EastEnders' Jake Wood reveals how long Max Branning will be away from Walford for
It's just not the same without him!
Author: Emma DoddsPublished 4th Dec 2018 Last updated 4th Dec 2018
Max Branning has cemented himself as one of the staple residents of Walford. Jake Wood, who has played the character on EastEnders on and off since 2006, is one of the most recognisable actors on the small screen, thanks to his role as the Square's resident bad-boy-turned-good.
Thanks to the popularity of Max, Jake has enjoyed being at the centre of some of the biggest storylines on the show in the last 12 years - but of course, such intense storylines can take their toll and leave actors absolutely shattered.
Speaking on Loose Women today, Jake revealed that he would be taking some time off from EastEnders following his recent heavy plot with ex-wife Tanya Branning's sister Rainie Cross, played by Tanya Franks - who Max is now married to.
When asked what "awful things" would be happening in Walford over Christmas, Jake said, "There’s no awful things in EastEnders. It’s a really good Christmas, there’s a lot happening. As we saw last year Max was featured very heavily, obviously it’s not focused on Max Branning so much this year which is good for me," adding that now is a good time to take a break.
Swipe through to see all the EastEnders spoilers you need to know for this week...
Alfie leaves the Slaters stunned with his arrival
Kat is shocked when her estranged husband reveals he's sorry for everything and has returned to the square to win her back.
EastEnders' Jake Wood reveals how long Max Branning will be away from Walford for
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Karen joins the choir
Finally, Karen decides to join choir practice when she realises they're taking part in a Christmas competition and the prize is money!
Alfie leaves the Slaters stunned with his arrival
Kat is shocked when her estranged husband reveals he's sorry for everything and has returned to the square to win her back.
However, Jean – who is well aware that Alfie is the father of Hayley's baby – tells him to stay away from the party so he doesn't see Hayley and their little one.
While Alfie is off to get the boys, Jean tries to put Kat off from seeing them – leaving everyone confused by her behaviour.
Alfie then tracks down Kat (who's locked herself in the bathroom) and after the pair have a heart-to-heart, she's reunited with her boys.
Alfie is desperate to find out what happened with Hayley's abortion but he's distracted when Kat insists they talk about his return to the square.
Aww.
While Hayley's party is going on, Alfie invites various residents to join the party in hope that he can create a distraction. With the Slater house jam-packed, Alfie sneaks in and tells Karen Taylor about his new funeral planning business.
Alfie discovers he has another child
Things then take an awkward turn when Hayley arrives and reveals she's the baby's mother – leaving Alfie stunned.
Later, poor Jean has been trying to keep Alfie and Hayley apart from each other but an oblivious Alfie ends up holding his own baby without even knowing it.
Thinking fast, he drops Stacey in it and reveals she's actually the person who called him. While Kat confronts Stacey, Alfie tracks Hayley down.
Alfie opens up to Hayley and reveals he's returned for his wife but it's not long before Kat interrupts their conversation - forcing them to make up a lie.
While Alfie tries to comprehend Hayley's bombshell, Hayley is left fuming at his arrival and demands to Jean that they end her birthday party immediately.
He plans an event for his new business venture – Blue Moon Funerals and even manages to convince Hayley to get involved.
Towards the end of the week Alfie convinces Ian to let him borrow his TV for his latest scheme.
While his event gets going, Alfie turns the charm on and after impressing Kat he makes a touching gesture…
It's not long before she realises how much their baby means to him.
However Jean is furious to see Alfie charming Hayley into helping him but she tries her best to stay out of their business.
Hayley threatens to reveal ALL
Despite not wanting to be with Hayley, Alfie begs her to let him be a part of their child's life but she refuses and threatens to tell Kat the truth.
Eek!
Later on, Kat realises Hayley is upset and does her best to comfort her.
Jean gives Alfie an ultimatum
After Jean and Alfie notice how gutted Hayley is, he tries to apologise but fed up with him Jean gives him an ultimate – tell Kat the truth or she will.
What will Alfie do?
When he realises he's efforts have gone unnoticed, Ian tries to get revenge on Ray – but will his plan work out?
Mel gets annoyed with Ray
Meanwhile, Mel gets annoyed when Ray is late for their date.
