Big changes are shaking up Walford, and the latest EastEnders spoilers hint at a whirlwind of emotional exits, shocking returns, and dramatic confessions that will keep fans glued to their screens. The spotlight now shines on Stacey Slater as her departure storyline collides with the dramatic comeback of Max Branning—a return that could completely alter the course of her life and finally push her to say goodbye to Albert Square.

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Lacey Turner, who has embodied Stacey Slater for nearly two decades, would once again be leaving the soap. Fans immediately began speculating on how the show would write out such a pivotal character. The latest episodes have now given viewers their first real clues—and it all ties directly to the return of Max Branning, played by Jake Wood.

Max’s reappearance comes after years away from Walford, and true to form, he brings a storm of drama with him. In a gripping flashback, viewers learned that Max had reignited an old flame with Stacey’s cousin, Zoe Slater. Their relationship was rocky from the start, and things quickly fell apart when Max suspected Zoe of stealing £5,000 after a violent encounter with a private investigator. Though Zoe walked away, Max had ominously warned her in hospital—while she was recovering from a gunshot wound—that he would one day come back to Walford. That promise came true in a recent Tuesday episode, and the ripples are already being felt across the Square.

Meanwhile, the Beale family has been at the center of the latest drama. Lauren Branning, Max’s daughter, was blindsided when her partner Peter Beale proposed they marry immediately inside the Queen Vic. At first, Lauren tried to put on a brave face, but doubt quickly overcame her, and she fled the pub in a panic. Her escape, however, was cut short by none other than Stacey Slater. In a raw, emotional conversation, Stacey opened up about her regrets—especially how she had taken the late Martin Fowler for granted. Her heartfelt words gave Lauren the courage she needed to return to Peter and go through with the ceremony.

The pub fell silent as Lauren and Peter exchanged vows before their stunned family and friends. But, as always in true soap fashion, the drama didn’t stop there. When Lauren tossed her bouquet, it landed not in the hands of her bridesmaids, but in those of her father, Max Branning—making his return to Albert Square in the most jaw-dropping way possible. As the iconic duff duff closed in on Stacey’s shocked expression, it became clear that Max’s comeback is far more than a nostalgic twist. It may be the very storyline that drives Stacey away from Walford and into her next chapter.

Spoilers now confirm that Stacey will relocate to Brazil to join her brother Sean Slater, who has started a new life running a restaurant there. While on the surface this exit may look like Stacey finally following her instincts for a fresh start, many fans believe Max’s presence will be the true catalyst for her decision. Stacey’s past with Max is long and complicated, and his ability to disrupt her life is undeniable. For many, it seems inevitable that his return will stir up memories and emotions Stacey would rather leave behind, making her exit bittersweet yet believable.

But Stacey isn’t the only Walford resident dealing with emotional turmoil. Over in the Carter household, Johnny Carter has been caught in a devastating moral dilemma. Viewers learned that Johnny had lied to his secret partner, Callum Highway, about his father’s dying words. In heartbreaking scenes, Jonno Highway—Callum’s estranged father and a lifelong alcoholic—died in Johnny’s arms. With his final breath, Jonno confessed he was still ashamed of Callum for being gay. Rather than reveal the cruelty of Jonno’s true words, Johnny chose to tell Callum that his father had expressed pride in him.

This lie has weighed heavily on Johnny, who wrestled with guilt even as his grandmother, Elaine Peacock, reassured him that comforting someone in their grief isn’t wrong. In a powerful confrontation, Johnny finally confessed the truth. The revelation crushed Callum, who admitted he had clung to a fantasy of his father’s love even when deep down he knew it would never come. Johnny tried desperately to reassure him, insisting that his actions came from love, though he couldn’t quite bring himself to say the word aloud.

Elaine, who had overheard the confrontation, later comforted Callum in the café. She reminded him that Johnny had only wanted to protect him from pain, and that kind of selfless act could only come from love. “Don’t throw love away too quickly, even when it hurts,” Elaine advised. These words struck a chord, leading Callum to reconcile with Johnny at the Albert. With a tender gesture, Callum admitted he had finally found someone who wanted him to shine—and he wasn’t about to let that go.

Just when it seemed Johnny and Callum’s relationship was finding its footing, a new complication emerged: Callum is still legally married to Ben Mitchell. And with Ben due back in Walford next week for Jonno’s funeral, it’s only a matter of time before secrets explode into the open. Will Ben uncover Callum and Johnny’s romance? Or will Callum be forced to make an impossible choice between his past and his present?

Meanwhile, the Beale-Branning wedding saga has stirred its own controversies. Fans took to social media to vent their frustrations about what they described as a “personality shift” in Lauren following her impulsive decision to marry Peter. Many viewers felt sick watching her rush into a marriage that seemed doomed from the start, especially given the rocky history between the pair. Their earlier broken engagement, Peter’s harsh accusations about Lauren’s struggles with addiction, and his family’s relentless disapproval all continue to hang over their relationship.

Even as Lauren adopted the Beale surname in a bid to cement her place within the family, doubts lingered. Online discussions lit up with speculation about whether the marriage can survive the constant interference from Peter’s mother, Cindy Beale, and whether Peter’s growing friendship with Demi—another single parent in Walford—could become a wedge between the newlyweds.

But the real bombshell is Max’s return. Not only does it shake Lauren’s world, but it also puts Stacey directly in his orbit at a time when she is already questioning her future in Walford. Could Max’s presence dredge up too many painful memories, leaving Stacey with no choice but to leave? Or will his return give her the clarity she needs to start over elsewhere?

With Stacey’s exit storyline confirmed, fans won’t have to wait long for answers. What remains to be seen is whether her departure will be clean and final, or whether Max’s shadow will loom over her even as she starts a new life in Brazil. Either way, Walford is bracing for a major shake-up as one of its most iconic characters says goodbye—just as another returns to stir the pot once more.

One thing is certain: as Stacey Slater bids farewell and Max Branning reclaims his place on the Square, EastEnders is preparing fans for an autumn packed with explosive drama, emotional goodbyes, and the kind of twists only Walford can deliver.