Ian gets leverage over Max in EastEnders – but things soon go horribly wrong

Viewers know that Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and Max Branning (Jake Wood) shared a kiss when troubles led to her being tempted back to the booze and next week, the two find themselves locking lips once again when a dinner date with Mick (Danny Dyer) does not go the way that she hoped.

Only what they do not realise is that they are caught in the act by Ian who realises what he has seen could be the leverage he needs to get out of one of his many sticky situations.

Ian wastes no time in confronting Max and warns him that unless he backs off, the whole of Walford will hear about what he has been up to with a married woman. But this is Max Branning and he does not take to the blackmail as well as Ian had hoped- getting violent and issuing a threat of his own.

The week gets worse for Ian as more and more people start to turn on him including Tina (Luisa Bradshaw-White), and even his own family, including Kathy (Gillian Taylforth). The enemy list for Ian is larger than it has ever been and that all comes to a head when he is left lifeless on the floor in the Vic.

Who has attacked him, and are his injuries as serious as they look?

While Ian is away from the square, Adam will be swapping the screen for the stage as he takes on the lead role in Looking Good Dead. Starring as Tom Bryce in the adaptation of the Peter James novel, the show will (hopefully) launch in April 2021 and go on to tour the UK.

Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If you’re looking for more to watch check out our TV guide.