EastEnders shock as legendary love rat returns after four years as Lacey Turner prepares to leave soap

A much-loved star is set to make a surprise return four years on from leaving the show.

, 52, played love rat Max Branning for an impressive 15 years before leaving to pursue other opportunities. Since Jake's final EastEnders scenes aired in early 2021, the popular actor has certainly been keeping himself busy - he's launched a well-liked podcast, showed off his acting chops in a spine-chilling called 2:22: A Ghost Story, and even bagged roles in pantomimes.

As his EastEnders exit was announced in 2021, Jake told fans of the soap: "After 15 years I will be leaving EastEnders at the end of this year. 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.

"I have made some truly great friends whilst on the show and I’ll miss everyone there. I’m grateful they have left the door open for Max and I’m excited to see what new horizons are around the corner. Thank you to everyone who has sent me messages this week, I appreciate the love and support."

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Recently Jake Wood reportedly to mark the show's 20th anniversary, after having launched in in 2005. The spin-off is expected to return to screens later this year.

The star-studded show has previously been released for and , with three series having aired between 2007 and 2019. and - who are now aides to - are among the celebrities who have competed in previous instalments of the spin-off. Bosses are said to be "so happy" to have signed up Jake.

But speculation has been rife among fans about Jake's possible return to the BBC One soap in recent months, but has now revealed that Max is set to return to the BBC One soap later this year in dramatic scenes.

His comeback coincides with former on-screen lover Stacey Slater, played by Lacey Turner, preparing to depart Walford. A telly source said: “Jake’s return is huge news for EastEnders fans as his character made a massive mark on the show. It’ll raise some eyebrows after he was absent from the 40th anniversary earlier this year. Bosses are excited about what his character’s reappearance means for spicing up the plots. There is plenty to go at. Max has loads of unfinished business in the Square and is set to ruffle some feathers.”

Last weekend, EastEnders scooped a TV Bafta for best soap — with executive producer Kate Oates teasing: “If you like a return, I don’t think you’re going to be disappointed because there’s potentially one on the cards. We’ve got some uncharted territory.”

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