A special flashforward episode gives clues about what the future holds for Max in EastEnders

What will happen on New Year's Day 2027?

 20 DECEMBER - 2 JANUARY

Following the exposure of a secret, Max vents his frustrations among his family as Lauren and Jack try to damage control the situation.

Vowing to support him, Lauren and Jack believe they have talked Max out of acting irrationally, but their best intentions are scuppered when Max accepts advice from Zoe and decides to make a decision he may come to regret.

On Christmas Eve, Max’s actions make him an enemy amongst the Square, and he attempts to put things right with Oscar. Waylaid by Linda, Max attempts to resolve another one of his feuds, whilst Oscar drowns his sorrows alone before joining the rest of the family at the carol concert.

Feeling let down by his dad once again, and with too much Christmas spirit, Oscar makes a revelation to Max which threatens to derail the Brannings’ Christmas festivities.

On Christmas Day at No.45, Kathy and Harvey get into the festive spirit as the Brannings and the Beales prepare to eat Christmas dinner together.

Things get off to a tricky start when Cindy returns, and Ian and Peter spring into action to keep her away from Max. But they offend her in the process by telling her she’s not welcome.

As the dinner commences, it’s clear Max is still brewing over Oscar’s revelation, and it’s not long before chaos ensues when more than one truth sparks fireworks at the dinner table for all involved.

Later, police officers swarm the Square as Walford reacts to the fallout of an explosive Christmas Day. With shocking secrets exposed and more questions than answers, those caught up in the drama struggle to see a way forward.

And those affected by the shocking events of Christmas Day attempt to make sense of what has happened, but with things going from bad to worse, one family struggles to see a way forward.

With the events of Christmas looming over Walford, the Beales and the Brannings attempt to put on a brave face to celebrate Jimmy’s christening. But Lauren and Peter’s attention is consumed by the prospect of Cindy and Max meeting for the first time, and they make a mutual decision to uninvite Max due to his behaviour at Christmas, and to save any further drama at the church.

Later, Lauren has second thoughts when Max buys Jimmy a thoughtful gift, and he appears visibly upset at the prospect of not being involved.

Going against Peter's wishes, Lauren invites Max, but when news reaches Cindy, she refuses to go if Max will be in attendance. But she needn’t have worried, as it’s not long before Max finds himself uninvited once more when Jack drops a bombshell.

Ignoring Lauren’s warning, Max heads to the Church, but when Lauren and Peter think the day couldn’t get any worse, Max arrives, and the congregation reel as Max and Cindy cause a commotion in the church.

Meanwhile, as the fallout of Christmas Day continues, secrets continue to rise to the surface and in an attempt to help, one Walford resident makes a decision, which soon backfires and causes more trouble for those involved.

Back in the Square, Oscar attempts to give Max a pep talk to right his wrongs, but Max isn’t in the mood for any unsolicited advice and heads to Harry’s Barn to drown his sorrows.

At Harry’s Barn, another resident attempts to guide Max, but he snaps back and upsets them in the process. Having watched the entire sorry affair, Nicola delivers Max some home truths about his behaviour, and he heads out into the night in an attempt to right his wrongs.

Back at No.45, the Beales and Brannings settle in for post-Christening drinks, but it’s clear no one is in the celebratory mood.

On New Year's Eve, as the Square excitedly plan to ring in the New Year, Max, wanting to right his wrongs, asks Oscar for help to set up a secret meeting with Lauren in The Vic, which he reluctantly accepts. And Lauren fumes at her dad for his actions, and for using Oscar to get her to meet him.

After an eventful day, Max heads to Harry’s Barn and vows to fight for his family, but just what is in store for Max in the year 2026?

On New Year's Day, as 2026 dawns, a special flashforward episode, set in 2027, provides tantalising clues about what the future holds for Max as we find him and his family embroiled in drama on New Year’s Day 2027.

But just what has happened? All remains to be revealed over the next 12 months.

EastEnders continues Mondays to Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One with first look episodes available from 6am on BBC iPlayer