Dr Harding

Dr Harding made his first appearance on 28 December 2017. He is portrayed by Nick Waring.

Storylines
Dr Harding is a doctor who informs Max Branning that Abi Branning will never recover from her fall off the Vic roof and she is declared brain dead. He later delivers her baby girl via caesarean section on New Year's Eve. Max obtains a court order preventing Dr Harding withdrawing life support and presents information on a medical trial in the US to Dr Harding that costs £2,000,000, but Dr Harding urges Max to do the dignified thing for Abi as she is already dead. Dr Harding reminds Max that Abi is not a minor and he has no legal rights. Max threatens to go to the press and find details about Dr Harding's private life and accuses him of killing Abi, but Abi's older sister, Lauren Branning shouts at Max, telling him he killed Abi.

Max barricades Abi's room and refuses to comply and listen to Dr Harding, Lauren or his brother, Jack Branning, but Max relents when Dr Harding's colleague, Nurse Lennon, tells him about her son's death. When Max goes to visit Abi's baby, Dr Harding tells Max and Lauren that her life support will be withdrawn that day and he later explains to them what will happen. Max asks if Abi's machines can be withdrawn at her time of birth, 8:32pm. Abi's life support is withdrawn with her family's presence.