Wedding drama in EastEnders leaves Stuart and Rainie devastated

EastEnders Stuart Highway and Rainie Branning

Stuart is surprised by Rainie's comments (Image credit: BBC / Jack Barnes)

Stuart and Rainie are tying the knot!

Stuart Highway and Rainie Cross are getting ready for their big day in this week's EastEnders, but things don't quite go to plan.

EastEnders fans saw Stuart determined to make Rainie his wife earlier this year after proposing numerous times.

Stuart prepares to propose to Rainie in EastEnders — Stuart's first proposal was a little unusual! (Picture: BBC)

But while his initial attempts to pop the question fell flat (anyone remember him jumping out of a coffin with a ring?!), Stuart finally managed to convince Rainie that getting hitched was a great idea.

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However, there was just one problem. Rainie was still married to Max Branning (Jake Wood) at the time, meaning she'd have to get a divorce first.

Of course Max made it tricky for Rainie to get what she wanted, but eventually he agreed to sign the divorce papers.

Stuart reassures Rainie Branning in EastEnders — Rainie eventually saw that Stuart was the man for her... (Picture: BBC)

But in typical Branning fashion, Max went to great lengths to make sure Rainie didn't get her hands on his cash by selling his half of Walford East to Ian Beale.

The divorce is finalised

Tonight's EastEnders (Monday 14th September - see our TV Guide for full listings) sees Max announce that his divorce from Rainie is now official.

But while Max will spend this week trying to get his restaurant money back from Ian, Rainie and Stuart get into wedding planning mode.

Max thanks Ian for helping him out in EastEnders — Max sold his half of the restaurant to Ian to stop Rainie getting her hands on the money (Picture: BBC)

The pair organise their hen and stag parties, both getting ready for their wedding in style.

Party pooper

But while Ben and Callum get ready for the party, it seems their celebrations are about to be cut short when they start talking about Ben's plans with Danny Hardcastle.

Stuart and Rainie are excited about their Stag and Hen do's in EastEnders — Stuart and Rainie's stag and hen nights don't quite go to plan when no one turns up... (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)

However, it seems Ben and Callum aren't the only ones who don't make it to the party on time... because as the minutes tick by, the bride and groom-to-be are left sitting on their own.

Is this sad twist a bad omen for the big day to come?

EastEnders airs Mondays at 8.05pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.35pm and Fridays at 8.30pm on BBC One- see our TV Guide for full listings.

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Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off.

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.