EastEnders spoilers follow for Friday’s episode (19 December), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
EastEnders has finally revealed Linda Carter’s shocking secret, as she drops a huge bombshell on Max Branning after four years. Max’s return to Walford sent Linda spiralling, as he doesn’t know that he is the biological father of her daughter Annie.
Max created huge drama in The Vic this week, accusing Ian of stealing the charity money, which forced Lauren to admit that she was responsible for the theft.
In Friday’s episode (which is available to watch on BBC iPlayer early), the packed pub reacted to Lauren’s revelation as she explained that she’d been scammed, with Peter and Max particularly disappointed by her actions.
As furious Peter stormed out, Max defended his daughter in front of everyone and promised that he would pay the money back himself – but Lauren was frustrated that his outburst had forced her to reveal the truth.
Photographer://BBC
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Back at home, Peter made his feelings clear and told Lauren that if she loved him, she would have confided in him about the stolen money. He suggested that they shouldn’t be together anymore before walking out.
Max comforted Lauren in the café as she contemplated the end of her marriage, and he reassured her that she is in fact a good mum.
Ian and Max then found Peter drowning his sorrows, so they joined forces to encourage him not to give up on Lauren, who will always blame herself for Jimmy’s condition.
BBC
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As a result, Peter made peace with Lauren and vowed that they were better as a team – even presenting her with matching Christmas jumpers for their whole family.
Meanwhile, Linda sought advice from Elaine about telling Max that he is Annie’s dad, with his actions in the pub making her think that Max might have turned over a new leaf.
That evening, Lauren bumped into Linda in the Square and promised her that she, Jack and Oscar have agreed that they aren’t going to tell Max about Annie.
BBC
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But Lauren suggested that Linda should think about telling Max himself, also believing that he was trying to right some wrongs. She reminded Linda that Max had lost Abi and Bradley and deserved another chance to be a parent.
Lauren’s words hit home for Linda, so when Max returned to Peacock Palace later, she decided to have the conversation that she has avoided for years.
“You’ve got three kids, Max,” Linda blurted out, as Max was stopped in his tracks. “Annie’s your daughter.”
How will Max react to discovering that he has another child?
EastEnders airs on Mondays – Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
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