EastEnders star Jake Wood said a heartfelt goodbye to Max Branning as he shot his final scenes on Friday.
The 48-year-old actor, who played Max for 15 years, took to his Instagram to share a farewell video as he walked around the famous BBC set.
Jake said ‘That’s a wrap’ as he thanked fans for their support as his time portraying the Albert Square bad boy came to an end.
Farewell for now: EastEnders star Jake Wood said a heartfelt goodbye to Max Branning as he shot his final scenes on Friday
Wrapped up warm in a black coat, scarf and baker boy cap, Jakes spoke into the camera as he told how it was his final day filming for the soap.
‘Morning everyone’, he said. ‘How are we all? Hope you are all well. Another wet and grey day.
‘Strange day for me, last day on set filming EastEnders after 15 years, playing Max Branning.
‘I’ll miss the place, it’s the people for me, I made some amazing friends and it’s been an incredible life changing experiences.
Time to go: The 48-year-old actor, who played Max for 15 years, took to his Instagram to share a farewell video as he walked around the famous BBC set (picture in character as Max)
‘Thank you all for your messages of love and support, I have really appreciated all of that, who knows what the future brings? I just wanted to say goodbye to Max Branning and share this with you all.’
Captioning his emotional video, he penned: ‘That’s a wrap. After 15 years on Albert Square it’s finally time to say goodbye to Max Branning today.
‘I will miss EastEnders and the people here so much. Thanks to everyone for all your support.’
Done and dusted: Jake said ‘That’s a wrap’ as he thanked fans for their support as his time portraying the Albert Square bad boy came to an end
Max’s exit storyline has yet to be revealed, but the character will no doubt be involved in explosive Christmas and New Year’s scenes as he tries to persuade secret lover Linda Carter to leave Walford with him.
Earlier this month, the actor confirmed that his upcoming exit from will ‘leave the door open’ for him to return in the future.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Jake told how Max won’t be ‘leaving in a coffin’ and has the opportunity to return.
He said: ‘One of the security guys when I drove in last week said, “Sorry to hear you’re leaving, are you going in a cab or a coffin?”
Goodbye: Wrapped up warm in a black coat, scarf and baker boy cap, Jakes spoke into the camera as he told how it was his final day filming for the soap
Appreciation: ‘Thank you all for your messages of love and support, I have really appreciated all of that, who knows what the future brings?’
‘It’s not going to be a cab exactly, but they’re leaving the door open, so I’m very pleased for that.’
The soap star added that his final scenes as the villainous Max will likely air in mid-February.
He said: ‘I think about mid-February, I am filming now for another two weeks so it will be about mid-February.’
Jake first joined the EastEnders cast in 2006, and has faced his fair share of drama, including womanising, a secret marriage and even being framed for murder.
Exit: Jake recently confirmed his upcoming exit from will ‘leave the door open’ for him to return in the future
Veteran: Jake first joined the EastEnders cast in 2006, and has faced his fair share of drama, including womanising, a secret marriage and even being framed for murder
Announcing his departure in September, Jake said: ‘I’ve had 15 wonderful years at EastEnders and have made some truly great friends.
‘I’ll of course miss everyone there but I’m grateful they have left the door open for Max and I’m excited to see what the next chapter holds.’
Executive producer Jon Sen also praised Jake’s contribution to the soap, saying: ‘Jake is a truly wonderful actor and EastEnders have been extremely lucky to have him for so long.
‘We have a big storyline for Max that starts in the coming weeks and we are all very excited to see that play out.’
Future: Speaking Good Morning Britain, Jake told how Max won’t be ‘leaving in a coffin’ and has the opportunity to return
Role: Announcing his departure in September, Jake said: ‘I’ve had 15 wonderful years at EastEnders and have made some truly great friends’