Lauren first met her younger sister last year, though it hasn’t been made clear if she ever told Max that he fathered another child.
In scenes that air this week, her newborn son Jimmy will be diagnosed with a visual impairment, with Linda comforting her through the difficult news.
Is this what will bring Max home?
‘Jake’s return is huge news for EastEnders fans as his character made a massive mark on the show,’ a source told The Sun.
‘It’ll raise some eyebrows after he was absent from the 40th anniversary earlier this year. Bosses are excited about what his character’s reappearance means for spicing up the plots.
‘There is plenty to go at. Max has loads of unfinished business in the Square and is set to ruffle some feathers.’
His scandalous relationship with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) was also referenced recently.
Back in 2007, almost 15 million of us tuned in to see their affair exposed on Christmas Day in front of the entire Branning and Slater families. One of their dalliances – on Stacey’s wedding day to Max’s son Bradley (Charlie Clements), no less – had been recorded by Lauren (then Madeline Duggan).
Despite the obvious history, viewers are convinced that he’s probably eyeing up another resident.
Cindy flippin’ Beale (Michelle Collins)!
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Even if a romance doesn’t happen, they’ll certainly share scenes as Max was responsible for the death of her eldest son Steven (Aaron Sidwell).
At one point he was also chief suspect in the murder investigation of Cindy’s daughter Lucy (Hetti Bywater).
‘Before Max and Cindy predictably get together. Some things need to be re-addressed. He was sleeping with Lucy and ultimately was the reason Steven died’ said one fan.
‘Max Branning coming back to #EastEnders 50 quid bet that he ends up in Cindy’s bed before the end of the year!’ added another.
A third demanded: ‘Max Branning finally on his way back to Albert Square is the news I needed. I need the Max and Cindy partnership ASAP.’
Shameful Cindy doesn’t care who she upsets, and sleeping with the man who tore her family apart is definitely something she’d consider!
