Max Branning returns to EastEnders tonight with a major bombshell for Rainie
Uh oh...
Author: Emma DoddsPublished 7th May 2019 Last updated 7th May 2019
EastEnders fans, rejoice! For Max Branning, arguably one of the most beloved characters on the show, is returning tonight (7th May) following a three-month absence. 'Enders viewers last saw the car dealer, played by Jake Wood, in Walford on Valentine's Day, when he scarpered alongside his brother Jack after he dobbed in Mel Owen's son Hunter to police.
However, it turned out that Max failed to mention his impending departure to his actual wife, Rainie Branning (née Cross, AKA the sister of Tanya AKA Max's ex-wife - it's all very messy). They may have originally got hitched to secure custody of Max's dead daughter Abi's daughter Abi (named after her), but real feelings developed.
Let's not forget that Max told Jack that his relationship with Rainie was "codswallop" so that they could get custody of baby Abi, and when Rainie realised things weren't progressing as well as she thought, she sought solace with Jack - and they slept together.
What a messy old situation - considering Jack also had a brief relationship with Tanya! It gets worse and worse.
Swipe through to see all the EastEnders spoilers you need to know for next week...
The week begins with Karen Taylor checking in on Dinah who is terminally ill. Later when Mitch Baker notices how upset Karen is, he blames her emotions on the rift with their daughter Chantelle Atkins.
Max Branning returns to EastEnders tonight with a major bombshell for Rainie
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Also, Callum receives a letter from the army and later tells Whitney that his medical assessment is due. Will he return to the army?
The week begins with Karen Taylor checking in on Dinah who is terminally ill. Later when Mitch Baker notices how upset Karen is, he blames her emotions on the rift with their daughter Chantelle Atkins.
He decides to take things into his own hand and asks Chantelle to make things right with her mum. While they're out for lunch, Chantelle and Karen manage to put the past behind them but soon after the latter receives a worrying text from Dinah.
When Karen arrives at Dinah's new home she discovers she's fallen again. After the nurse arrives, Karen asks whether he can help with Dinah's ongoing depression.
Following her struggling with mental health and battling pneumonia, the Dr suggests Dinah have an appointment with a mental health nurse.
During a conversation with the nurse – who mentions another patient, Darren, who has been in a similar situation to Dinah – it gives Karen a brilliant idea.
The next day, Karen calls Darren and asks where he'd be able to speak to Dinah however she's left concerned when she spots her writing future birthday cards for Bailey.
Karen is left relieved when Darren agrees to meet Dinah and she's further pleased when she sees her pal in good spirits. She agrees to look after Bailey for the night, unaware that Dinah is making her final plans.
As Dinah spends some quality time with Bailey her guilt begins to kick in, especially when Karen and Chantelle arrive to take the little on to the park.
Mitch struggle to get out of work but when he eventually does, he heads over to Dinah's house to check on her. He's left distraught when he discovers she's taken her own life.
It's not long before Mick Carter spots a traumatised Mitch and Karen rushes over to Mitch when she spots an ambulance. Karen's worst fears are soon confirmed when it dawns on her that Dinah went through with her plan.
Karen and Mitch are distressed following Dinah's tragic death and are further shaken when the police discover her note.
After Karen's children arrive and realise what has happened, Keegan desperately seeks out his little sister. At the flat, Keegan tries his absolute best to be there for Bailey and takes her upstairs to the Taylor's flat.
Over to the Mitchell household and Phil apologises to his daughter for interfering in her private life. Bex Fowler is stunned to find Keanu waiting for her at home and she soon realises he's there to question her about Louise.
When Keanu picks up her pills, she begins to panic – what will she do? How will she explain herself out of this one?
Later on Keanu confronts Louise and it's not long before things take a tense turn and she shares some harsh words with him.
He then deals with their argument by drowning his sorrows in The Vic, meanwhile Linda Carter asks Sharon if she can help out in the pub.
Keanu has had enough of his recent troubles and ends up storming off to the car, when Sharon spots how upset he is she tries her best to support him…
Jay Brown worries about the car lot – after taking it back from Max Branning. Ben reassures him that everything will work out but when Billy Mitchell overhears their conversation he's quick to warn Jay not to get involved in any dodgy dealings.
