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EastEnders star says Christmas episodes are best ever

High praise indeed

EastEnders star, Jake Wood, has heaped praise on the upcoming Christmas episodes of the BBC One soap, saying they’re the best he’s ever seen during his time on the show.

Read more: Is this the real reason Lauren and Abi are leaving EastEnders?

He was, of course, referring to the latest twist in his character, Max Branning’s, long-running storyline, which started way back in 2014 when Lucy Beale was murdered.

Jake admitted that viewers have been frustrated at how long it’s all taken to play out, but promised they will not be disappointed with the climax, hailing them the best in at least a decade.

Appearing on This Morning ahead of this evening’s episode which sees another of Max’s secrets revealed, Jake told Holly and Phil: “The next couple of weeks are amazing.

“I think the two episodes that go out on Christmas Day are the best episodes I’ve ever read in my time on the show and I’ve been there 12 years.

“They are incredible, honestly, just amazing.”

Jake also heaped praise on new boss, John Yorke, and returning scriptwriter, Simon Ashdown, calling them an “incredible storytelling team.”

The actor, who has had heaps of praise for his portrayal of broken Max, also confessed that he thinks his character is redeemable, even though he’s done some pretty terrible stuff – including causing the death of Steven Beale.

Jake said: “That was always the debate, whether Max can be redeemed. I’ve always felt he can be.

“I’ve always felt what he’s done is out of genuine feelings of being done wrong, but the things he’s done aren’t the best things.”

He continued: “He felt wronged by the community, he was left to rot in jail for 20 years, he thought that was his way forward.”

And Max isn’t even finished yet as Jake revealed his scheming character has saved the best ’til last and tries to kill Ian Beale and Phil Mitchell during next week’s episodes.

Blimey, he’s a brave man to take on Phil the Invincible.

Read more: Another shocking twist for Max Branning in tonight’s EastEnders

Max’s year-long plan to get revenge on all who had wronged him came to a head earlier this month when it was revealed that Willmott-Brown and his motley crew of kids had been double-crossing him the whole time.

He was publicly shamed in the Vic, dumped by Fi and then had his Weyland & Co contract torn up by Luke.

Since then Max has been keeping a low profile at his brother, Jack’s, but considering we know that he’s living with Stacey and Martin come Christmas, this brotherly union doesn’t look like it will last long.

EastEnders airs on Christmas Day at 9pm on BBC One.

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