EastEnders fans left swooning as Jake Wood shows off ripped physique in topless snap
EastEnders Max Branning star Jake Wood has left his fans swooning after he shared a topless snap of himself on his Instagram account.
EastEnders legend Jake Wood has set pulses racing with his latest post on social media.
The 52-year-old star, famed for his portrayal of Max Branning in the BBC One soap from 2006 to 2021, took to Instagram to share a shirtless photo flaunting his toned body, captioned with “age ain’t nothin’ but a number baby”.
Fans were quick to flood the comments section under the snap with messages for the actor.
One admirer exclaimed: “I think I’ve had a crush on you since the days of one foot in the grave/OFAH. No more thirst traps!”.
Another chimed in: “Is is me or is it getting hot in here?”, reports OK!. A third fan urged: “Stop doing sit ups and get back in Eastenders.” Yet another commented: “Suns out guns out.”
This buzz comes amidst reports that Jake is poised for a comeback to EastEnders as the notorious charmer Max Branning.
His character was last seen in Albert Square four years ago, and showrunners are keen for his return to shake up the current narratives.
An insider revealed to The Sun: “Jake’s return is huge news for EastEnders fans as his character made a massive mark on the show.”
They added: “It’ll raise some eyebrows after he was absent from the 40th anniversary earlier this year.
“Bosses are excited about what his character’s reappearance means for spicing up the plots.
“There is plenty to go at. Max has loads of unfinished business in the Square and is set to ruffle some feathers.”
Max, the notorious charmer, enticed a total of 15 women into his bed, had four marriages and 10 affairs on EastEnders – famously with his son Bradley’s partner Stacey Slater – before he left Albert Square to start anew in New Zealand.
Jake has openly discussed his life post-Exit from EastEnders: “I don’t miss the schedules. “Anyone will tell you how hard they are and sort of all-consuming but obviously I miss a lot of the people.
“When you’re at the centre of a big storyline like EastEnders Christmas, something like that, it’s a real thrill as an actor to be a part of that, big storylines, big characters.”