EASTENDERS fans are convinced Max Branning will make a dramatic return to Albert Square – just in time for his daughter Lauren to give birth.

Speculation has been mounting ever since executive producer Kate Oates teased a major comeback while speaking with The Sun.

She told us: “If you like a return, I don’t think you’re going to be disappointed, because there’s potentially one on the cards… There are some really big stories coming up and if it’s a return you’re after, then you might be interested in what’s on the horizon.”

Naturally, fans have been poring over every word – and many believe the timing lines up perfectly for Max.

Ben Mitchell’s name has also been thrown into the mix, but not all viewers are keen to see him again.

On Reddit, one theory quickly gained traction.

A poster speculated: “Kate saying potentially seems like it’s not 100% certain yet but Max or Ben seem likely, Kate has always been a massive fan of Ben’s.”

A second disgruntled fan wrote: “I’m tired of Ben, please give us a Ben break. He comes back and then goes to prison, then just keeps doing it. Can’t they do something else with his character? He comes back, ‘dad doesn’t love me’, ‘look dad I’m a hardened criminal like you’, ‘I’m gay btw’, ‘oh no I messed up’.”

While Ben might be a divisive choice, others are more open to the idea of another familiar face resurfacing.

Another viewer offered: “I’d be open to Max, he does different stories at least,” referencing Max Branning’s long and complex history on the soap.

There’s also chatter about which characters would deliver the biggest impact.

As one comment read: “I think Shirley, Max and Mick are the ones that would excite most.”

But the idea of Shirley Carter returning raised questions about continuity, especially her messy past with Dean Wicks.

“Shirley, I don’t understand the story or how they explain the reconciliation with Dean,” someone noted.

Mick Carter’s name also came up, though not everyone is ready to see him again.

A separate fan admitted: “Mick, I still think is too early and believe the show is better without him.”

Max, however, remains high on many wishlists, especially with his daughter Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) and baby Annie in the current picture.

One user explained: “Max would be most interesting with Annie considered and also an Oscar Branning return, but think there’s enough characters of that age. If it is the case then hope they find a way to make him not the most recent dark?? Max we saw.”

Some viewers are even holding out hope for wilder picks.

A nostalgic fan chimed in: “Would love an Aunt Babe as a villain, but again think the time for that has passed.”

And for lovers of classic drama, a reunion of two former flames seems both exciting and exhausting.

As one Redditor pleaded: “Max and/or Tanya please. Either or both would make sense, because of Lauren and the baby…but we don’t need them together on screen again. The last time and when Abi died, there was no chemistry left between them and I can’t be doing with another doomed reconciliation.”

Max Branning, played by Jake Wood, starred in EastEnders’ top storylines from 2006 to 2021.

Ben Mitchell, meanwhile, was played by Max Bowden from 2019 until 2024.

The role has previously been taken by Matthew Silver, Morgan Whittle, Charlie Jones, Joshua Pascoe and Harry Reid.

Speaking backstage to The Sun and other media at yesterday’s TV BAFTAs, producer Kate teased that there’s a major return on the cards that will leave fans delighted.

She said: “If you like a return, I don’t think you’re going to be disappointed, because there’s potentially one on the cards.

“I think that we can tease that they’re all those heartland characters have some really big stuff coming up.

“Actually, we’ve got some uncharted territory, which, considering we’re following on the heels of Mr. Clanshaw, is quite an accolade, because he has broken quite a lot of fresh ground.

“So I think the challenge for Ben [Wadey], who is our new exec, has been to carry on kind of after Chris’ success, really, but he is very much ready to do that, and we’re excited as a team.

“We’re going to miss Chris terribly, but we’re also really excited for what’s to come so there are some really, really big stories coming up, and if it’s a return that you’re after, then, yeah, you might be interested in what’s to what’s on the horizon.”

Paying tribute to EastEnders’ double success this month, she added: “It’s a big month for us, actually, because EastEnders won the craft BAFTA special award a couple of weeks ago, which is a recognition of what’s soaps does for the industry.

And what EastEnders in particular does for the industry. So yeah, for this to be today as well, it’s just what a month we’ve had an incredible time.

“I mean, it’s been incredible. Chris has been leading the show for the last last few years, and through him and the team, we’ve broken kind of boundaries with the genre.

“Told stories in different ways, but it’s always been really character. It’s been really true to DNA at the show. So So yeah, thank you, Chris for everything that you’ve done for us. And yeah, we’re thrilled.”

And former boss Chris Clenshaw added: “It feels surreal. I can’t lie, it feels phenomenal. I’m really incredibly proud of the entire team.

“It’s a huge, huge team back at Elstree. You know, I think we all know how much it takes to put into a soap so kind of congratulations to Coronation Street and Casualty too.

“But I think to take these awards back to Elstree and share this with the wider team, feels amazing.”