EastEnders fans have been treated to a rare glimpse into the family life of one of the soap's most iconic stars. Jake Wood, who portrays the recently-returned character Max Branning, took to social media this morning to share a heartfelt collection of personal photographs celebrating his son Buster's milestone 18th birthday.
A Heartfelt Birthday Tribute
In a touching Instagram post, Wood expressed his immense pride and affection for his son, writing: "HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY BUSTER!!!! Everyone loves you so much!!! Keep doing what you are doing, stay true to yourself and continue being the thoughtful, funny, caring, talented and amazing young man you have grown up to be and who we are so incredibly proud of always @_8u5ter."
The actor shared several intimate snapshots that offered fans a window into their family moments. The collection included a contemporary photo of Buster getting his hair cut, a nostalgic beach shot from his younger years, and a special picture of the father-son duo together at the Arsenal football ground.
Striking Family Resemblance
What truly captured the attention of followers was the remarkable physical similarity between the EastEnders star and his teenage son. The comments section quickly filled with astonished observations about their nearly identical features.
One fan exclaimed: "Wow that first picture is you. Happy birthday Buster x." Another commented: "Wow he looks like your twin! Happy birthday! xx," while a third added humorously: "That first pic is a young Max Branning."
The resemblance proved so striking that multiple followers joked about genetic testing. One person wrote: "Happy Birthday Buster he looks more like you than you do strong genes," while another observed: "Wow! No DNA test required! You are like copy and paste! X."
Recent Charitable Efforts
This family celebration comes shortly after Wood used his platform for a compassionate cause. The actor recently appealed to his 193,000 Instagram followers to support a fundraising campaign for Connor, an electrician who works on the Albert Square set.
The crew member suffered a devastating accident while holidaying in Colombia over Christmas, falling from an 11-storey building and requiring multiple emergency surgeries. Wood described Connor as a "top man" and "respected by everyone who works at the studios," sharing a GoFundMe page to help cover mounting medical expenses.
"It's a miracle that he has survived," Wood told his followers. "He has a family and his mum has flown out to be with him. Here is the link to a GoFundMe page that has been set up in his name as money is desperately needed to pay for medical bills and to hopefully get him home."
Fundraising Success
The campaign has seen significant support from the EastEnders community. As of Saturday 31 January, the page had raised £33,053 toward its £35,000 target. Notable donations included £200 from Jake Wood himself, along with contributions from fellow cast members including Gillian Taylforth and Emma Barton (both giving £100), Jacqueline Osborne (£200), and Adam Woodyatt (£100). Francesca Henry also contributed £100 to the cause.
Page organiser Victoria Dean explained the urgency of the situation, noting that Connor's family remained uncertain whether his travel insurance would cover the escalating medical costs. "Whilst travelling in Colombia over Christmas, Connor was admitted to hospital following a fall from the 11th storey. Connor has undergone multiple life-saving procedures and is currently in ICU in critical condition in Colombia," she wrote, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding insurance payouts.
Wood's return to EastEnders as the charismatic Max Branning has been met with enthusiasm from viewers, and this glimpse into his personal life has further endeared him to fans who appreciate both his professional work and his dedication to family and colleagues.
