EastEnders icon Jake Wood has confirmed he will officially be returning to the BBC soap as Max Branning, after four years away.

Following months of rumours, the actor has now broken his silence and said he “cannot wait to return home” later this autumn, as Max has “lots of unresolved drama with many characters”.

It will be the first time he has set foot in Walford since February 2021.

Jake, who first joined EastEnders in 2006, shared in a statement on Instagram to his 179k followers: “I’m over the moon to be coming home to Walford.

“Max has got lots of unresolved drama with many characters, so I’m sure he’ll be busy.

“I’m excited to see what he’s been up to, and what is next for the character, but if his last 15 years in The Square are anything to go by, I’m sure there will be plenty of chaos.”

EastEnders said in a post on social media: “Max left Walford back in 2021 when his affair with Linda Carter ended after she revealed her true feelings for husband Mick, and his subsequent meddling resulted in brother Jack Branning’s suspension from his job with the police.

“With daughter Lauren expected to marry into the Beale’s, tearaway teenage son Oscar back in Walford, Stacey Slater widowed, and a secret........

© South Wales Argus