When Masood notices, he informs Ian who's eager to run over and keep her company.
Mel tracks down Ray
After she tracks him down to a pub, she waits outside desperate to know what he's up to.
Ian ropes Louise into helping him and they persuade Keegan into babysitting Alfie's kids.
Unfortunately by the time Ian has ran over to Walford East, Ray has arrived.
Elsewhere, Mel left irritated once again when Ray ditches her for work.
Mel meets up with Maddie again
So instead she agrees to meet up with Maddie at the E20 and manipulates her into revealing where Ray could be.
At first Mel is hesitant and after refusing to believe her she drops a bombshell.
Later on in the week, Mel begins to panic when Maddie turns up at her house and reveals she's had enough – she's going to confront Ray. As Mel tries to change her mind and warn her how dangerous Ray is, they agree to meet up later but they're both unaware that someone is watching them…
As Mel tries to convince Maddie to keep quiet, the person who was watching them earlier turns up and confronts them.
As Mel continues to quiz her fiancé she sneakily takes him warrant card and meets up with Maddie who reveals the truth about Ray and who she really is. Eek!
Towards the end of the week, Ian opens up to Jean about his daughter Lucy.
Keegan and Louise are caught
Elsewhere in the square after Alfie picks up his children, Keegan and Louise are left home alone and as things heat up between them they're left stunned when Ian arrives home earlier.
Oh boy…
Evie puts pressure on Tiffany
Over to Tiffany and she's shocked when Evie arrives at Hayley's party. Later, the newbie causes drama when she buys Tiffany alcohol and winds Keegan up. Luckily Stuart is there and kicks her out.
Following all this drama, Evie invites Tiffany to The Vic and insists she brings Bernadette – what is she up to?
Later when Evie pressures Tiffany to give Keegan drugs, she's keen to impress her new friend and manages to do it, unfortunately Bernadette catches her.
Billy meddles in Honey and Adam's relationship
Also, Billy is caught up trying to meddling in Honey and Adam's relationship but when she catches on to his attempts, she goes on her date with the dentist.
Despite failing at ruining Honey and Adam's date, Billy has a chat with Alfie and gets an idea on how to get revenge on Adam.
Max leaves Rainie embarrassed
Max is left feeling concerned when he realises Rainie took baby Abi to Hayley's birthday party. When he arrives, he insists they go home – leaving Rainie embarrassed.
Karen joins the choir
Finally, Karen decides to join choir practice when she realises they're taking part in a Christmas competition and the prize is money!
Alfie leaves the Slaters stunned with his arrival
Kat is shocked when her estranged husband reveals he's sorry for everything and has returned to the square to win her back.
However, Jean – who is well aware that Alfie is the father of Hayley's baby – tells him to stay away from the party so he doesn't see Hayley and their little one.
While Alfie is off to get the boys, Jean tries to put Kat off from seeing them – leaving everyone confused by her behaviour.
Alfie then tracks down Kat (who's locked herself in the bathroom) and after the pair have a heart-to-heart, she's reunited with her boys.
Alfie is desperate to find out what happened with Hayley's abortion but he's distracted when Kat insists they talk about his return to the square.
Aww.
While Hayley's party is going on, Alfie invites various residents to join the party in hope that he can create a distraction. With the Slater house jam-packed, Alfie sneaks in and tells Karen Taylor about his new funeral planning business.
Alfie discovers he has another child
Things then take an awkward turn when Hayley arrives and reveals she's the baby's mother – leaving Alfie stunned.
Later, poor Jean has been trying to keep Alfie and Hayley apart from each other but an oblivious Alfie ends up holding his own baby without even knowing it.
Thinking fast, he drops Stacey in it and reveals she's actually the person who called him. While Kat confronts Stacey, Alfie tracks Hayley down.
Alfie opens up to Hayley and reveals he's returned for his wife but it's not long before Kat interrupts their conversation - forcing them to make up a lie.
While Alfie tries to comprehend Hayley's bombshell, Hayley is left fuming at his arrival and demands to Jean that they end her birthday party immediately.
He plans an event for his new business venture – Blue Moon Funerals and even manages to convince Hayley to get involved.
