BBC/Composite: EastEnders Insider Share By Joel Harley Jul 11 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 11 2025 7 theories for who Max will hook up with when he returns to Walford Lock up your daughters Cindy Beale Features Max Branning Stacey Slater Share By Joel Harley Jul 11 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 11 2025 Max Branning is renowned as one of EastEnders most prolific lotharios of all time – and, with his return imminent, fans are wondering who’s next. During his time on the soap, Max quickly establised that there was no low to which he wouldn’t stoop by sleeping with his daughter-in-law, Stacey. Subsequent notches in his bedpost would also include the likes of Lucy Beale (his daughter’s best friend), Ranie Cross (his wife’s sister), Vanessa Gold, Ruby Allen and Linda Carter. In fact, it might be easier to make a list of who Max didn’t sleep with during his 15 year tenure on the soap. With Max set to return this autumn, fans have already begun speculating upon whom Max might set his sights this time. And with a cast full of old flames, new faces and returning figures, there’s no shortage of fuel for Max’s fire. Max and Stacey have history…. to say the least (Credit: BBC) 1. EastEnders fans predict Stacey reunion amid Max return Beyond his brother and daughters, it’s Stacey Slater with whom Max shares the most history with in Walford. Their steamy affair sent shockwaves around the Square when it was exposed in 2007 – and they continued to return to each others’ arms (and beds) in the decade following. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Sharing their thoughts on social media, many assumed that Stacey and Max would soon pick up where they left off, upon his return. “Yeah there’s nothing to stop Max chasing Stacey and now that she’s widowed, but the kids may think differently…” wrote one fan on X. “OMG I’m sooooo excited for this!!! Please please let Max get back with Stacey,” begged another, over on Instagram. “I would love him to be back with Stacey,” said a third. But with Lacey Turner’s exit from the soap impending, will the pair reunite… or pass, like ships in the night? Max and Linda have a daughter together (Credit: BBC) 2. Max once had an affair with Linda on EastEnders Max’s other major affair was with Linda Carter, who he slept with while she was with husband Mick. This affair resulted in the birth of their daughter Annie, although Max left Walford before he could find out that he’d fathered another child. Since then, Mick is no longer around (he’s quite literally lost at sea), and Linda hasn’t dated since. Is the door now open for a Max and Linda romance? “Maybe this is far fetched, but did the writers intentionally keep Linda single so she can reunite with max, since mick ain’t in the picture no more,” suggested one fan. Will Denise being his brother’s wife stop Max from making a move? (Credit: BBC) 3. Denise is his brother’s (ex) wife If there’s one thing we know about Max, it’s that his philandering knows no bounds. Between sleeping with his son’s wife, his daughter’s best friend and his wife’s sister, Max won’t be held back by societal norms. Might he then set his sights on Jack’s (albeit divorced) wife, kicking off a feud between brothers? “As a possibility Max could also try his luck with Denise – it’s not the first time Jack and Max have fought over a woman ie Tanya,” suggested one fan. This seems somewhat unlikely, given Jack and Denise have only just reunited thanks to a public vote… but when was Max ever one to care about what people think? Will Max set his sights on glamorous Priya? (Credit: BBC) 4. EastEnders fans predict fireworks between Priya and Max upon return Some have predicted that Max’s eye will soon be taken by Priya Nandra-Hart once he returns to Walford. Between Tanya, Vanessa and Karin Smart (Denise Van Outen!), Max always had a thing for Walford’s most glamorous women. And who’s more glamourous these days than Priya? “when priya and max finally meet…” predicted one fan. “I feel like Priya and Cindy are definitely on the list for Max surely,” said another. Max would certainly be enamored, but would Priya really go there? A match made in heaven… or hell? (Credit: BBC) 5. Max to meet his match in Nicola Mitchell? With Teddy not exactly receptive to her efforts to get the family back together, Nicola Mitchell is a free woman at the moment. Recent scenes on the soap saw her flirt with an also newly-single George Knight… but we’d argue she’d be far more suited to smooth-talking Max. “If Max is coming back, my money is on him having a fling with Nicola. I’m shipping “Macola!” exclaimed one fan on X. “Max branning and Nicola Mitchell would make a great couple,” noted another. Might Max go for his old enemy’s ex? (Credit: BBC) 6. Max and Cindy would be an obvious pairing, EastEnders fans predict Another obvious pairing is Max and the one-and-only Cindy Beale, ex-wife of his frequent nemesis, Ian Beale. She also has something of a reputation, having cheated on Ian multiple times over the years – most recently with her (other) ex-husband’s son, Junior. “He will have Cindy in bed before you know it,” predicted one fan. “I’m sure his first target will be Cindy,” said another. “Max Branning and Cindy Beale to get together. Give us this drama, please,” begged a third. Poor Ian won’t know what hit him. Zoe also returned to EastEnders this year (Credit: BBC( 7. Zoe Slater will also return to EastEnders – but will Max come too? Prior to her return earlier this year, many fans had predicted that Zoe Slater might arrive back in Walford with a new man in tow. Putting two and two together, a popular fan theory suggested that Max and Zoe might return as a two-for-one deal, as the soap’s next big power couple. This didn’t come to pass, but with Zoe set to make her permanent return later this year, some still think that a Zoe and Max relationship might be on the cards. “I predict a Zoe max affair,” wrote one fan. “Hear me out, Max and Zoe,” said another. Could Max and Zoe still be a thing? And, more to the point, is this something anyone wants? Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Good to Know Share By Joel Harley Jul 11 2025 By Joel Harley Jul 11 2025
