Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) is back in Walford in time for Christmas in EastEnders. However, the problem is the same, and so is Max Branning (Jake Wood).
Max and Cindy’s paths never crossed, but Cindy already has plenty of reasons to hate him.
During the storyline where Max took revenge on those who accused him of killing Lucy Beale, he manipulated Steven Beale, Cindy’s son, into helping him do so.
This was because Max discovered that Steven was pretending to have a brain tumor.
In the plot, Max set the restaurant on fire with the intention of leaving Jane Beale to die inside. When Max discovered Steven was trying to save Jane, he pushed him against a counter.
Steven was then rushed to hospital, but he died as a result of the fire. Cindy knows that if Max wasn’t so determined to destroy Jane’s life, Steven would probably still be alive.
Max has returned to Albert Square because he wants to show his family that he is a changed man. However, in the run-up to Christmas Day, he does this terribly well, as he vents his frustrations among his family after the revelation of a secret.
Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) and Jack (Scott Maslen) promise to support him and believe they have persuaded Max to act irrationally, but their intentions are thwarted when Max accepts advice from Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan).
On Christmas Day, Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and Peter Beale (Thomas Law) are forced into action to keep a returning Cindy away from Max.
As dinner begins, it doesn’t take long for chaos to ensue as more than one truth sets off fireworks at the dinner table for everyone involved.
‘He clearly has a history with Linda, who hasn’t told him Annie is his daughter, and neither has his family. “I’m sure Max would be heartbroken to discover not only that he has been kept in the dark for the past four years and away from the chance to be Annie’s father, but that his family has played a part in it,” said star Jake Wood.
‘Then there’s Cindy, who blames Max for the death of her son Steven and his involvement with Lucy, and they’ve never met before, so there needs to be a showdown between the pair, which we’ll see at Jimmy’s Christening. I can’t say much right now, but they were great scenes to film. There’s also all the family business with Max, Lauren, Oscar and Jack, so there’s a lot of unfinished business waiting for him when he returns.
‘There’s also lots to do with lots of other extended families in Walford, so it’s a good balance between lots of drama and chaos over the festive period! Watch this space.’
With the events of Christmas looming over Walford, the Beales and Brannings try to put on a brave face to celebrate Jimmy’s baptism.
Can’t wait for the next twist?
Hello, I’m Calli Kitson, Soaps reporter at Metro. I cover Emmerdale, EastEnders, Corrie and more.
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Lauren and Peter are a bit distracted, however, as they worry about Cindy and Max’s first meeting. To avoid drama, they decide to invite Max.
However, when Lauren later notices that her father is angry about not being invited, she changes her mind.
When Cindy learns that Max is present, she refuses to go, but he clashes with Jack, resulting in him not being allowed to attend after all.
Max ignores everyone and goes to church. Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t take long for him to cause a stir in Cindy…
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