Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) may have only just made a temporary EastEnders departure, but there’s guaranteed drama ahead upon her return.

After the former pub landlady handed over the keys to her beloved Queen Vic to Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace), she decided to head on a cruise with her children ahead of a fresh start.

After a morning of reflection, she knew that the bad times in the boozer outweighed the good times, and it was the right decision to move on.

However, before she could put her troubles to one side, she had to address a looming threat that had just arrived in Albert Square – Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier)!

He had no idea that he had another sibling living in the area, as his dad Max (Jake Wood) had fathered Linda’s youngest daughter Annie in 2021.

And it’s not just Oscar who was unaware, as Max has been kept in the dark every since she was the born.

Linda knew that she’d have to tell Oscar eventually, and squirmed when he said he would take great joy in watching his dad’s face drop. Luckily, after some tough words from his sister Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa), he agreed to keep quiet.

Jake’s return as the notorious womaniser was officially confirmed earlier this month, with Executive Producer Ben Wadey teasing: ‘Whilst his character has only been away from Albert Square for four years, Walford, and the lives of those who live in it, have changed immensely

‘Max has a lot of unfinished business, but whether he is welcomed by his family remains to be seen.

‘However, with a past as checkered as Max’s, it’s fair to say that many Walford residents will not be pleased to see him, putting the Brannings back at the heart of the Square, and the drama, this year.’

Max’s whereabouts are largely unknown. It’s been explicitly stated on a number of occasions that both Oscar and Laurenhave been estranged from him for quite some time.

He initially departed for New Zealand, and the last we heard of Max, brother Jack (Scott Maslen) had visited him in France. He then fled to Croatia with granddaughter Abi Jr.

We’re not privy to the stop offs on Linda’s cruise, but it’s entirely plausible that she may have a run-in with a face from her past while sailing the seas.

Could Max be enjoying a holiday with Abi Jr, when she makes an unexpected friend – Annie – in the kids club?

Imagine the reaction if Linda came back to Walford with Max on her arm!

Of course, there’s always the chance that he might come back prior to her return, and her whereabouts are kept a closely guarded secret. We do know that Jake has reprised the role briefly, before a permanent stint later in the year.

Whatever the outcome, it’s bound to be dramatic. This is Walford after all.