EastEnders’ Max makes huge decision but dramatic exit will follow

Max is in a right mess…no surprise there (Picture: BBC) EastEnders’ Max Branning (Jake Wood) recently swore he was going to make Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) forget all about her beloved Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), and he steps up that campaign with a proposal next week. The Walford lothario is set to pop the question to his latest squeeze following the unexpected reappearance of Mick’s former wife Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) this week, which opened up old wounds for Linda. With the cunning character having waltzed back into Walford with a bombshell revelation for Linda about Mick – who was presumed dead following the tragic events of Christmas Day 2022 – fans have seen the former Queen Vic landlady put through the emotional wringer over the last few days. As a new week dawns on Albert Square, Max is guilt-ridden over his recent actions, which saw him lie to Linda about Mick being in the coffin. To distract himself, he decides he’s going to propose to Linda and make her Mrs Branning number five. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Janine tried to trick everyone into thinking that Mick had definitely died (Picture:BBC) He gets down on one knee after another drama-filled day for the Carter family, during which Lee Carter’s (Danny Hatchard) estranged partner Jess arrives with an ultimatum for him following the birth of their surrogate baby. It forces Lee’s alcoholism into sharp focus, but while fans will have to wait and see if he will finally agree to face his addiction once and for all, the emotion of the day leads to Max laying his heart on the line to Linda and asking her to marry him. Against her better judgment, she accepts his proposal, lining herself up to be the mystery bride we saw in the Max-centric episode back in January, which flash-forwarded to New Year’s Day 2027. Linda and Max later celebrate their engagement with a gathering at Peacock Palace, but after their news reaches his jealous ex-wife Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), she crashes the party. Linda gets ready to become Mrs Branning (Picture: BBC) Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Expecting a confrontation, Max is surprised when she presents him with paperwork about their annulment, which he signs. But little does he realise that Cindy had previously had a conversation with Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) – who is equally fuming with Max following his affair with Ravi’s partner Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan-Levy) – that left her plotting her next move. With the soap’s recent winter trailer teasing that her revenge campaign steps up in the build-up to New Year’s Day, and fans already know that Max and Linda are unlikely to get a happy ending as actress Kellie Bright is leaving the soap in early 2027… Deals of the Day The best Black Friday beauty deals on the Dr Barbara Sturm face cream and hyaluronic serum The best Black Friday sleep deals to upgrade your bedroom with Simba’s 33% off sale Why shoppers are rushing to snap up this 99p Audible deal before Christmas 14,500 five-star reviews later, this cult sleep spray is discounted for Black Friday Shoppers ditch expensive dental work for these £19.99 MySweetSmile whitening strips EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 16th November at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer. Arrow MORE: Max’s grim new plan for Linda after dead Mick lie as EastEnders spoilers confirm what’s next Arrow MORE: EastEnders confirms heartbreaking tribute to ‘dead’ Mick – but carnage will follow Arrow MORE: Mick Carter’s EastEnders return ‘sealed’ as fans clock Christmas twist The Soaps Newsletter – Daily All the latest soaps spoilers and gossip, in your inbox every morning.