Towards the end of the week Alfie convinces Ian to let him borrow his TV for his latest scheme.
While his event gets going, Alfie turns the charm on and after impressing Kat he makes a touching gesture…
It's not long before she realises how much their baby means to him.
However Jean is furious to see Alfie charming Hayley into helping him but she tries her best to stay out of their business.
Hayley threatens to reveal ALL
Despite not wanting to be with Hayley, Alfie begs her to let him be a part of their child's life but she refuses and threatens to tell Kat the truth.
Eek!
Later on, Kat realises Hayley is upset and does her best to comfort her.
Jean gives Alfie an ultimatum
After Jean and Alfie notice how gutted Hayley is, he tries to apologise but fed up with him Jean gives him an ultimate – tell Kat the truth or she will.
What will Alfie do?
When he realises he's efforts have gone unnoticed, Ian tries to get revenge on Ray – but will his plan work out?
Mel gets annoyed with Ray
Meanwhile, Mel gets annoyed when Ray is late for their date.
When Masood notices, he informs Ian who's eager to run over and keep her company.
Mel tracks down Ray
After she tracks him down to a pub, she waits outside desperate to know what he's up to.
Ian ropes Louise into helping him and they persuade Keegan into babysitting Alfie's kids.
Unfortunately by the time Ian has ran over to Walford East, Ray has arrived.
Elsewhere, Mel left irritated once again when Ray ditches her for work.
Mel meets up with Maddie again
So instead she agrees to meet up with Maddie at the E20 and manipulates her into revealing where Ray could be.
At first Mel is hesitant and after refusing to believe her she drops a bombshell.
Later on in the week, Mel begins to panic when Maddie turns up at her house and reveals she's had enough – she's going to confront Ray. As Mel tries to change her mind and warn her how dangerous Ray is, they agree to meet up later but they're both unaware that someone is watching them…
As Mel tries to convince Maddie to keep quiet, the person who was watching them earlier turns up and confronts them.
As Mel continues to quiz her fiancé she sneakily takes him warrant card and meets up with Maddie who reveals the truth about Ray and who she really is. Eek!
Towards the end of the week, Ian opens up to Jean about his daughter Lucy.
Keegan and Louise are caught
Elsewhere in the square after Alfie picks up his children, Keegan and Louise are left home alone and as things heat up between them they're left stunned when Ian arrives home earlier.
Oh boy…
Evie puts pressure on Tiffany
Over to Tiffany and she's shocked when Evie arrives at Hayley's party. Later, the newbie causes drama when she buys Tiffany alcohol and winds Keegan up. Luckily Stuart is there and kicks her out.
Following all this drama, Evie invites Tiffany to The Vic and insists she brings Bernadette – what is she up to?
Later when Evie pressures Tiffany to give Keegan drugs, she's keen to impress her new friend and manages to do it, unfortunately Bernadette catches her.
Billy meddles in Honey and Adam's relationship
Also, Billy is caught up trying to meddling in Honey and Adam's relationship but when she catches on to his attempts, she goes on her date with the dentist.
Despite failing at ruining Honey and Adam's date, Billy has a chat with Alfie and gets an idea on how to get revenge on Adam.
Max leaves Rainie embarrassed
Max is left feeling concerned when he realises Rainie took baby Abi to Hayley's birthday party. When he arrives, he insists they go home – leaving Rainie embarrassed.
Karen joins the choir
Finally, Karen decides to join choir practice when she realises they're taking part in a Christmas competition and the prize is money!
He continued, "I’m taking a few months off EastEnders. I had my last day Friday and I’m taking three months off. I’m going back in March. I’ve been there 12 years so my approach was always – two years ago I had a year off.
"I love being there, I love the job but it is very demanding. It’s long hours and I’ve got a family, two kids at home, and a beautiful wife I probably don’t see enough of."
Max has been embroiled in a huge storyline after the death of his daughter Abi, who was pregnant at the time with Steven Beale's baby. After the baby was delivered, Max named her Abi after her mum - but he and Rainie have been going up against baby Abi's great-grandmother, Cora Cross, for custody.
EastEnders airs on Mondays and Fridays at 8pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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