Tanya Franks and Jake Wood "can't stop laughing" about their 'EastEnders' storyline.

Tanya Franks

Tanya Franks

The 51-year-old actress and the 46-year-old actor play married couple Rainie and Max Branning in the BBC One soap, and they were shocked when the two were put together for a sham marriage only for their characters to fall for each other.

She said: "We really do get on and I think we were both so surprised by this storyline that it was one of those things where we can't stop laughing about it.

"We surprised each other, and the chemistry has really worked.

"We work in a similar way and we do our homework together sometimes in the studio, so we're really having a good time."

Tanya admits she is "so different" from former drug addict Rainie but she adores her alter-ego, and loves her "spontaneity".

She added: "I love her. I don't know if I'd be any good at supporting her in real life, but I love her.

"She will just do things spontaneously that can absolutely ruin everything, but to her that is all that's important.

"I have to have a certain emotional strength but also a physical strength and a mental strength, and I think diet plays a part in that.

"I'm very careful of what I eat."

While Max and Rainie only initially got together as part of a deal to help the businessman win custody of his granddaughter Abi, they have fallen for each other - but Tanya hinted there are bad times to come for the pair.

Speaking on 'Lorraine', she added: "There could well be some rocky roads very, very soon."