EastEnders' Cindy's real plan for Max 'uncovered' by fans after Ian comment

EastEnders fans are convinced Cindy Beale is faking her romance with Max Branning with revenge in mind on the BBC soap, after a comment made by her ex Ian Beale

12:00, 14 May 2026Updated 12:08, 14 May 2026

[Fans of EastEnders are convinced Cindy Beale is hiding her true reason for her romance with Max Branning]

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Fans of EastEnders are convinced Cindy Beale is hiding her true reason for her romance with Max Branning(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Fans of EastEnders are convinced Cindy Beale is hiding her true reason for her romance with Max Branning.

A comment made by her ex Ian Beale this week has sparked a theory that it's all a revenge plot. The Cindy and Max romance has divided fans, more so because of Max's past with the Beales.

So when Ian brought up this past in a recent scene, fans were sure they had worked out Cindy's real sinister plan for Max. Despite them going public with their relationship, fans think Cindy is actually planning on avenging the death of her son Steven Beale.

Max caused his death in 2017, and then there's also the fact that Max had a fling with Cindy and Ian's daughter Lucy. Max was sent to prison for Lucy's murder while he was innocent of the crime.

[A comment made by her ex Ian Beale this week has sparked a theory]

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A comment made by her ex Ian Beale this week has sparked a theory(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)

Considering all this, fans have wondered if Ian's comment about the couple could seal a revenge storyline is in the works. Ian said: "[Cindy's] clearly forgotten that the man slept with her daughter and was responsible for her son's death."

Fans now think Cindy has not forgotten at all, and this is her motivation for her romance with Max. They are speculating she is faking everything, all to get closer to him so that she can avenge Steven and possibly Lucy too.

Taking to social media, one theorised: "I'm convinced after Thursday's episode that Cindy is playing Max and is biding her time to get revenge on Max for Steven's death." Another agreed: "It could be a Sharon and Ian situation from 2020."

A viewer commented: "This makes me think shes playing the long game with Max. Cindy definitely isnt the forgiving type!" A social media user agreed with this saying: "My thoughts exactly, she is up to something."

[EastEnders fans are convinced Cindy Beale is faking her romance with Max Branning]

View 3 Images

EastEnders fans are convinced Cindy Beale is faking her romance with Max Branning(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

A fan replied saying: "Course she is! Itll be brilliant if true." It comes amid some big return news, with reports stating Gray Atkins will be back on the BBC soap this year.

Toby Alexander-Smith is reprising his role, four years after his exit as killer Gray. Gray is currently in prison after murdering his wife Chantelle after she tried to leave their abusive marriage.

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Gray also killed Tina Carter when she worked out the truth, before he then murdered Kush Kazemi who was trying to flee with Whitney Dean, who Gray was obsessed with. Gray was eventually found out shortly after his wedding to Chelsea Fox, while the pair have a son named Jordan.

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