BBC EastEnders fans left ‘cringing’ over Stacey’s racy text blunder as they ‘work out’ soap return

EastEnders fans got more than they bargained for on Wednesday night when Stacey Slater sent Jack Branning a racy text amid their affair.

Soap fans will recall that the two characters enjoyed a drunken fling before Christmas with Jack’s partner, Denise Fox, hitting out at Stacey on several occasions after she rumbled their night of passion. However, earlier this week, Jack and Stacey decided to rekindle their affair, which is sure to leave an already struggling Denise devastated as she continues to crumble after the Christmas murder of Keanu Taylor.

On Wednesday night, after spending the night together on Tuesday, Stacey decided to send Jack a racy message. However, Stacey got a panic when Denise appeared at her food van with Jack’s phone, paranoid that he might be investigating Keanu’s “disappearance”.

Stacey was panicked over Denise having Jack’s phone as she worried her incriminating text could be seen as she immediately told Jack. Stacey admitted: “I’ve sent you a text… an aubergine” as Jack rushed off to retrieve the device. Soap watchers were left cringing over the racy text, taking to social media to share their thoughts.

One person said: “STACEY WHAT ARE U DOING GIRL #eastenders “, a different account put: “Omg. Wtf is Stacey doing sending that. The CRINGE!!!”, another viewer wrote: “Not stacey sending the emoji #Eastenders” while a different soap watcher added: “stacey are u for real…???????? i cringed so hard #EastEnders.”

Elsewhere, some viewers are hoping for the return of a huge character, which could cause even more chaos for Stacey and Jack. Soap watchers are convinced Max Branning could make a comeback three years on from his exit. Max was written out of the BBC soap in 2021, with him later fleeing with his young granddaughter Abi offscreen.

It seems he reunited with his daughter Lauren Branning away from Walford and in New Zealand, where Lauren was living. But they had another falling out, and it’s not entirely clear now if they are back on speaking terms as Lauren recently returned to Albert Square without her dad.

Viewers are now hoping Max will return and learn about Jack and Stacey, causing chaos. Fans will recall that Stacey was married to Jack’s late nephew Bradley Branning until his death in 2010, while Stacey also had two affairs with Jack’s brother Max.

Taking to Twitter, now X, one person said: “#EastEnders I can see Max returning eventually and him getting it on with Stacey again, cue love triangle SL once Max finds out about Stacey /Jack’s affair and the two Brothers have always had a complex sibling rivalry and fiery relationship” while another added: “I’ve never wanted Max Branning so badly to come back to find out about Stacey and Jack #EastEnders.”