![\"Max](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Max-Branning-Flashforward-Landscape-d95d.jpg\")
\n\t\tWill Max Branning have a new love interest in 2027? And will it be a fan-favourite?(Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tWill Max Branning have a new love interest in 2027? And will it be a fan-favourite?(Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
Max Branning<\/a> (Jake Wood<\/a>) will take centre stage in EastEnders<\/a> this New Year, with a special flashforward episode<\/a> set to focus on what the future holds for the legendary lothario.<\/p>\n The offering in question, which airs New Year\u2019s Day<\/a>, will see the character \u2013 who returned to the Square in September after four years away \u2013 exactly one year in the future, where he finds himself in a sticky situation.<\/p>\n How very Max. <\/p>\n What exactly his plight will entail<\/a> \u2013 or who will be involved \u2013 remains shrouded in mystery but there\u2019s plenty of room for speculation, with fans already having their thinking caps on as they try to dig for clues.<\/p>\n Of the supposedly several tricky predicaments Max finds himself in at the beginning of 2027, a wedding seems a likely possibility, with the Walford icon pictured wearing a suit in the promotional photo released alongside the episode announcement. <\/p>\n Not only that, but he picked up the bouquet at daughter Lauren<\/a>\u2019s (Jacqueline Jossa<\/a>) wedding earlier this year and we all know what that means!<\/p>\n But, if this does prove to be the case \u2013 and Max does walk down the aisle once more \u2013 then just who is the bride-to-be this time around?<\/p>\n Given that Max is not exactly a stranger when it comes to relationships and weddings<\/a>, narrowing down possible brides should be a tall task. However, there is just one name that springs to mind for me \u2013 and a multitude of reasons why.<\/p>\n Stacey Slater<\/a> (Lacey Turner<\/a>).<\/p>\n \t\t While Stacey left the show in September<\/a>, it\u2019s worth keeping in mind that star Lacey\u2019s departure is thought to be a temporary one as opposed to a full-blown exit, with a spokesperson for the BBC One soap stating earlier this year that she will be back when \u2018the time is right\u2019.<\/p>\n This was reiterated once again when, following her exit scenes, EastEnders\u2019 official social media channels posted a message waving \u2018goodbye to Lacey Turner\u2026 for now\u2019.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tCan’t wait for the next twist?\t\t\t<\/p>\n Hi, I\u2019m Stephen Patterson, Metro\u2019s deputy soaps editor.<\/p>\n If you want to stay up to date on the latest spoilers from Hollyoaks, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Corrie and more, sign up to\u00a0our daily Soaps Newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t From the big moments to the gossip you can\u2019t miss, it\u2019s all in your inbox every morning.\u00a0Sign up now<\/a>.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, Stacey \u2013 who is undoubtedly one of EastEnders\u2019 biggest characters, played by one of its most-lauded actors in Lacey \u2013 didn\u2019t receive a Julia\u2019s Theme for her goodbye sequence, which again echoes the sentiment that it wasn\u2019t actually goodbye and was instead a \u2018see you later\u2019.<\/p>\n With Stacey pretty much guaranteed to return, the upcoming flashforward seems like it a perfect chance for her to stage her return. <\/p>\n \t\t And the seeds for such a thing appear to have already been set in motion. <\/p>\n Despite having decided to leave the Square in the wake of her grief over Martin Fowler\u2019s death<\/a>, Stacey\u2019s exit scenes were almost entirely about Max, who had only just set foot back in Walford.<\/p>\n At the time, Max made it quite clear that he\u2019d be open to the prospect of rekindling their passion but Stacey couldn\u2019t have been less interested after she uncovered his romance with Zoe<\/a> (Michelle Ryan<\/a>).<\/p>\n Max tried to make things right so that they didn\u2019t part on bad terms but Stacey had nothing more to say as she got in a black cab.<\/p>\n \t\t In her final moments on screen, she was seen listening to a voicemail from Max, who pondered that maybe one day they would \u2018see each other again\u2019. <\/p>\n I don\u2019t know about you but a line of dialogue implying that Stacey and Max might see one another again in the future seems a deliberate choice now that we know there is a flashforward coming. <\/p>\n Could this confirm that Stacey will be back at some point next year and that she and Max have worked out their issues and reunited? <\/p>\n With Lacey\u2019s return a certainty, all arrows are pointing to an appearance in the flashforward \u2013 but will Stace be the next Mrs Branning?<\/p>\n EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC<\/a> One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. <\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us\u00a0soaps@metro.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Join the community by leaving a comment below and\u00a0stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Max](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/530465-ebbc.jpg\")
\n\t\tAnother wedding in Max\u2019s future? (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barns\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Stephen-Patterson-September-2023-16a4-3acb.webp\")
\n\t\tWake up to the latest storylines with my reporting (Picture: Stephen Patterson)<\/p>\n![\"Stacey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/529504-8d36.jpg\")
\n\t\tWill Stacey appear in Max\u2019s flashforward? (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barns\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Television](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AN_58706297-6446.jpg\")
\n\t\tWill Max and Stacey rekindle their passion? (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
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