Weddings rarely tend to go smoothly in EastEnders, and if this boat load of spoilers we’re about to serve you is anything to go by, that rule appears to remain unaltered.

Peter Beale’s (Thomas Law) surprise wedding plans for Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) gives way to a jaw dropping return next week in the form of her dad and EastEnders icon, Max Branning (Jake Wood).

With two Slater women in Stacey (Lacey Turner) and Zoe (Michelle Ryan) he has deep history with, which one will Max focus on, if either?

Elsewhere, Stacey struggles with whether or not to start afresh outside of Walford, while Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) calls in the big guns in his efforts to escape Ravi Gulati’s (Aaron Thiara) drug operation.

Are you ready? Because the tea is about to be spilled…

Monday, September 29

While Peter scrambles to put together Lauren’s surprise wedding, cousin Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine) takes her for drinks, and, unaware of Peter’s impending surprise, continues to cast doubt on their relationship.

When summoned to the Vic by her fiancé, Lauren’s jaw hits the floor to see the pub dressed for a wedding, as Peter asks her to marry him.

Stacey’s attempts to convince Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) to move to Brazil prove futile; Lily and Charli will be staying in Walford.

While Jean (Gillian Wright) tries to convince Stacey to stay, Eve Panesar-Unwin (Heather Peace) supports the move.

Unwilling to leave without her daughter, Stacey announces at her leaving drinks that she’ll be staying put.

When word reaches Ravi and Okie (Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu) that a rival drugs gang has suffered repercussions from their latest exploits, they panic that Kojo Asare’s (Dayo Koleosho) flat will become a target.

Harry sees the rival gang descending but keeps shtum, hoping Ravi will withdraw his operation if the base is raided.

When Harry discovers that Okie has been attacked, he and Kojo clean the place up, infuriating girlfriend Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) when he no-shows the wedding.

Tuesday, September 30

While Lauren initially agrees to the wedding, she simmers with anxiety when heading to no.25 to prepare for the big day.

As the ceremony later begins, all eyes turn to the door as Max makes his big return.

Desperate to escape Ravi’s operation, Harry calls on his mum, Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) to help him.

With Harry explaining how deep he’s found himself in such a dangerous operation, Nicola vows to confront Ravi.

As two of the most dangerous people in Albert Square go head to head, who will come out on top?

With Cindy Beale’s (Michelle Collins) warnings about the Slater clan ringing in her ears, Jasmine Fisher’s (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) attitude toward them finds her facing their wrath

Wednesday, October 1

The wedding is stopped in its tracks as the residents of Walford process Max’s return to the Square.

Max’s focus lands on Stacey, while both Zoe, with a changed tune, and Lily attempt to convince her to move to Brazil, to which she finally agrees.

As Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier) desperately tries to get Max’s attention, he finds himself shut out when he places it squarely on Zoe.

Meanwhile, Peter panics at a clash between Max and Cindy, while Gina and Harry reconcile and plan a last-minute weekend away.

Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan-Levy) is fed up with Ravi’s lack of presence and, in an attempt to make him jealous, lies about her evening plans.

Thursday, October 3

Stacey and Mo Harris (Laila Morse) try their utmost to get hold of Jean, but unbeknownst to them, Jean is stuck on the tube with Priya and has no idea about the chaos that’s erupted back at home.

As Jean breaks into a panic attack, kind Priya helps calm her down.

Max and Lauren go head to head and viciously clash over the similarities between them before Lauren orders her dad out of the Square.

When Cindy learns from Jasmine of Max’s return, she prepares for a showdown of her own with the man who killed her son.