EastEnders return ‘sealed’ for icon after 7 years as Max drops double clue
BBC EastEnders viewers are convinced a Walford legend could be making their way home after Max Branning’s return
EastEnders lothario Max Branning has barely set foot back in Walford, yet he’s already stirring speculation that one of his ex-wives could be making a dramatic return.
In Wednesday’s instalment of the BBC drama (December 17), Max (Jake Wood) kept vigil beside his son Oscar’s (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) hospital bed following the lad’s heroic dash into the blazing No. 25 to rescue Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan).
Max wasted little time attempting to mend fences with his offspring, Oscar and Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa). However, the conversation swiftly shifted to his granddaughter, Abi Junior, now going by AJ.
Looking rather awkwardly at Lauren, Max admitted, “I was going to bring AJ, but you know she is staying with Tanya just while I’m here.”
Later on, Max dodged a call from his former spouse Tanya (Jo Joyner), prompting a heated confrontation with Lauren as AJ’s living arrangements were questioned once more, reports OK!.
Max nonchalantly assured his daughter: “I’m back now, I’m going to be there for all of you”, before she sharply retorted: “Like you have been there for AJ?”.
Lauren continued: “I know she ain’t been living with you dad, because unlike you, I actually speak to mum. So you can drop all of this redemption arc stuff. “.
With Max confirming his reluctance to contact Tanya whilst remaining cagey about why AJ isn’t in his custody, EastEnders viewers are convinced that Tanya will soon arrive in Walford hunting for Max.
Tanya made her dramatic entrance into Albert Square in 2006, alongside her family members Max, Lauren, and Abi (played by Lorna Fitzgerald).
The Branning family quickly became fan favourites, finding themselves at the heart of some of EastEnders’ most unforgettable storylines, such as Max’s scandalous affair with Stacey (Lacey Turner), which culminated in a shocking Christmas Day revelation.
Despite Tanya’s absence from EastEnders since 2018, fans are still eager to know when she might make a return.
One viewer took to social media, confidently stating: “TANYA DEFFO RETURNING, I CAN FEEL IT #EastEnders.”
Another queried: “So, they’re bringing Tanya back? #EastEnders”, while a third added their voice to the chorus: “Desperately need a Tanya return #eastenders.”
One fan expressed their wish for the show’s producers to do whatever it takes to bring Jo Joyner back to Albert Square. They wrote: “Need Ben Wadey to do whatever is necessary to drag Jo Joyner back to Albert Square. The Brannings are back, and Tanya is the key player missing. Let her run Fox and Hair with Denise #EastEnders”.
Another speculated on possible plot twists that could herald Tanya’s return: “I think Tanya will reappear at some point. My guess is something must have happened for Max to share joint custody of his grandchild/for him to avoid Tanya’s calls. Or something has happened which is WHY Tanya is trying to contact Max . #Eastenders”.