EastEnders’ Cindy has a new lover – and he’s much younger

| Freelance soaps writer Published October 12, 2026 11:59pm Well, she’s full of surprises (Picture: BBC) If it’s one thing EastEnders fans have learned about Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) over the years, it’s that you can’t keep her down for long. Last month, she was left licking her wounds after her marriage to Walford lothario Max Branning (Jake Wood) abruptly ended upon her discovery that he’d been cheating with Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan-Levy), but she returns to the Square with a new lease of life next week. And it turns out that has a lot to do with a hunky new lover she’s met on her honeymoon. Cindy was last seen about to jet off to sunnier climes after deciding her and Max’s post-wedding getaway should not go to waste just because he couldn’t keep it in his trousers. It transpires that while there, she’s met a young man called Rafael, who has certainly put a smile on her face and a pep in her step again. He accompanies Cindy home next week, and it’s clear she’s loving showing off her new beau. Cindy quickly returns to her scheming ways (Picture: BBC) She insists she’s moved on from Max and is focused on the future, but her newfound confidence is soon dented when her card gets declined. And while Rafael has proved to be a handsome distraction, Cindy is soon back to her scheming ways as her feud with Max then reignites. She goes to visit Max, who eventually agrees to help her out financially, but her spidey senses start tingling when she spots a lipstick at his flat and deduces he has a new woman on the scene, which obviously we know to be Linda Carter (Kellie Bright). Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. As she starts digging to try and find out the identity of Max’s lover, she learns he is hoping to buy No. 31 from Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal). Not awkward at all (Picture: BBC) Following another row, Cindy later manages to get her hands on Max’s laptop and makes a shock discovery, which she then uses to sabotage his chances of buying No.31. A furious Max declares war, but this only works to spur Cindy on, who soon starts quizzing his son Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier). He accidentally says something that piques her suspicions, and when she also learns from Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) about the man who left Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) to die, Cindy becomes convinced Max is hiding something and makes it her mission to find out what. Will this lead to the reckoning Max is set to face on New Year’s Day? Deals of the Day Cold mornings are coming and this is the dressing gown I want to live in Most of us aren't getting enough fibre – this easy supplement could change that My honest review of the new UKLash Lash Lift Gel Kurt Geiger's new Notting Hill collection is a love letter to London's chaotic weather Dyson fans are swapping to this Hoover vacuum-mop that washes floors as it cleans EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 19th October at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer. Arrow MORE: A deal is struck with Cindy that allows scandal for Lauren in EastEnders Arrow MORE: Cindy takes revenge on Lauren in EastEnders after huge bombshell – with a shock outcome Arrow MORE: Ravi’s life destroyed ahead of exit as the baby secret explodes in EastEnders The Soaps Newsletter – Daily All the latest soaps spoilers and gossip, in your inbox every morning.