Max Branning's back! What happens next as he returns to Walford, from Linda reunion to big family bust-up
The proverbial bad penny returns
Max Branning returned to EastEnders tonight (Tuesday, December 16), arriving on Albert Square in the aftermath of a house fire which almost claimed son Oscar’s life. This came as the family reckoned with the recent return of Jasmine Fisher, who (very badly) attempted to make things right with the Beales and the Brannings.
Done with Jasmine’s secrecy, a heartbroken Oscar ended their relationship. Meanwhile, Zoe became trapped in a house fire when her stalker struck again, locking her in a burning room at Lauren and Peter’s.
Both survived the fire and, as Oscar recovered in hospital, the one and only Max Branning returned.
Here’s everything that happened in EastEnders tonight… and what happens next.
Oscar ended things with Jasmine
With Jasmine down the station, questioning continued. With no evidence that Jasmine had actually attacked Cindy, the police were forced to let her go. Oscar was overjoyed to hear that she had nothing to do with the Fords, and was free to return to Walford with him.
Still, he was convinced that she was still hiding something, and Jasmine’s typically evasive behaviour wasn’t doing any favours. Hoping to clear things up with the family, he returned home, with Jasmine in tow, so that she might make things right.
Facing interrogation from the family, Jasmine crumbled. She was unable to explain why she’d been so obsessed with Cindy, nor what she’d meant in her grand revenge speech to Nigel.
As she left, she crossed paths with the Branning-Beales’ lodger… her mum, Zoe Slater.
In McClunky’s, Oscar was still stewing over Jasmine’s obvious secrets. Knowing that he could no longer trust her, he broke off their relationship.
Zoe was trapped in a fire
Home alone at the Branning-Beale household, Zoe was surprised to smell fire coming from one of the bedrooms. She walked in to find a teddy bear ablaze, and the fire beginning to take hold.
And, before she could exit, someone locked the door behind her. Outside, Oscar heard Zoe’s cries for help, and rushed in to save her.
Max Branning returned in EastEnders tonight
He managed to break the bedroom door down, pulling Zoe from the burning building. As Amy raised the alarm, the residents of Walford rushed out of The Vic to see Oscar and Zoe emerge from the smoke and the flames.
As the Brannings made their way to the hospital, Kat and Zoe both accused Jean of starting the fire. Jean denied being responsible and, realising how much she was suffering, Kat believed her… and re-iterated her promise to stand by Jean.
The Slaters weren’t the only ones pointing fingers. At the hospital, the Brannings accused Jasmine of being behind the fire. This, she denied. As the family continued to argue, another unexpected arrival stopped them all in their tracks. Max Branning is back!
What happens next as Max returns to EastEnders
Max waits at Oscar’s side as he recovers in EastEnders tomorrow (Wednesday, December 17). He soon grows suspicious when he sees how uncharacteristically close Ian and Lauren have grown in his absence.
Back on Albert Square, Linda panicks when she sees Max strutting the streets of Walford again. With the truth about little Annie looming over them both, Max and Linda head for a drink at The Albert.
Afterwards, he heads to The Vic, where things gets ugly when Max shares his suspicions about Ian and Lauren for all to hear.
Inside the boozy Traitors wrap party as cast reunite: Reece's 'secret boyfriend'; Amanda falling over; star's baby bump
Host Claudia Winkleman was nowhere to be seen as Faithfuls and Traitors came together to raise a toast to this year's winners.
All the gang were there as they gathered at the BBC for the final live episode of The Traitors: Uncloaked. They then headed off for dinner, before letting their hair down at the wrap party with host Ed Gamble.
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Cheers! Ross and Amanda enjoyed cocktails over dinner (Credit: Instagram)[/caption]
Screening, Uncloaked, dinner then drinks!
The Faithfuls and Traitors were dressed to impress at the screening of the finale. Winner Rachel in a long, red sequined evening gown, while banished Maz donned a black tux. Jessie looked stunning in a yellow silk two-piece that flashed her abs. Especially as she left the party with her arm flung in the air!
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Pregnant Roxy was among those enjoying an Italian meal ahead of the Traitors wrap party (Credit: Instagram)[/caption]
After watching the final live, and recording spin-off Uncloaked, the cast of The Traitors headed for dinner – an Italian, as Ross and Ellie detailed on their Instagram. The gang were seeing tucking into pizza and pasta, topped off with espresso martinis.
Then, fuelled for the night ahead, it was time to party…
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Faithfuls and Traitors reunite
Jack, who was banished during the brutal end game, was also seen celebrating with Traitor Hugo. He also assured fans: "Don’t worry…. We’re all friends now."
Secret Traitors Fiona's high heels seemed to get too uncomfortable as she was seen opting for bare feet as she puffed in a cigarette outside the venue.
Sam, meanwhile, was seen beaming while walking hand-in-hand with his wife Alexandra as they made their exit.
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Spirits were high as Ellie, Jessie and Fiona left the wrap party (Credit: Instagram)[/caption]
Pregnant Roxy was also at the party, with her mum Judy. Roxy looked stunning as she showed off her growing baby bump.
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Elsewhere, Amanda appeared to have fallen over on some stairs outside the venue, and was picked up by Reece!
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'Me and my secret boyfriend'
On the subject of Reece, he posted an Instagram picture with winner Stephen and said: "Me and my secret boyfriend."
"Oh I’d love that. Icons," declared one fan. "You make a gorgeous couple so I wouldn’t blame you guys if you did," said a second. "They're joking," a third pointed out, clearly getting the joke that fans thought everyone in the series was connected in some way.
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The morning after the night before…
The following day, once their sore heads had subsided, the cast of The Traitors 2026 returned to social media.
This time, they shared pictures of all the fun they've been having behind closed doors, while they waited for the series to air.
Proving she's fully invested in her army of Faithfuls and Traitors long after the series wrapped, host Claudia Winkleman was among those commenting. "Amazing!" she declared on Reece's carousel of pictures . The shots showed him having fun – as opposed to crying! – with Fiona, Judy, Sam, Jessie, Hugo, Harriet and the rest of the gang.
