EastEnders fans bid a sad farewell to Max Branning on Friday night as the character left Walford for good.
Max turned his back on Albert Square after realising there was nothing left for him there and in a heartbreaking moment, he left behind his granddaughter Abi after realising she’d be better off being raised by Rainie and Stuart.
Following his exit after 15 years on the soap, Jacqueline Jossa paid a touching tribute to her onscreen dad Jake Wood with a plethora of throwback snaps as she gushed: ‘You are a legend.’
Goodbye Max: EastEnders fans bid a sad farewell to Max Branning on Friday night as the character left Walford for good
Walford bad boy decided to bid farewell after his one-time love Linda Carter once again rejected him and declared that she doesn’t love him, despite him getting the Queen Vic back for her.
And in another blow, his brother Jack gave him some harsh home truths, with Max then deciding to disappear with beloved granddaughter Abi.
But after his car failed to start, he then made to walk to the Tube station with the little one in tow.
Tribute: Following his exit after 15 years on the soap, Jacqueline Jossa paid a touching tribute to her onscreen dad Jake Wood with a plethora of throwback snaps as she gushed: ‘You are a legend’
The duo then bumped into his former love Stacy Slater, with Max saying a cryptic goodbye.
However, he then noticed little Abi looking up at her great-aunt Rainie’s window and in that moment he chose to leave the tot on her doorstep, deciding that Abi would have a better life with Rainie and husband Stuart.
After leaving Abi on Rainie’s doorstep, a tearful Max then grabbed his bags and made his way to the tube station as EastEnders’ heart wrenching Julia’s theme played in the background.
Following the emotional scenes, actress Jacqueline Jossa, who played Lauren Branning, shared a touching message in honour of actor Jake Wood, who plays Max.
Time to go: Max turned his back on Albert Square after realising there was nothing left for him there and in a heartbreaking moment, he left behind his granddaughter Abi
The TV star shared a plethora of throwback snaps of the pair, including them in character, at an award’s ceremony and with onscreen sister Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald).
She penned: ‘To the only other guy I call dad. Thank you for everything. I learnt all I know from you and had the best time playing your daughter. Goodbye for now max..♥️
‘I cannot wait to see what is in store for you next, and hope one day we will work together again.
‘You are a legend @mrjakewood ♥️.’
Like father like daughter: Following the emotional scenes, actress Jacqueline Jossa, who played Lauren Branning, shared a touching message in honour of actor Jake Wood, who plays Max
TV family: The TV star shared a plethora of throwback snaps of the pair, including them in character, at an award’s ceremony and with onscreen sister Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald)
Throwback: Jacqueline shared several snaps of herself and Jake together over the years
Replying to her post, Jake wrote: ‘Love ya Jac fake daughter ❤️ as your fake dad can I just say I’m so proud of the young woman you have become❤️.’
Actor Jake filmed his filmed his final scenes in December and said a heartfelt goodbye to Max Branning as he shot his final scenes.
Jake, who played Max for 15 years, took to his Instagram to share a farewell video as he walked around the famous BBC set.
Sweet: She penned: ‘To the only other guy I call dad. Thank you for everything. I learnt all I know from you and had the best time playing your daughter. Goodbye for now max..♥️’
‘Fake dad’: Replying to her post, Jake wrote: ‘Love ya Jac fake daughter ❤️ as your fake dad can I just say I’m so proud of the young woman you have become❤️’
He said ‘That’s a wrap’ as he thanked fans for their support as his time portraying the Albert Square businessman came to an end.
He added: ‘I’ll miss the place, it’s the people for me, I made some amazing friends and it’s been an incredible life changing experiences.
‘Thank you all for your messages of love and support, I have really appreciated all of that, who knows what the future brings? I just wanted to say goodbye to Max Branning and share this with you all.’
Done and dusted: Last month, Jake said ‘That’s a wrap’ as he thanked fans for their support as his time portraying the Albert Square bad boy came to an end