BBC Share By Joel Harley Sep 4 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 4 2025 Max Branning on EastEnders: failed marriages, tragic children and history with Slater women A history of the Walford icon Jake Wood Max Branning Share By Joel Harley Sep 4 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 4 2025 Max Branning returned to EastEnders last night (Wednesday, September 3) in a shocking twist on Zoe Slater’s story. As Zoe lay on death’s door after being shot by Jack and Ravi, a phone call from Max revealed their surprising connection. This officially marks Max’s return to the soap, having left Walford in February 2021. Last night’s scenes are setting up a full-time return for actor Jake Wood, who revealed earlier this year that he’d finally be reprising his most famous role. But how much do we know about Max Branning? From his failed manages to that infamous affair, join us as we take a look back at the life and times of Max Branning. Max Branning returned to EastEnders last night (Credit: BBC) When did Max Branning join EastEnders? Max Branning first joined EastEnders on June 26, 2006, along with wife Tanya and his daughters Lauren and Abi. Upon arriving, he joined father Jim Branning and son Bradley, who already lived in the neighbourhood. Although estranged Bradley initially wanted nothing to do with his dad, the pair eventually managed to form a close bond. Until the affair, that is… Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Max’s surviving children include son Oscar and daughter Lauren (Credit: BBC) How many children does Max Branning have? Max has one son from a previous marriage, in Bradley Branning. With Tanya, he had three children – Lauren, Abi and Oscar. His 2021 affair with Linda Carter also resulted in the birth of daughter Annie, although he does not yet know she exists. He also has a number of grandchildren; Lauren’s sons Louie and Jimmy Beale, plus late daughter Abi’s own child, Abi Jr. Max married Tanya twice (Credit: BBC/YouTube) How many times has Max been married? Max has been married four times, first to Bradley’s mother, Rachel. His longest marriage was to Oscar and the girls’ mum, Tanya Cross, which lasted for 16 years. He has also been married to Kirsty Bell and Tanya’s sister, Rainie Cross. Four years is a long time in Max Branning time though, so we wouldn’t discount another Branning wife or two just yet. There’s also the legendary lothario’s many affairs, relationships and one-night stands. As of 2020, The Sun reported Max to have bedded 15 women since joining the soap. This includes Vanessa Gold (she of ‘bubbly’s in the fridge’ fame), Lucy Beale, Karin Smart (played by Denise Van Outen), Ruby Allen and Stacey Slater… again. Max and Stacey’s guilty secret tore the family apart (Credit: BBC) What happened between Max and Stacey? Max is perhaps best remembered for his scandalous affair with his son’s wife, Stacey. The pair carried on behind their families’ back for about a year, before being exposed on Christmas Day in 2007. The family looked on in horror as they watched footage from Stacey and Bradley’s wedding day, in which raunchy behind-the-scenes footage caught Stacey and Max kissing as he helped her get ready for the big day. The pair rekindled their romance in 2017, sleeping together again on Christmas Eve, while she was with Martin Fowler. Branning children and rooftops – a lethal combination (Credit: BBC) What happened to Bradley and Abi? Max has experienced much tragedy in his life. First was the death of son Bradley, who died in 2010 after falling from the roof of The Queen Vic while on the run from the police. Poor Bradley died after taking the blame for killing Archie Mitchell… a crime actually committed by Stacey. History repeated itself a few years later, when daughter Abi took a tumble from the same rooftop. This one was Max’s fault, after his daughters intervened when he attempted to take his own life. Lauren survived, but Abi did not, leaving Max and Tanya deeply broken by the death of their child. Max departed Walford in 2021 (Credit: BBC/YouTube) When did Max leave EastEnders? Max left the soap in 20121, following the collapse of his affair with Linda. After upsetting pretty much the whole Square by publicly outing Mick Carter as an abuse victim, Max slunk out of town, disgraced and alone. Actor Jake Wood summed up his time on the soap, telling fans: “I have loved playing Max Branning who amongst other things in that time has had 4 marriages, 10 affairs, 4 children (2 dying from falling from the roof of The Queen Vic), been buried alive, watched unwanted DVDs at Xmas and perhaps most traumatising of all…shared a hot tub with Ian Beale.” Phew. What fresh trauma will his return heap upon Max Branning this time? 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 Sep 4 2025 By Joel Harley Sep 4 2025
