EastEnders' Max Branning star Jake Wood poses with rarely-seen lookalike son in 'proud dad alert'
Jake Wood shared an insight into family life this week as he shared a picture with his son Buster, 16, to Instagram, gushing that he was a 'proud dad' as the teen played in a charity football match for Sellebrity Soccer.
As the actor, 51, who is known for playing Max Branning in EastEnders, shared the post with his 177K followers and wrote "PROUD DAD ALERT", many couldn't believe how alike the father-son duo are. While one jested: "Your son is taller than you now".
Jake shares Buster and 19-year-old daughter Amber, with wife Alison Murray. The couple married in 2001 and renewed their vows in 2018.
Back in January, Jake shared a sweet post to mark Buster's 16th birthday, writing: "Happy 16th birthday @_8u5ter We are so proud of the young man you are becoming and we love you so much. Enjoy your day.
"One minute he’s dressed as Where’s Wally and holding your hand to walk down the street and the next he’s towering over us all!!! Happy 16th Birthday Buster! You are heaps of fun, you make us laugh everyday and we love you immensely. I hope you are having the best 16th birthday ever!!"
Jake is currently appearing in theatre show London Tide after calling time on his 15-year-stint on EastEnders in 2021. However, some fans have been speculating that he is set to return to the show over recent months.
In January, many were convinced that Max would come back to Albert Square as his daughter Lauren (played by Jacqueline Jossa) found out that Max has another secret daughter on the square.
Long-time followers of the popular BBC One series will remember that Linda Carter and Max Branning have a baby girl, Annie. However, Max, who left Walford after an ill-fated romance with Linda, is clueless about his little daughter.
Finding out that she had another sister, Lauren was told by Sonia: "I don't know if I should be doing this, but I want you to know, in fact you need to know you have got another sister in Walford."
This led fans to spiral into conspiracies that Max was returning, as one wrote on X: "Max and Tanya mentions coming out left right and centre I need them back NOW #EastEnders".
Another fan joined in: "YES SONIA!! About time Lauren and hopefully Max finds out about Annie. #EastEnders". Someone else added their voice: "Finally! Now please let Max find out about Annie #EastEnders". And one more viewer can't wait: "About time the Annie stuff came out. Just need Max back on the Square now. #EastEnders".
