Jake Wood is to take a 12-month break from ‘EastEnders’.
The 42-year-old actor, who stars as Max Branning in the BBC soap, is taking a break from the show to pursue other projects, but has already agreed a big-money deal to return to Albert Square in 12 months’ time.
The London-born star said: "I’ve been at ‘EastEnders’ for nine years and I feel the time is right to give Max a break.
"But it won’t be for too long as I shall be back to see Max face another chapter of drama."
Jake’s on-screen character has been at the centre of some of the soap’s biggest storylines over the last decade, including his dramatic affair with Stacey Slater, but ‘EastEnders’ bosses are remaining tight-lipped about how Max will exit the show.
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, the programme’s Executive Producer, said: "Jake and I agreed that we would give both him and Max a break when the opportunity arose.
"That has now come and it is the perfect time to send Max Branning out with a bang that will send ripples through the Square for the rest of the year until Jake returns."
Jake Wood quits EastEnders
