BBC Share By Joel Harley Dec 16 2025 By Joel Harley Dec 16 2025 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 Linda Carter Max Branning Oscar Branning Share By Joel Harley Dec 16 2025 By Joel Harley Dec 16 2025 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 tried to smooth things over between Jasmine and his family (Credit: BBC) 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. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers 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. Has Zoe’s stalker struck again? (Credit: BBC) 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. The proverbial bad penny returns (Credit: BBC) 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! Max stands vigil over Oscar (Credit: BBC) 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. What else happened in EastEnders tonight? As Zoe's stalker turned arsonist, Anthony made it his mission to track down his long-lost twins. After sharing what he'd learned with Chelsea, Anthony paid Kat a visit... where he proceeded to tell a terrible lie about the babies' fate. Elsewhere, Sam shared a moment with Linda, while Lauren risked her secret being exposed. Here's everything else that happened in EastEnders tonight. Anthony lied to Kat A shocked Anthony left the hospital, reeling from what he had just learned. Back in Walford, Anthony clashed with Chelsea as he drowned his sorrows in The Albert. He was full of self-pity over the twins, and raging at Zoe for keeping them from him. A shocked Chelsea listened as he explained the situation, sharing how Zoe had lied about the twins' birth date... abandoning them in a hospital, while he was still out there in the world, unaware. And so a new obsession emerged. Anthony was going to track down his long-lost children and warn them to keep away from their waste of a mother. Later, he paid Kat a visit at The Vic. He told her that both of the twins had died once Zoe left the hospital. He then offered to break the news to Zoe himself, although Kat insisted that they sit on this new 'information' until after Christmas. Zack learned about Sam's cancer fears At the Mitchells', Zack was reunited with Sam - and quickly spotted a leaflet from the hospital. He vowed to support her, come what may, just as she'd supported him when he was diagnosed as HIV positive. Linda made amends Later, at the Albert, Sam ran into Linda. Linda, who was still raging at Elaine for spending all of their money on Peacock Palace. For once, Sam proved the voice of reason, pointing out the future that Elaine had built for her and the family. Linda returned to Peacock Palace, where she swallowed her pride and thanked Elaine for all that she'd done. Peter stumbled across Lauren's guilty secret Peter had gotten a call from the bank, chasing up on the charity money. She tried to cover her tracks again, claiming that she'd left the money in the safe at the car lot, then forgotten about it. Lauren was talking to Kathy about the day's events when Peter burst in, revealing that the money had been nicked. Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Share Good to Know Share By Joel Harley Dec 16 2025 By Joel Harley Dec 16 2025 Previous Story Next Story
