EastEnders star addresses Max and Stacey future as exit story begins

Could a Max and stacey reunion be on the cards? (Picture: BBC Picture Archives)

It was the Christmas EastEnders storyline that put us all off our turkey – but only because we couldn’t stop watching the telly.

I am, of course, referring to the reveal of Max Branning’s (Jake Wood) affair with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).

All the way back in 2007, Lauren Branning (then Madeline Duggan) burnt home video footage of the two kissing onto a DVD, and left it under the Christmas tree.

A huge argument escalated, Max’s son Bradley (Charlie Clements) – who was also married to Stacey – spiralled, while his wife Tanya (Jo Joyner) packed her bags to leave.

In one final twist, she fell down the staircase and was knocked unconscious.

Festivities they’ll never forget!

Despite the huge repercussions for both of their families, they clearly were unable to resist one another and on a number of occasions, have hooked back up.

We were all gripped on Christmas Day 2007, something which actor Scott Maslen has reflected on (Picture: BBC Picture Archives)

With Max making his way back to Albert Square, could old feelings resurface?

EastEnders stars discuss a potential reunion between Max and Stacey

There’s a bit of a problem. As this week’s episodes have shown, over the last few months, Max has been engaging in somewhat of a romance with Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan).

He gave her a sum of cash to pay a private investigator that was tracking down the son she gave up for adoption in 2006, but things turned awry and she ended up knocking the man unconscious when he demanded more cash.

Max tried to step in and help her, but she didn’t want to hear it.

They haven’t seen one another since, and Zoe has warned that she would ‘end’ Max if he tried to track her down to Walford.

Max and Zoe have got to know one another over the last few months (Picture: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron) It’s only a matter of time before the Branning and Slater clans find out (Picture: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)

She’s none the wiser to his past with Stacey, however.

On whether there’s unfinished business, Jake Wood told us: ‘Undoubtedly, yeah. She’s on her own. Max isn’t quite.

‘There’ll always be a connection between Max and Stacey, an emotional connection.’

Co-star Scott Maslen, who plays his brother Jack Branning, added: ‘You have those EastEnders moments.

‘Angie and Den, Max and Stacey. We were all sitting there at Christmas with the DVD. Those moments where the whole nation goes ‘Oh, s**t…’

Jake on Lacey Turner’s exit

Earlier this year, Lacey Turner announced that she was quitting the show for an extended break, and we don’t know when or if she’ll come back.

Lacey is departing the show for an extended break (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Jake said that this could be a stumbling block for anything to flourish between them, or whether they’ll see one another again at all.

‘Whether the timing is right for them to reconnect I’m not sure,’ he said.

‘We know Lacey Turner is going on an extended break, and whether his paths cross with Stacey you’ll have to wait and see.’

Executive Producer Ben Wadey remained more optimistic, saying that it’s likely that Stace’ will find out about Max’s relationship with Zoe this autumn.

‘You have the Brannings and the Slaters to discover that,’ he chirped.

‘What’s Stacey going to think? It’s just this bomb that we wanted to put at the forefront and let it blow.’

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