There’s a big shock in store…

EastEnders spoilers follow for Tuesday’s episode (30 September), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
EastEnders’ Peter Beale took a risk and surprised his fiancée Lauren Branning with a wedding this week – and the outcome has now been revealed. But there’s another twist ahead, with Max’s dramatic return…
To appear more spontaneous, Peter and his family secretly organised the nuptials in The Vic. But meanwhile, Penny gave her sister Lauren food for thought about whether Peter was the man for her at all.
Lauren arrived at the pub and got the shock of her life when Peter told her about the wedding plans – and in today’s episode, she felt pressure from her loved ones and agreed.
She headed home with a group of Walford ladies to get ready and put on a brave face, but it was clear that she didn’t feel fully happy.
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Lauren tried to run away but was stopped by a concerned Stacey, and she admitted that she didn’t know if she could go through with the wedding.
Back at the Slater house, Lauren talked things through with Stacey and explained her doubts about Peter, frustrated that she had scarpered from the celebrations and worried that love wasn’t enough for her.
But Stacey suggested she was confusing boredom for comfort, remembering her own love for Martin, and Lauren was left with a big decision to make.
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Thankfully she chose to get married and returned home to finally put her dress on, to the delight of their loved ones.
Lauren arrived at The Vic and met Peter at the end of the ‘aisle’, and the pair became husband and wife after some emotional vows – finally completing their family.
The blissfully happy couple celebrated in the pub as the wedding reception got underway. All the women queued up as Lauren prepared to throw the bouquet – and encouraged Stacey to join in and move forward with her life after Martin.
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But when the flowers were thrown, they were picked up off the floor by someone very unexpected – Lauren’s dad, Max.
How will the community react to his shocking return?
EastEnders airs on Mondays – Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.