Keanu and Sharon reel for their actions and are then interrupted by Ben. When Ben questions what's going on between the pair, Sharon is quick to shut him down by dismissing Keanu.
Ben reaches out to Keanu and offers him some work. Later when Ben's contact arrives on the Square looking for him, Keanu pretends he's Phil's son and takes logbooks for the dodgy cars...
The next day Ben asks if anyone has stopped by with a delivery but Keanu pretends he has no idea what's he's talking about. Later, when Ben sees him contact on the Square – he realises Keanu has played him. What will he do?
Over to Kathy Beale and she's left intrigued when she's told that the necklace Ben gave her looks like the real deal… She then receives some life changing news.
Elsewhere, Mel asks Jack to look over an investment opportunity but he shuts it down. She then spots Amy shoplifting and when she catches up with her she sees that she's taken sanitary products and offers to help her out.
As Mel and Amy begin to bond, Jack is left furious and orders his ex-girlfriend to stay away. Later she decides to ignore Jack's warning and take Amy shopping. When Jack sees how happy hiss daughter is, he decides to look over Mel's investment opportunity as a way to say thank you.
Max Branning tries his best to manage Iqra and Habiba Ahmed however things take a turn for the worse when Rainie Branning slams him for not doing enough. He then confesses that things need to change because them working together isn't going to plan.
Mick tries to help one of Linda's friends out and play matchmaker but it results in Denise Fox and Jack Branning being pushed together.
Jack is eager to meet up with Denise but is left feeling helpless whether Max and Rainie are unable to babysit Amy. She decides to call Mel who is all too happy to help.
Mel is left surprised when she discovers Jack is going on a date with Denise and then Max starts winding her up about it.
Over to the Slater household and Kat revels in teasing Kush – alongside Martin and Stacey Fowler – about his love life.
Kush is later worried when he spots that Bex Fowler has over exerted herself while running, however she insists she's fine.
Stacey decides to help Kat out with her love life and sets her up with Martin's supplier, Marc. Kush is left unimpressed but has to keep it a secret.
At The Vic Kat ends up joining Stacey and Martin for a double date however when Kush arrives she decides to take things into her own hands and make him jealous.
Kat's plan works and when she reminds Martin of his anniversary with Stacey, she leaves Marc behind and rushes over to Kush.
Kat and Kush continue secretly seeing each other and decide not to tell anyone about it. Things get difficult when they plan to go over to Kush's house but Bex is there studying.
Kat decides to take him to the Slaters house instead – as no one is home – but as one thing leads to another Martin and Stacey return for their anniversary dinner. Is Kat and Kush's secret about to be revealed?
Also, Callum receives a letter from the army and later tells Whitney that his medical assessment is due. Will he return to the army?
The week begins with Karen Taylor checking in on Dinah who is terminally ill. Later when Mitch Baker notices how upset Karen is, he blames her emotions on the rift with their daughter Chantelle Atkins.
He decides to take things into his own hand and asks Chantelle to make things right with her mum. While they're out for lunch, Chantelle and Karen manage to put the past behind them but soon after the latter receives a worrying text from Dinah.
When Karen arrives at Dinah's new home she discovers she's fallen again. After the nurse arrives, Karen asks whether he can help with Dinah's ongoing depression.
Following her struggling with mental health and battling pneumonia, the Dr suggests Dinah have an appointment with a mental health nurse.
During a conversation with the nurse – who mentions another patient, Darren, who has been in a similar situation to Dinah – it gives Karen a brilliant idea.
The next day, Karen calls Darren and asks where he'd be able to speak to Dinah however she's left concerned when she spots her writing future birthday cards for Bailey.
Karen is left relieved when Darren agrees to meet Dinah and she's further pleased when she sees her pal in good spirits. She agrees to look after Bailey for the night, unaware that Dinah is making her final plans.
As Dinah spends some quality time with Bailey her guilt begins to kick in, especially when Karen and Chantelle arrive to take the little on to the park.
Mitch struggle to get out of work but when he eventually does, he heads over to Dinah's house to check on her. He's left distraught when he discovers she's taken her own life.
It's not long before Mick Carter spots a traumatised Mitch and Karen rushes over to Mitch when she spots an ambulance. Karen's worst fears are soon confirmed when it dawns on her that Dinah went through with her plan.
