Max steps up to protect Lauren as he returns to Walford in EastEnders

And Jasmine finally comes clean about her connection to the Fords.

 13-19 DECEMBER

As Lauren and Peter excitedly plan Jimmy’s New Year’s Day christening, Zoe, who is staying at No.25, steps in to help Lauren when Cindy and Kathy disagree over the plans.

When Oscar arrives home with Jasmine in tow, the family questions him on his judgment, and Ian takes matters into his own hands by calling the police. As Cindy flees, Jasmine is pulled in for questioning, where the truth about her identity and the connection to the Fords is revealed.

Things soon take a turn for the worse when Oscar calls time on his relationship with Jasmine as she continues to shut him out.

When a fire starts at No.25, Oscar rushes in to save Zoe as shocked onlookers watch on in horror. But the drama is far from over when a familiar face arrives as Max Branning is back!

As Kat reels from some unexpected news, she's horrified to discover that Zoe is trapped in a fire at No.25.

Meanwhile, worried about the missing charity money, Lauren lies about its whereabouts. When questioned by Peter, Ian reassures Lauren that he will sort it out. However, her worst fears are confirmed when Peter concludes the charity money has been stolen.

As Max anxiously waits by Oscar’s bedside, as he recovers from the fire, he grows suspicious of Ian and Lauren’s uncharacteristic closeness.

Later, Max shares his suspicions about Ian with Jack and makes a declaration in The Vic for all to hear. And following the dramatic events of the summer, Max and Zoe finally come face-to-face.

As all eyes turn on Lauren in The Vic, Max attempts to right his past parenting wrongs by stepping up in support of his daughter.

Meanwhile, as Jasmine tries to extend an olive branch to Oscar, she finds an unlikely friend who offers some words of advice.

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