EastEnders fans have ‘worked out’ how Max Branning’s return will lead to Stacey Slater’s exit from the programme.

Max actor Jake Wood made his return to the BBC soap after several years away at the beginning of the month.

It was revealed through a flashback sequence that Max was having an affair with Stacey’s cousin Zoe Slater in spite of their turbulent history together.

The pair’s unison was cut short when Zoe abandoned Max, who thinks she stole £5,000 from him, after she was assaulted by a Private Investigator.

Previously warning Zoe, while she was in hospital after getting shot, that he would be back in Walford, fans got their wish in scenes aired on Tuesday night (September 30).

Lauren Branning was left stunned in the previous episode when her fiancée Peter Beale asked if they could marry there and then in the Queen Vic.

Initially insisting that she was fine, Max’s daughter tried to flee from the wedding, only for Stacey to intercept.

After sharing a heart to heart, Stacey, who brought up taking the late Martin Fowler for granted, Lauren composed herself and returned to the Vic.

Saying their vows in front of their family and friends, Lauren and Peter tied the knot as the former asked the women to try to catch her bouquet.

In a traditionally stunning return, the flowers landed on the floor as Max arrived, who calmly picked it up and said it was ‘his lucky day’.

With the ‘duff duff’ arriving on Stacey’s stunned face, seeing Max may have a part to play in Lacey Turner’s exit.

It was revealed in recent weeks that Stacey is moving to Brazil to live with her brother Sean Slater, who owns a restaurant in the South American county.

Fans rushed to X, previously known as Twitter, to have their say on how Max will ultimately make Stacey decide to go with her gut and move abroad.

@RyanSoapKing25 said: “#EastEnders Stacey has a change of heart and decides to go to Brazil after all but leaves with Max Branning. Max then makes his full time return in December after leaving Stacey in Brazil and comes face to face with Linda and his daughter Annie.” @Wee_Westie29 argued: “Somehow I can’t see him actually leaving with Stacey if she’s actually going to Brazil to work with Sean as Sean always hated Max’s guts and Max is a stranger to Hope and Arthur. #Eastenders.”

@bbceastenders wrote: “The way I screeched with excitement at seeing Max back. Oh we so needed him #Eastenders.” @TVAddict2025 stated: “New ‘gaggle of characters staring in disbelief at the camera’ shot just dropped x #EastEnders

@jones_emma54777 commented: “GoshStacey probably IS the Love of Max’s Life , as Martin was Stacey’s. After clocking Lauren in her dress the very next person He focused on looking at was of course Stacey. #EastEnders.” @Hannah__O posted: “Max Branning is finally officially back. It’s about time. Let’s be avin ya.”