Walford lothario Max Branning has confirmed his future in Albert Square, sparking talk of a ‘missing character’

EastEnders icon Max Branning (Jake Wood) has appeared to make a permanent return to Walford, but his granddaughter has failed to arrive with him, despite being thought to be in his care.

During Wednesday’s visit to the East End (December 17), Max waited by his son Oscar’s (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) hospital bed after he bravely rushed into a burning No. 25 to save Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan).

Max instantly confirmed his desire to repair relations with his children, but he couldn’t shake an anxious feeling that his daughter, Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa), was hiding something from him.

She was uncharacteristically friendly with her father-in-law, Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), who seemed to be leaping to her defence whenever questions about a sum of missing charity money were mentioned.

While speaking to Oscar, Max mentioned his granddaughter, Abi Junior, also known as AJ, as he addressed her absence.

Max confirmed, “I was going to bring AJ, but you know she is staying with Tanya just while I’m here”, as he glanced sheepishly over at Lauren.

After leaving the hospital, Max bumped into former lover Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), who was visibly shaken by his return. They haven’t seen each other in five years, and he’s yet to discover that he fathered her daughter, Annie, before his departure.

As Max came face-to-face with his daughter Annie, he compared her to Abi Junior, “She reminds me of AJ, they grow up too fast, don’t they?” he casually said, leaving Linda mortified.

Linda agreed to a drink with Max as they subtly brushed over the past. He was hopeful of staying in Walford to build bridges with those around him, with Oscar’s near-death experience being a terrifying wake-up call.

He told Linda, “I want to bring AJ back here”, before asking her for a room at the Peacock Palace, and she agreed.

Later in the episode, Max had a showdown with Lauren, where the whereabouts of Aj were once again addressed.

Max told his daughter: “I’m back now, I’m going to be there for all of you”, before she swiftly replied: “Like you have been there for AJ?”

She added: “I know she ain’t been living with you dad, because unlike you, I actually speak to mum. So you can drop all of this redemption arc stuff. “

Who is AJ in EastEnders

Abi Branning Jr is the daughter of Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) and Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell) in EastEnders. She was born prematurely on December 29, 2017, and named by her granddad, Max.

AJ was conceived when her mum, Abi, had an affair with Steven, who her big sister Lauren was in a relationship with at the time.

Steven wanted to stay with Lauren and was worried he was losing her to Josh Hemmings (Eddie Eyre), so he and Abi pretended he had a brain tumour so Lauren wouldn’t leave him.

Abi and Steven grew closer as they schemed against Lauren and ultimately developed a relationship behind her back. Abi fell pregnant but didn’t tell Steven until he was dying in the hospital.

Steven passed away in September 2017, after being pushed violently into a counter by Max. He suffered internal bleeding as a result and passed away in the hospital.

Pregnant Abi was later declared brain dead after falling from the Queen Vic roof on Christmas Day 2017, but AJ survived and was delivered by C-section.

Abi was on the roof trying to coax down Max, who was planning to take his own life. Her sister Lauren also fell, but she survived.

When Abi’s baby was born, Max promised that he would take care of her and make things right after making so many mistakes with his daughters. AJ is technically an orphan since both her parents have passed away.

Away from the Square, AJ was thought to be living with Max; however, it now appears she lives with her grandmother, Tanya Branning (Jo Joyner). Will they make a return?