Overview
- Max Branning publicly proposed to Cindy Beale at Vicki Fowler and Ross Marshall's wedding in a Wednesday episode, and Cindy rejected his drunken proposal.
- Hours after the failed proposal Max and Priya Nandra-Hart met at the car lot, comforted each other and were shown on screen to appear to end up sleeping together.
- Fans on X and in tabloid coverage criticised the new pairing as predictable and complained the scene did not fit Priya's previously confident, devoted portrayal.
- The programme presented Priya as recently single after Ravi Gulati left Walford following completion of his treatment, a plot detail used to explain her vulnerability.
- An earlier flashforward showing Max in bed with a pregnant woman has fuelled viewer speculation that Priya could be involved, but the show has not confirmed any pregnancy on screen.