{"id":416200,"date":"2026-02-09T13:02:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T13:02:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/416200\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T13:02:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T13:02:21","slug":"bullying-torment-in-eastenders-as-local-child-is-attacked-at-school-soaps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/416200\/","title":{"rendered":"Bullying torment in EastEnders as local child is attacked at school | Soaps"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Max
\n\t\tIt\u2019s a sticky situation for Max (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n

Max Branning<\/a>\u00a0(Jake Wood<\/a>) finds himself in the middle of yet another sticky situation in\u00a0EastEnders<\/a> next week and, for potentially the first time ever, it\u2019s not entirely of his own creation!<\/p>\n

True to form, our Max has been a drama magnet since his return. He turned up as an uninvited guest to daughter Lauren\u00a0(Jacqueline Jossa) and Peter Beale\u2019s\u00a0(Thomas Law) wedding<\/a>, learning of his secret daughter with Linda Carter\u00a0(Kellie Bright)<\/a>, spending Christmas day having a fight with brother Jack\u00a0(Scott Maslen) and having sex with Cindy Beale\u00a0(Michelle Collins) before putting the period at the end of the sentence by ruining grandson Jimmy\u2019s christening<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When his last remaining ally, Linda, tried to offer him some support, he attempted to throw the lips on her<\/a>, he was soundly rejected, leaving him completely alone, though their relationship has thawed in the passing months, with Linda truly believing that Max has the capacity to be a good man.<\/p>\n

Is it hope? Is it delusion? Probably both, in fairness.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Max
\n\t\tLinda sees something in Max (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n

Next week sees Max step up for Linda, when she becomes concerned that her son, Ollie (Harry Farr), is being bullied again at school. <\/p>\n

In order to give her some breathing space, Max offers to look after both Ollie and Annie (Lois Hawkins) and, while doing so, learns that his grandson, Louie Beale (Jake McNally), is behind Ollie\u2019s torment.<\/p>\n

He steps in and gives Louie a telling off, but stops short of telling Linda the truth behind what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Linda
\n\t\tLinda receives a horrible phone call (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n

Though both Max and Linda are clearly excited about their rekindling flame, one person certainly isn\u2019t: Linda\u2019s mum, Elaine Peacock<\/a>\u00a0(Harriet Thorpe<\/a>), who tells Max in no uncertain terms to stay away from her daughter.<\/p>\n

While Linda continues to open up to Max about her worry over Ollie, she\u2019s crestfallen to receive a call from the school, informing her that her son has been hit. Heading straight for Lauren and Peter, Max tears into them over their bullying son. <\/p>\n

\t\t\"Max
\n\t\tMax steps in on Ollie\u2019s behalf\u2026 (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Bea
\n\t\t\u2026but Bea\u2019s heard everything (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n

What he doesn\u2019t count on, though, is the pricked-up ears of slightly creepy newcomer Bea Pollard (Ronni Ancona)<\/a>, who\u2019s heard everything \u2013 including the part of the conversation where Max implores them not to tell Linda that he knows who\u2019s behind the bullying.<\/p>\n

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As a loyal Metro Soaps reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories. We have all the latest soaps news, spoilers, videos, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.<\/p>\n

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When Linda plants a kiss on Max later that night, the two wake up the next morning utterly overjoyed at the step-forward in their relationship.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Elaine
\n\t\tBea spills the tea (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n

Little do they know, though, that across the Square, Bea spills all of the tea to Elaine: the identity of Ollie\u2019s bully and that Max knew all about it.<\/p>\n

With Elaine now in possession of a nuclear bomb, it\u2019s a case of when and not if she drops it. <\/p>\n

Is Max and Linda\u2019s reunion doomed before it even got off the ground?<\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: EastEnders fans obsessed with \u2018unhinged\u2019 Bea and she may get worse<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: EastEnders \u2018rules out\u2019 major character as Max Branning\u2019s New Year bride<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Jake Wood celebrates son\u2019s 18th birthday \u2013 and the pair of them are absolute doubles<\/a><\/p>\n


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