Max Branning finally returned to EastEnders tonight after months of anticipation. 

The popular character – played by actor Jake Wood – was last on our screens in February 2021. 

Max decided to wave goodbye to Walford after his affair with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) was exposed and she decided to stay with Mick over him. 

His brother Jack (Scott Maslen) told him to move on with his life, which inspired him to leave and go to New Zealand to be with his daughter Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa).

After four years away from the Square, Max showed his face during Wednesday’s instalment of the BBC show.

As viewers will know, earlier this week Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) also made a shock return to the programme. 

Max Branning (pictured) FINALLY returned to EastEnders tonight

EastEnders fans were left sobbing as Zoe Slater came face-to-face with her mum Kat on Tuesday after 20 years

 The market stall holder ends up in hospital after getting shot – which leaves Kat worrying about if her daughter is safe. 

Zoe’s mobile rings while she is in hospital and Kat decides to answer, not knowing that it’s actually Max Branning on the other end of the phone. 

Max decides to keep quiet so that Kat doesn’t know that it is him. 

The fan-favourite’s return was first teased back in July. 

And the following month it was reported that actor Jake was reportedly set to reprise his role as the legendary love rat. 

Bosses were reportedly looking forward to Jake to spice up the plots in his shock return.

A source told The Sun: ‘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.

The mother and daughter duo stood in the exact same spot where Kat declared she was her mother – a scene that has gone down in soap history

Jake’s alter-ego Max first appeared on EastEnders back in 2006, pictured with Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Slater 

‘There is plenty to go at. Max has loads of unfinished business in the Square and is set to ruffle some feathers.’ 

On Tuesday viewers of the long-running BBC soap were left stunned as the mother and daughter duo stood in the exact same spot where Kat declared she was her mother – a scene that has gone down in soap history.

It comes after actress Michelle Ryan reprised her role earlier this year after turning down several chances to return to Walford over the past two decades.

In dramatic scenes on Tuesday that picked up from the previous night’s cliffhanger, Kat was left fearing she lost Tommy for good before he turned up in the Square.

Getting out of a taxi, he told her: ‘Mum, I’ve brought you a present.’ 

As Kat and Zoe initially tried to clear the air in The Vic after a frosty reception, Zoe stayed for a fish and chips dinner after being introduced to her younger siblings Ernie and Bert.

EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.