EastEnders fans fume as soap ‘quietly’ changes name of iconic character
EastEnders fans were left ‘fuming’ last night when the noticed the BBC soap had changed the name of one iconic character – as they beg them to change it back
Eagle-eyed EastEnders fans were left fuming at the end of yesterday’s episode, as they noticed a huge name change to one iconic character.
Article continues below
Last night, fans watched on in shock as Max Branning (Jake Wood) made his epic return at the end of his daughter Lauren Branning’s wedding to Peter Beale. The wedding came as a shock to Lauren, with Peter sneakily setting up in the Vic, even buying her her dream wedding dress.
Although Lauren said yes initially, she started to have second thoughts, and attempted to run off, before a heart to heart with Stacey Slater made her change her mind.
Lauren then headed off to the Vic to celebrate, and for once, in a soap wedding, everything ran smoothly, until it didn’t.
As Lauren went to toss the bouquet towards the single ladies of Walford, the Square got their shock of their lives when Max Branning walked in and picked it up off the floor. “Must be my lucky day,” he exclaimed.
The residents and fans were left speechless, when the soap ended on an epic cliffhanger. However, those who stayed around noticed one huge change. After tying the knot with Peter, Lauren’s name had gone from Lauren Branning to Lauren Beale, leaving some fans unhappy.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan said: “rah what the f**k is this it better be temporary!” while a second said: “I hate that soaps always insist on this. In 2025 it really isn’t that common but soaps always do it!”
Article continues below
“I’m really not liking this – Lauren’s character is being brought down by Peter. The couple are so unsuited in my honest opinion,” said a third, while a fourth fumed: “Could have least made her a Branning-Beale!”
Lauren wasn’t the only one who became a Beale last night. Before the wedding, Kathy revealed she had officially changed her name back to Beale from Cotton.
Tonight, the Square will be left reeling from Max’s shock arrival, and things are set to get dramatic. Spoilers reveal that Kat tries to warn Max away from Zoe when he spots the pair talking. Of course, no one in the Square is aware of the pair’s relationship – will all be revealed?