Karen and Mitch are distressed following Dinah's tragic death and are further shaken when the police discover her note.
After Karen's children arrive and realise what has happened, Keegan desperately seeks out his little sister. At the flat, Keegan tries his absolute best to be there for Bailey and takes her upstairs to the Taylor's flat.
Over to the Mitchell household and Phil apologises to his daughter for interfering in her private life. Bex Fowler is stunned to find Keanu waiting for her at home and she soon realises he's there to question her about Louise.
When Keanu picks up her pills, she begins to panic – what will she do? How will she explain herself out of this one?
Later on Keanu confronts Louise and it's not long before things take a tense turn and she shares some harsh words with him.
He then deals with their argument by drowning his sorrows in The Vic, meanwhile Linda Carter asks Sharon if she can help out in the pub.
Keanu has had enough of his recent troubles and ends up storming off to the car, when Sharon spots how upset he is she tries her best to support him…
Jay Brown worries about the car lot – after taking it back from Max Branning. Ben reassures him that everything will work out but when Billy Mitchell overhears their conversation he's quick to warn Jay not to get involved in any dodgy dealings.
Keanu and Sharon reel for their actions and are then interrupted by Ben. When Ben questions what's going on between the pair, Sharon is quick to shut him down by dismissing Keanu.
Ben reaches out to Keanu and offers him some work. Later when Ben's contact arrives on the Square looking for him, Keanu pretends he's Phil's son and takes logbooks for the dodgy cars...
The next day Ben asks if anyone has stopped by with a delivery but Keanu pretends he has no idea what's he's talking about. Later, when Ben sees him contact on the Square – he realises Keanu has played him. What will he do?
Over to Kathy Beale and she's left intrigued when she's told that the necklace Ben gave her looks like the real deal… She then receives some life changing news.
Elsewhere, Mel asks Jack to look over an investment opportunity but he shuts it down. She then spots Amy shoplifting and when she catches up with her she sees that she's taken sanitary products and offers to help her out.
As Mel and Amy begin to bond, Jack is left furious and orders his ex-girlfriend to stay away. Later she decides to ignore Jack's warning and take Amy shopping. When Jack sees how happy hiss daughter is, he decides to look over Mel's investment opportunity as a way to say thank you.
Max Branning tries his best to manage Iqra and Habiba Ahmed however things take a turn for the worse when Rainie Branning slams him for not doing enough. He then confesses that things need to change because them working together isn't going to plan.
Mick tries to help one of Linda's friends out and play matchmaker but it results in Denise Fox and Jack Branning being pushed together.
Jack is eager to meet up with Denise but is left feeling helpless whether Max and Rainie are unable to babysit Amy. She decides to call Mel who is all too happy to help.
Mel is left surprised when she discovers Jack is going on a date with Denise and then Max starts winding her up about it.
Over to the Slater household and Kat revels in teasing Kush – alongside Martin and Stacey Fowler – about his love life.
Kush is later worried when he spots that Bex Fowler has over exerted herself while running, however she insists she's fine.
Stacey decides to help Kat out with her love life and sets her up with Martin's supplier, Marc. Kush is left unimpressed but has to keep it a secret.
At The Vic Kat ends up joining Stacey and Martin for a double date however when Kush arrives she decides to take things into her own hands and make him jealous.
Kat's plan works and when she reminds Martin of his anniversary with Stacey, she leaves Marc behind and rushes over to Kush.
Kat and Kush continue secretly seeing each other and decide not to tell anyone about it. Things get difficult when they plan to go over to Kush's house but Bex is there studying.
Kat decides to take him to the Slaters house instead – as no one is home – but as one thing leads to another Martin and Stacey return for their anniversary dinner. Is Kat and Kush's secret about to be revealed?
Also, Callum receives a letter from the army and later tells Whitney that his medical assessment is due. Will he return to the army?
But anyway, with all that in mind, Jack will be returning tonight, and he's got his own shocking news to deliver to Rainie - he actually wants to try and make their marriage work and for them to try and have a relationship together.
Rainie's a smart cookie, however - her mother is Cora Cross, after all - and she can smell a rat. But when she calms down and has time to think about his proposal, will she take him on?
EastEnders airs on Mondays and Fridays at 8pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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