![\"Max](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SEI_274923912-6606.jpg\")
\n\t\tMax Branning is set to get married on New Year\u2019s Day \u2013 but to who? (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tMax Branning is set to get married on New Year\u2019s Day \u2013 but to who? (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been just over a month since EastEnders <\/a>fans witnessed Max Branning<\/a> (Jake Wood<\/a>) preparing to wed a mystery bride in a special flashforward episode<\/a> of the BBC One soap. <\/p>\n The events of the unique offering take place on New Year\u2019s Day 2027 and posed questions aplenty<\/a>, with various mysteries<\/a> and twists that are sure to keep viewers guessing for the rest of the year. <\/p>\n With mysterious newcomers, shock hostage situations a new baby and another on the way, it\u2019s safe to say that speculation is rife among fans, though the biggest question of all is who is Max\u2019s new bride-to-be<\/a>. <\/p>\n Linda Carter<\/a> (Kellie Bright<\/a>), Cindy Beale<\/a> (Michelle Collins<\/a>), Chelsea Fox<\/a> (Zaraah Abrahams<\/a>) and Denise Fox<\/a> (Diane Parish<\/a>) were showcased as potentials to walk down the aisle, with the legendary Walford women getting ready for some big event on January 1 next year.<\/p>\n But back in the present, Max isn\u2019t in currently a relationship nor does he have a romantic story of any kind so it\u2019s likely that it will be quite some time before we get any sort of confirmation regarding who the legendary lothario\u2019s intended could be.<\/p>\n There have been one or two scenes, however, where he\u2019s got particularly close to ex Linda \u2013 and he even attempted to kiss her on one occasion, much to her chagrin. <\/p>\n You might think this makes Linda the likely suspect to be walking down the aisle come New Year\u2019s Day, but there is one pretty big reason why it simply cannot be her.<\/p>\n \t\t The wedding is set to take place on New Year\u2019s Day, which is a very special day for the Carter matriarch. It was this very day that she married one true love Mick<\/a> (Danny Dyer<\/a>) all the way back in 2016.<\/p>\n The day in question was a very special one for her, as she got to say \u2018I do\u2019 to her soulmate before embarking on a new chapter of their lives together.<\/p>\n Given that Mick, who tragically vanished at sea four years ago and is presumed dead, was her absolute everything, it\u2019s somewhat unlikely that L would tie the knot with anyone on the anniversary of their wedding, let alone doing so with Max.<\/p>\n \t\t As fans will recall, Linda controversially cheated on Mick with Max<\/a> back in 2020. The former Queen Vic landlady had come to believe that Mick was pulling away from her at the time, completely unaware that he had just discovered he\u2019d been abused when he was 12 years old.<\/p>\n Linda was horrified to realise she\u2019d almost made the biggest mistake of her life<\/a> by leaving him for Max and thus put an end to her affair, choosing to stay with Mick. <\/p>\n \t\t\t\tDon’t miss a Soaps scoop! Add us as a Preferred Source\t\t\t<\/p>\n 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 Click here<\/a> and tick\u00a0Metro.co.uk\u00a0to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.<\/p>\n \t\t Max subsequently made a number of plays to win Linda\u2019s affection and even claimed to be in love with her, much to Linda\u2019s shock, but the pub landlady was adamant that Mick was the man she wanted, which prompted Max to leave the Square for four years. <\/p>\n \t\t Following his exit, Linda gave birth to his daughter Annie and, despite her initial hesitation to inform him he had another child, the duo agreed to co-parent upon his return. <\/p>\n Thus far, nothing romantic has ensued between the two, though Linda has often been Max\u2019s only source of support, with his family consistently turning their backs on him over his lack of followthrough to be there when they need him. <\/p>\n As for whether passion will ensue, we\u2019ll just have to wait and see but given just how much Linda still misses her beloved Mick \u2013 and holds their iconic New Year wedding day in her heart \u2013 it\u2019s hard to picture a reality where she would marry Max on their anniversary. <\/p>\n EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on\u00a0BBC\u00a0One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.<\/strong><\/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.<\/strong><\/p>\n Join the community by leaving a comment below and\u00a0stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Linda](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/linda-sat-on-a-bench-and-max-in-a-hotel-room-in-eastenders-e1768324494257.png\")
\n\t\tMax\u2019s ex Linda cannot be his bride-to-be (Picture: BBC)<\/p>\n![\"Television](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PRI_150543662-789a.jpg\")
\n\t\tLinda previously married one true love Mick on New Year\u2019s Day (Picture: BBC \/ Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n![\"Soaps](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1770054495_2_SEI_278522320-46a3.jpg\")
\n\t\tNow you can ensure you never miss a story from the Soaps team<\/p>\n![\"TX](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SEI_279940480-a01c.jpg\")
\n\t\tIf not Linda, who is Max set to marry? (Picture: BBC\/Jack Barns\/Kieron McCarron)<\/p>\n
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