EastEnders has teased an explosive showdown between Cindy Beale and Max Branning as the iconic character returns to the Square.

In scenes airing next week, Peter Beale is organising a covert ceremony for Lauren Branning, but her father Max’s surprise entrance risks ruining his plans.

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Peter knows that his mum Cindy holds a grudge against Max as she thinks he’s responsible for her son Steven’s death. When Max shows up unannounced, Peter is on edge, fearing that Cindy could come back and confront him.

Meanwhile, Max and Lauren argue over their similarities as she orders him to leave Walford for good.

Later on, Jasmine Fisher informs Cindy that Max is back in town. A stunned Cindy returns to the Queen Vic, packed for the ceremony, to face him.

For his part, Max has no idea that Cindy blames him for Steven’s death. Back in 2017, Steven died of the injuries sustained in a fight with Max, but actor Jake Wood insists it was “an accident”.

“I don’t think Max Branning knows much about Cindy, in fact I don’t think he’s ever met Cindy,” Wood told Digital Spy in an exclusive chat.

“I don’t think that he knows that she thinks he killed Steven. I don’t think Max really was that responsible, if you think back – they had a fight and he pushed him,” the actor continued.

“It was an accident, so he didn’t intentionally want Steven to die. But there’ll definitely be some drama between them, I’m sure.”

Max was last seen in Walford in late 2020, when he left the Square for Croatia after the end of his affair with Linda Carter.