EastEnders actor Jake Wood to take break from show
EastEnders actor Jake Wood is to leave the show for a year.
Wood, who plays Max Branning in the BBC soap, said it was the "right time" to give the character a break after nine years.
The show's executive-producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins promised to send Wood's character "out with a bang that will send ripples through the Square for the rest of the year", but gave no further details on the circumstances of his temporary exit.
The 42-year-old will be returning next year.
Speaking about his break, the actor said: "I have been at EastEnders for nine years and I feel the time is right to give Max a break but it won't be for too long as I shall be back next year to see Max face another chapter of drama."
Mr Treadwell-Collins, said: