REALLY MAD MAX!

Will desperate Max get his revenge – or his comeuppance – this Christmas, as he shelters from his enemies with Stacey?

Max Branning’s sins come back to haunt him this Christmas, leaving his life in tatters and destroying his family. In fact it could be Max’s worst Christmas ever – and that’s really saying something.

Max has been a pariah since his involvement in the luxury homes development scam became public knowledge. He persuaded residents to sell their homes and businesses to a property developer, in revenge for being framed for Lucy Beale’s murder. But Max himself was doublecrossed and left destitute. Jake Wood, who plays Max, says, ‘Everything’s fallen through and he’s at an all-time low with no job, no money, no relationship and no home. You’re seeing a man who’s been pushed to his absolute limit. He has nothing to lose.

‘Max is isolated and in a traumatic mental state. I don’t think he knows what he’s going to do. He’s dangerous and convinced he wants to kill Ian Beale and Phil Mitchell for their role in having him locked up for a crime he didn’t commit. At the same time quite a few people want to kill Max too, so it’s going to be an interesting week.’

It certainly looks bleak on Christmas Eve. Max’s daughters Lauren and Abi – who will soon be leaving EastEnders – tell him they want nothing to do with him. Does he play a role in their departure? ‘I can’t say, but it doesn’t look like there’s going to be any resolution to their difficulties,’ says Jake, who adds how much he’ll miss Jacqueline Jossa and Lorna Fitzgerald, who play Lauren and Abi (inset with Max). ‘They’re delightful to be around. It’s very sad but I’m incredibly excited to see what they do next and I’ve no doubt they’ll go on to successful careers.’

Only Stacey takes pity on Max and, ignoring husband Martin’s fears, takes him in. Max and Stacey (pictured) were, of course, the stars of another festive shocker when their affair was exposed on Christmas Day 2007. More hell is looming though when Stacey’s lost phone – which contains a voicemail from Jane Beale incriminating Max – is found.

Max killed Steven Beale and left Steven’s stepmum Jane to die in the fire at Beale’s restaurant. Jane survived but Max forced her to leave Walford and warned her never to contact her friends or family again.

Jake, who has two children with his wife Alison, says, ‘Max felt he’d dealt with Jane, but her voicemail will destroy the Branning family and have wider repercussions across Albert Square. It’s a ticking time bomb.’

So what could all this mean for Max, one of the show’s favourite characters? ‘It’s always possible they might get rid of him,’ says Jake. ‘I don’t think anyone’s got a job for life here so watch this space.’ It’s been all-action since Jake, who’s 45, returned from a year off looking after his children while his character languished in jail. ‘It’s been an amazing 12 months and I think the pay-off we’re going to get at Christmas will be incredible.’