Former EastEnders star Jake Wood reveals his delight he can finally grow a beard after leaving soap

He bid farewell to Albert Square last week after 15 years on the soap.

And former EastEnders star Jake Wood shared his delight at being able to finally grow a beard during an appearance on Tuesday’s Good Morning Britain.

The actor, 48, told Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid that he was never able to have more than just stubble because he had to maintain continuity for his character Max Branning in the soap.

‘My wife hates it!’ Former EastEnders star Jake Wood revealed on Tuesday he’s delight he can finally grow a beard after being forced to keep it the same length for 15 YEARS for the soap

Jake, who sported a bushy beard quite unlike what viewers will be used to seeing him have, joked his ‘wife hates’ his facial hair. 

‘The wife hates it, but what can you do? I want to go full ZZ Top,’ he admitted, as he asked Piers about growing a beard before adding: ‘It’s the first time in 15 years I don’t have to keep my stubble the same.’

Jake also went on to talk about his departure from the soap, admitting that it was ‘sad’ to watch his final episode with his wife.

Look: The actor told Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid that he was never able to have more than just stubble because he had to maintain continuity for his character Max Branning (pictured)

Look: The actor told Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid that he was never able to have more than just stubble because he had to maintain continuity for his character Max Branning (pictured)

Amused: Jake, who sported a bushy beard quite unlike what viewers will be used to seeing him have, joked his 'wife hates' his facial hair

Amused: Jake, who sported a bushy beard quite unlike what viewers will be used to seeing him have, joked his ‘wife hates’ his facial hair

He explained: ‘It was sad. It was a bit weird for me because I finished filing in mid-December so I’ve been away for three months really, my wife and I watched it we invited the kids but they weren’t really interested.

’15 years is a long time on any show, it was an emotional moment. But it’d been three months so it had been a while since I was on set, but the messages I got was great.’ 

Max turned his back on Albert Square after realising there was nothing left for him there and in a heartbreaking moment, he left behind his granddaughter Abi after realising she’d be better off being raised by Rainie and Stuart. 

Changes: Jake said he wanted to go 'full ZZ Top' before adding: 'It's the first time in 15 years I don't have to keep my stubble the same'

Changes: Jake said he wanted to go ‘full ZZ Top’ before adding: ‘It’s the first time in 15 years I don’t have to keep my stubble the same’

Departure: Of leaving the soap, he went on: '15 years is a long time on any show, it was an emotional moment. But it'd been three months so it had been a while since I was on set'

Departure: Of leaving the soap, he went on: ’15 years is a long time on any show, it was an emotional moment. But it’d been three months so it had been a while since I was on set’

Following his exit after 15 years on the soap, Jacqueline Jossa paid a touching tribute to her onscreen dad Jake with a plethora of throwback snaps as she gushed: ‘You are a legend.’  

The Walford bad boy decided to bid farewell after his one-time love Linda Carter once again rejected him and declared that she doesn’t love him, despite him getting the Queen Vic back for her.

And in another blow, his brother Jack gave him some harsh home truths, with Max then deciding to disappear with beloved granddaughter Abi.

But after his car failed to start, he then made to walk to the Tube station with the little one in tow. 

The duo then bumped into his former love Stacy Slater, with Max saying a cryptic goodbye.

However, he then noticed little Abi looking up at her great-aunt Rainie’s window and in that moment he chose to leave the tot on her doorstep, deciding that Abi would have a better life with Rainie and husband Stuart. 

Time to go: Max turned his back on Albert Square last week after realising there was nothing left for him there and in a heartbreaking moment, he left behind his granddaughter Abi

Time to go: Max turned his back on Albert Square last week after realising there was nothing left for him there and in a heartbreaking moment, he left behind his granddaughter Abi

Tribute: Following his exit after 15 years on the soap, Jacqueline Jossa paid a touching tribute to her onscreen dad with a plethora of throwback snaps as she gushed: 'You are a legend'

Tribute: Following his exit after 15 years on the soap, Jacqueline Jossa paid a touching tribute to her onscreen dad with a plethora of throwback snaps as she gushed: ‘You are a legend’

After leaving Abi on Rainie’s doorstep, a tearful Max then grabbed his bags and made his way to the tube station as EastEnders’ heart wrenching Julia’s theme played in the background.

Following the emotional scenes, actress Jossa, who played Lauren Branning, shared a touching message in honour of actor Jake.

The TV star shared a plethora of throwback snaps of the pair, including them in character, at an award’s ceremony and with onscreen sister Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald). 

TV family: The TV star shared a plethora of throwback snaps of the pair, including them in character, at an award's ceremony and with onscreen sister Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald)

TV family: The TV star shared a plethora of throwback snaps of the pair, including them in character, at an award’s ceremony and with onscreen sister Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald)

Throwback: Jacqueline shared several snaps of herself and Jake together over the years

Throwback: Jacqueline shared several snaps of herself and Jake together over the years

She penned: ‘To the only other guy I call dad. Thank you for everything. I learnt all I know from you and had the best time playing your daughter. Goodbye for now max..

‘I cannot wait to see what is in store for you next, and hope one day we will work together again. You are a legend @mrjakewood.’

Replying to her post, Jake wrote: ‘Love ya Jac fake daughter ❤️ as your fake dad can I just say I’m so proud of the young woman you have become❤️.’

Sweet: She penned: 'To the only other guy I call dad. Thank you for everything. I learnt all I know from you and had the best time playing your daughter. Goodbye for now max..¿¿'

Sweet: She penned: ‘To the only other guy I call dad. Thank you for everything. I learnt all I know from you and had the best time playing your daughter. Goodbye for now max..♥️’

'Fake dad': Replying to her post, Jake wrote: 'Love ya Jac fake daughter ¿¿ as your fake dad can I just say I¿m so proud of the young woman you have become¿¿'

‘Fake dad’: Replying to her post, Jake wrote: ‘Love ya Jac fake daughter ❤️ as your fake dad can I just say I’m so proud of the young woman you have become❤️’