The crackers are set on the table and Max rearranges Stacey and Bradley’s seats. Tanya is excited and Abi is ready for presents. Abi sets a gift in front of Bradley’s card from Lauren.

Bradley and Stacey are preparing to head to Max and Tanya’s. Stacey is worried about how things will go with Sean and her mum in tow. Bradley says it will all be ok. He hands her a gift to open. Shehesitates, but he insists she open it. It’s a lovely scarf and Stacey thanks him for it. He takes it from her and blindfolds her.

Jack is getting out of his car when his mobile rings. It’s Phil wondering why he hasn’t called. Jack tells Phil he will need to be patient. Jack watches as Bradley leads Stacey across the square.

Ian looks over at Pat’s. Roxy is doing her walk of shame home and stops to chat with Ian. She teases him about getting a tub of chippy fat or a new pinny. He shows her his expensive new watch. She flashes him and heads home. Jane comes out to ask him what he’s doing. He tells her he has something to tell her. She wonders if he wants to thank her for his expensive new watch.

Denise, Kevin, Steven, and Pat discuss how quiet it is without Deano. Denise declares that next year will be the best as they will all be together under the same roof. Steven shows Pat the gifts he’s gotten for Ian and family. Kevin is missing Deano.

Shirley has made a big spread for lunch. Shirley reads her card from Deano. Heather is quite excited to dig in. Shirley is tense as Vinnie hasn’t rung. Shirley stalls by opening presents. She gives Heather an exercise machine that is about 40 years old. Heather gives Shirley her gift.

Bradley leads Stacey into an apartment. He takes off the blindfold. Stacey walks around and wonders who’s place this is. He tells her it’s theirs. She is so surprised and happy. Stacey tells him it’s gorgeous. He tells her there is more and shows her a nursery in hopes that one day they may need it. Stacey tells him she loves him.

Aunt Sal goes on and on about days gone by. Sal cracks a joke about Roxy being Santa’s little ho and wonders what she’s been up to. Phil tells Sal to go easy on the booze. Sal makes a joke about Ben being a little Vicar. Ronnie asks Roxy about her night. Peggy remembers they haven’t popped their Christmas Crackers. They all grab on and pop them.

Ian calls Pat as his family is popping their Christmas crackers. Pat answers and she tells him she was going to come round later. Ian tells her that Steven shouldn’t come. Pat tells him she can’t do that as he’s already left. Ian hangs up as Jane comes in, and he tries to stop her from answering the door. It’s Steven.

Heather loves her gift as she can eat, watch telly and lose weight all at the same time. Shirley is admiring the calendar of men Heather gave her. Heather asks if they can eat yet, and Shirley tells her no.

Ian tells Jane that he didn’t know what to do. He’s treated Steven like dirt, and he’s tried to get rid of him. Jane tells him that the day is still early and Steven might try to get rid of him. Ian tells him he has mistreated him and blamed a lot of this on others like Steven and Cindy. He raised Steven as his own, and he can’t help but notice how happy the kids are together.

Christmas lunch is in full swing at the Brannings. They talk about presents and Jack offers to hand out the gifts. Dot wonders if Tanya watches the Queen’s speech. Tanya doesn’t understand, and Jack agrees with Dot and tells everyone he’ll be right back. They pop their Christmas Crackers. Max asks Stacey if she liked their new flat. She tells them she loved it. Bradley tells her that his Dad helped with the deposit, but he did all the graft. Stacey thanks, Max. Lauren stares at Stacey intently. Stacey asks her to pass the sauce, and Lauren doesn’t respond. Tanya asks Lauren to pass the sauce. Lauren asks to be excused instead, claiming she doesn’t feel well. Tanya tells her no, but Lauren goes anyway. Max makes a toast to Christmas and family. Tanya looks at Max with immense love.

Sal continues to be a bit raunchy and Phil has enough of it. Phil says he’s got a screaming headache and she isn’t helping. He tells them he just wanted a bit of peace. Jack pops in and wishes everyone Merry Christmas.

Steven talks about New Zealand. Jane wonders if he misses it. He says he does and when he was there, he missed the cold of London. He asks Jane if she wants more sprouts, and she says yes. He accidentally spills some onto her plate. Everyone is tense, and then the kids start to giggle. Jane giggles and takes a sprout onto her fork.

Heather begs Shirley to eat dinner. Shirley yells at her not yet. She’s just tried to call Vince, but there is no answer. Shirley pulls dinner out of the oven. Heather begs again, and Shirley tells her they can’t start as she’s waiting on Vinnie. Heather tells her she doesn’t want to hurt her feelings on Christmas day, but maybe they should start without him.

Max and Bradley are doing the dishes as Stacey rocks the baby to sleep. It’s a beautiful moment of love and peace in the Brannings. Tanya sends Max off to put on his Father Christmas suit.

Phil ask Jack what he wants. Jack hands him a Chrismas package. It’s a photo of Louise. Ronnie peeks into the kitchen. Phil asks Jack where Louise is. Jack tells him he will know in a weeks time. Phil is emotional. Jack tells him that he will have her under his arms in a week.

Everyone is having a good time at dinner. Steven is celebrating his birthday on Boxing day. Lucy invites him round for his birthday. Steven says he doesn’t want to intrude. Jane doesn’t look amused. The timer goes off, and she tells Steven it’s time to go. Ian looks shocked as do the kids. Jane tells him that he’s had an hour, and it’s time to go.

Max comes in, and Stacey is sitting with the baby. Max says he’s happy. Stacey says that she is equally happy. They hug, and Stacey leaves so Max can get changed.

Phil shows Ben a photo of his sister. Ben doesn’t really react. Jack says he should be heading back. He tells Phil he’ll be in touch. Jack stops in the bar to pour himself a drink. Ronnie follows him. They share a drink and a kiss.

Lauren is listening to her music and Max comes in. He asks if he can talk to her. He asks how she is feeling. She says, not too good. He apologizes for being a rubbish dad. He tells her that he knows over the last couple of weeks he’s given her a hard time, and he didn’t mean to. He tells Lauren he’s just been going through some things. She asks what. He tells her work. Tanya calls up for Max. Lauren asks if he and Tanya are ok. He tells her things are good, and things are going to be good.

Steven leaves, and everyone is upset with Jane. Ian tells Jane he was trying to do the right thing. She says, “for who? Me? No. For yourself as usual? You let him in again, and I’m gone.”

Heather and Shirley are right couch potatoes. Heather is full of gas.

Tanya is passing out drinks and Father Christmas in. burst in. The first gift is for Lauren. The envelope looms in the background. Max calls out “right who’s next?”

Shirley comes to the pub and runs into Kevin. Kevin lets her know Deano has to serve his whole term.

The presents are being opened at the Brannings. Everyone is having a right good time opening their gifts. Dot notes they have missed the Queen’s speech. Max tells Dot he’s recorded it for her. She wonders if you can do such a thing.

Max hands Bradley’s envelope to him, and Lauren rushes to take it back. Bradley pulls, and it rips open. It’s the wedding video. Stacey says they should watch it. They laugh and enjoy the video until they watch Max come in behind Stacey. Lauren knows, and Max tries to stop them from watching. Bradley won’t stop the video as he is suspicious. They listen to Max tell Stacey he still loves her. They watch as Max kisses Stacey. Bradley is angry, and Tanya is devastated. Stacey is humiliated. Max knows he’s been caught.