Jake Wood will continue playing Max Branning in ‘EastEnders’ for at least another year.
The 45-year-old actor was worried that he was going to get the chop from the long-running soap after his on-screen daughters Lorna Fitzgerald and Jacqueline Jossa (who played Abi and Lauren Branning respectively) were written out of the programme.
But he can now breathe a sigh of relief as bosses have told him that he’s not going anywhere as they have a lot more in store for his alter ego over the next 12 months.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, he said: "I know he’s central to the plans for the next year and we’ll see what happens. I think there’s always potential for that character, he’s a delight to play. I love playing him.
"I never know what he’s going to do next so I wait as excited as everyone else to see what he’s got planned. 2018 is going to be a year for the show."
Jake – who has played the bad boy businessman on and off since 2006 – has admitted that it’s been a turbulent year for the show but he’s convinced they are on the climb again following the return of the former executive producer John Yorke.
He explained: "I think the show’s in a really, really good place. I’m excited for the year ahead. I don’t know what they’ve got planned so we’ll have to wait and see.
"I think it’s been an up and down year admittedly for ‘EastEnders’ but we’re hitting a real peak at the moment and I think with John Yorke back in charge that will continue."
The 55-year-old producer was brought back in last year in a bid to boost ratings and bring the soap back to its famous roots after Sean O’Connor, who was sacked in the spring of 2016, took it in a different direction – sparking outrage among fans.
Since his return, John – who was executive producer on the soap from 2000 until 2002 and then again in 2005 – has brought back some famous faces, including Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) and Melanie Owen (Tamzin Outwaite).
Jake added: "There’s a real excitement around the studios with people coming back, storylines that they’ve got planned."
Jake Wood to remain on EastEnders for at least another year
