ken Barlow, Coronation Street
Woah, Ken Barlow was SUAVE right?! Ken was in the first ever episode and he's been hopping over the cobbles and breaking hearts for over 50 years!
Ken Barlow, Coronation Street
Coronation Street just wouldn't be the same without this stalwart. He's probably been involved in more scandals than we've had hot dinners.
David Platt, Coronation Street
David's character was born on the show and we've watched him grow from butter-wouldn't-melt child, to problem teen, to reformed, loving father. Jack P Sheppard started playing David in 2000.
David Platt, Coronation Street
Today, David has grown up into a man with a beard and kids and everything - don't they just grow so fast?!
Paddy Kirk, Emmerdale
Cuddly Paddy Kirk arrived as the village's vet in 1997 and instantly fell for Mandy Dingle.
Paddy Kirk, Emmerdale
Fast forward 20 years and we're sad to see that Paddy has lost that seriously '90s curtains hairstyle. In fact, he doesn't have much hair at all!
Belle Dingle , Emmerdale
Little Belle Dingle was the confident farm kid played by twins while we watched her grow up in the Dingle household. Eden Taylor-Draper has been playing her since 2005.
Belle Dingle , Emmerdale
Now she's all grown up, Belle is very much a big character in the village.
Laurel Potts, Emmerdale
Laurel first caught our attention when she dressed as a bumble bee for Marlon and Tricia's engagement party. It's probably one of the most memorable entrances in soap history!
Laurel Thomas, Emmerdale
Laurel still has a quirky style but we can confirm that her bumble bee days are well and truly behind her.
Eric Pollard
Eric started out in the village as a bit of a villainous character back in the 80s.
Eric Pollard, Emmerdale
Still donning his famous white moustache, Eric came to be one half of the most hilarious soap couples to grace our screens with Val Lambert.
Bernice Blackstock, Emmerdale
Bernice was the red headed barmaid who arrived in the village during 1998 and fell in love with the local vicar, Ashley Thomas.
Bernice Blackstock, Emmerdale
Now mum to Gabby and Dee Dee, Bernice might be unlucky in love but she still has the fabulously bouncy red hair that we've always known her for.
Andy Sugden, Emmerdale
Andy had a particularly difficult start in the village when he was fostered by Jack and Sarah Sugden as a teen.
Andy Sugden, Emmerdale
Andy is now one of the villages (many!) countryside hunks.
Chas Dingle, Emmerdale
Chas Dingle first came to the village when she dressed as a nun for cousin Marlon's stag night. Her fierce attitude soon secured her job as a no-nonsense barmaid at The Woolpack.
Chas Dingle, Emmerdale
Blimey - Chas hasn't aged at all in the fifteen years she's been pulling pints! We want what she's using.
Zac Dingle, Emmerdale
Here's Zac Dingle from when he first brought the Dingle clan to Emmerdale in 1994.
Zac Dingle, Emmerdale
Is it just us or has he hardly changed at all? Even that hat looks must be the same one from they day he arrived in the Dales. The fresh country air must really work for the Dingles!
Tony Hutchinson, Hollyoaks
Tony has been in Hollyoaks since the first episode in 1995! Check out that floppy hair.
Tony Hutchinson, Hollyoaks
Tony has dated most of the village but it never seems to quite work out for him. But the place just wouldn't be the same without Tony, especially as he's the Oaks' resident chef.
Tom Cunningham, Hollyoaks
Melting hearts across the country, Tom Cunningham was perhaps the cutest little soap star EVER.
Tom Cunningham, Hollyoaks
For such a young lad, Tom has already has his fair share of grief and heartache (RIP Max and Steph). And can you believe our wee guy already has a baby with Peri Lomax?
Mandy Richardson and Luke Morgan, Hollyoaks
Both Mandy and Gary had very troubled pasts, which might be what brought the beautiful pair together all those years ago.
Mandy Richardson and Luke Morgan, Hollyoaks
They arrived back in the Oaks together last year, looking better than ever!
Nancy Hayton, Hollyoaks
Nancy was the gobby punk who came to live with her teacher sister, Becca.
Nancy Osborne, Hollyoaks
Nancy still enjoys experimenting with hair dye and make up, but we won't be seeing any more chunky highlights or green extensions (thank goodness!).
Ste Hay, Hollyoaks
Ste Hay was the high-school bad boy who got fellow student Amy Barnes pregnant when she was an underage teen.
Ste Hay, Hollyoaks
Still partial to the odd tracksuit, Ste is a total babe these days - although he definitely can't seem to shake off his habit of getting into trouble every week!
Although EastEnders bosses haven't officially confirmed when Jake will be departing from Albert Square, rumours are rife that his exit story line is going to be huge.
Jake first joined the cast back in June 2005, before taking breaks in both 2011 and 2015.