EastEnders star to make ‘shock return as iconic character’ two years after being being brutally axed

Ex EastEnders star Max Bowden is reportedly set to make a shock return as Ben Mitchell, two years after being axed from the soap.

The actor, 30, who played the iconic character for four years, is said to have been given a second chance by new boss Ben Wadey, after his contract was not renewed in 2023 following reported warnings from producers about his behaviour.

According to The Sun Max will return for a guest stint which could possibly lead to a full time role on the soap once more.

A source told the publication:  ‘Ben had a list of characters he wanted to bring back and Ben Mitchell was one. It’s taken a little while to sort out but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year.’

The actor is currently performing in West End musical Midnight Cowboy and the show’s new boss reportedly visited him at the theatre to ‘see where his head was at’.

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Ex EastEnders star Max Bowden, 30, is reportedly set to make a shock return as Ben Mitchell, two years after being axed from the soap (pictured on the soap)

The actor is said to have been given a second chance by new boss Ben Wadey, after his contract was not renewed following reported warnings from producers about his behaviour

‘Things hadn’t ended particularly well and Ben wanted to assure him this could be his fresh start. Max agreed to return for a short stint after Ben pitched his comeback storyline.

MailOnline have contacted BBC and Max’s reps for comment. 

Following his 2023 exit The Sun on Sunday claimed that the decision not to renew Max’s contract was made after bosses had to discipline him.

A source said at the time: ‘Max is ready to move on. He is proud of his time on the show and what he has achieved but he is focused on new projects and what he is doing next.’

It was reported that the actor had decisions with bosses for a chat with executives about his drama offscreen in 2022.

A TV source said: ‘Max was called in for a chat by executives. He is an extremely talented actor and was always a real pro on set. However, there were concerns that his partying lifestyle away from the set could start to prove a distraction.’

An EastEnders spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Max will be leaving EastEnders next year. We wish him all the best for the future.’

A TV insider told The Sun: ‘Max has played Ben for the last four years and bosses decided his time on the show was up.

Max will return for a guest stint which could possibly lead to a full time role on the soap once more

Following his 2023 exit it was claimed that the decision not to renew Max’s contract was made after bosses had to discipline him

Max, who is the sixth actor to play Ben, was involved in some of the soap’s biggest storylines of late

‘There has been a lot of noise around him for a bit too long and that can take away from the drama on the show.

‘He went in for a meeting as his contract was up for renewal next year, No one knew how it was going to go and following discussions it was decided that he would leave.’

Max, who is the sixth actor to play Ben, was involved in some of the soap’s biggest storylines of late.

Ben struggled to cope with the death of Lola Pearce-Brown (Danielle Harold) who was mother to his daughter Lexi.

He then developed eating disorder bulimia as he attempted to work through his grief.

It comes after Max’s former co-star Lacey Turner discussed her ‘never-ending guilt’ before making the bombshell decision to quit the show.

The actress, 37, joined the cast as Stacey Slater in 2004, and after departing in 2010, she reprised her role in 2014, but she is set to leave the show again later this year.

She is stepping back to focus on her family life with her husband Matt Kay and their three kids – daughters Dusty, five, and Gipsy, four months, and son Trilby, four.

Now, Lacey has opened up about the ‘guilt’ she previously felt leaving her beloved children to go to work on the long-running BBC show. 

It comes after Max’s former co-star Lacey Turner discussed her ‘never-ending guilt’ before making the bombshell decision to quit the show

She is stepping back to focus on her family life with her husband Matt Kay and their three kids – daughters Dusty, five, and Gipsy, four months, and son Trilby, four 

‘The older they get, the more you realise how quickly the little years pass. It’s bonkers, so I take it day by day, week by week,’ she told OK! Magazine.

‘You feel guilty leaving them, but also guilty for not earning, it’s just never-ending. But we’ve got to stop judging and start supporting each other.’

Lacey said she is looking forward to taking a break, admitting she has never had one before, as she hopes to focus on her family and other work commitments. 

She also hit back at the judgement that is often placed on parents and said she wants to put an end to the opinion that people have to be ‘rich’ to be good parents.

‘You don’t need to have the most expensive formula or toys or pram – I overheard a couple saving up to have a baby, that shouldn’t be the case,’ she said.

‘Parenting isn’t about money, it’s about love, time, and doing your best.’