Cheating love rat Max has his eye on Linda yet again in EastEnders | Soaps

Could history be about to repeat itself for Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright)?

EastEnders spoilers for next week suggest there could still be unfinished business between the former lovers as Max once again finds himself drawn to Linda.

The serial cheat has left a trail of broken hearts across Walford over the years, but his complicated relationship with Linda remains one of the most memorable. Their affair rocked Albert Square back in 2020 when Linda was still married to Mick Carter, with the pair embarking on a secret romance that eventually resulted in the birth of baby Annie.

At the time, Max believed he had finally found happiness with Linda and even planned a future with her. However, Linda ultimately chose to reunite with Mick, leaving Max heartbroken before he later departed Walford.

Fast forward to 2026, and it seems old feelings may still be lingering beneath the surface.

Next week, Linda throws herself into organising a Salsa class at the community centre. Keen to make the event a success, Max gets involved and encourages local residents to attend.

While his efforts appear innocent enough on the surface, fans may be wondering whether Max’s enthusiasm has more to do with Linda than his desire to support the community.

Things don’t exactly go to plan when the class is disrupted by a drunken visitor, threatening to ruin the event. Fortunately, Callum Highway steps in to help diffuse the situation and get things back on track.

After the drama settles down, Linda and Max are left alone together and finally get the chance to address some of the painful history between them.

The pair share a significant moment as they talk through old wounds and unresolved feelings that have been hanging over them for years.

Given everything they’ve been through together, it’s no surprise that emotions are running high. After all, Max was once convinced Linda was the love of his life, while Linda spent years wrestling with the consequences of their affair and the impact it had on her marriage and family.

Whether their conversation brings closure or sparks something new remains to be seen.

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Just as the pair begin opening up to one another, however, they’re interrupted by none other than Cindy Beale.

Never one to miss an opportunity to cause chaos, Cindy swoops in and whisks Max away to The Vic before he and Linda can continue their heart-to-heart.

The interruption leaves plenty of questions hanging in the air. Have Linda and Max finally put the past behind them, or could this be the start of a new chapter for the former couple?

With Max’s history of cheating and complicated romances, viewers know better than to expect a straightforward outcome. And with Linda trying to move forward after some incredibly difficult years, getting pulled back into Max’s messy orbit could be the last thing she needs.

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