EastEnders fans 'rumble' Max's link to Zoe - and he's not the father of her baby

Max Branning's mystery link to Zoe Slater on EastEnders may have been rumbled by fans.

Viewers are convinced they know why Max would have been calling Zoeduring a special episode on Wednesday. It ended with the bombshell that Max was calling Zoe's phone, confirming a connection.

Given Zoe and Max were never onscreen together it certainly left fans confused. Zoe had just been shot by accident by Jack Branning and Ravi Gulati in a showdown between the enemies.

As Zoe deteriorated she began to hint at her secrets and why she was running away. Flashbacks to 2006 confirmed that after leaving Walford, Zoe gave birth to twins.

It was sadly suggested one of the babies died, while the little boy was put up for adoption. But that wasn't all as we found out Max, who appeared emotional, was trying to contact Zoe.

READ MORE: Who is Zoe's son? EastEnders' Joel 'not secret child' as fans 'work out' twist

READ MORE: EastEnders fans 'know' who father of Zoe's babies is - and it's not Max

Taking to X one fan predicted: "Zoe teamed up with Max and conned Jean Slater. This will cause Stacey to leave for a fresh start." But other thought it was linked to Max being owed money, or some dangerous plot.

One theory said: "My theory is Max has become a big drug lord in London and is playing a part in the ongoing drugs storyline in Walford, and Zoe has been getting drugs from him and owes him a lot." Another fan said: "I think the father of Zoe's kids could be Anthony Trueman and Max has got Zoe involved in all the drugs stuff.

"It may be revealed tomorrow that he's Nicola's contact - the one she claimed to Benji that she was scared of." Another agreed: "I don’t think the father is Max too obvious. But why is Max ringing Zoe? I think the Nicola, Max, Ravi theory is a good one. So glad tomorrow’s episode will be on iPlayer."

Jake Wood was revealed to be reprising his role earlier this year, with it thought he will be back briefly before a full-time return later in the year. In an unexpected twist, Kat was seen answering Zoe's phone at the hospital as someone tried to make contact with her.

Seemingly unaware that Zoe was now in surgery fighting or her life, someone rang her phone and Kat had some stern words. Answering the phone and hearing nothing from the caller, she assumed they were the person that shot Zoe and she issued a warning.

But in a major bombshell the camera panned to the person on the other end of the line, and it was Max. So why was Max calling Zoe, and how are they linked?

Viewers think they have worked out what this is about and whether Max is the person Zoe was talking about, when she hinted someone was after her. She commented on someone being "alive" as if she thought they were not, but was this about Max or someone else?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , and Threads.