BBC EastEnders’ Ben Mitchell star issued stern warning as he’s ‘axed’ from soap
EXCLUSIVE: Max Bowden was reportedly ‘axed’ from EastEnders last week after playing Ben Mitchell for five years - and now the actor has been issued a warning
EastEnders star Max Bowden has been issued a stern warning – following the news of his exit from the BBC soap.
The actor, 29, best known for playing Ben Mitchell on the long-running show – making his debut in 2019. During his stint, he’s had some big storylines – including the character’s horrific rape ordeal in 2022.
He was also a part of Lola Pearce’s heartbreaking brain tumour storyline. The soap icon, played by Danielle Harold, sadly died last year. Following her death, Ben struggled to cope and developed an eating disorder, bulimia.
Max was the sixth actor to play Ben – and became a hit with viewers since his first appearance. So much so, that he’s even scooped a few gongs for his portrayal.
However, last week it was reported that Max will be bowing out of the programme. A source close to Max told Daily Star how the actor will leave the show indefinitely with his final scenes set to air in the coming weeks.
It was then claimed that Max’s private life hitting the headlines was a concern for the execs of the show. An insider told The Sun: “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.”
Now, just days after his reported exit, Max has been issued a warning. Speaking exclusively to Daily Star, Dom Aldworth, Head of Brand Marketing at Slingo claimed that Max needs to “be smart” if he wants to make it big after the soap.
The expert then pointed out “the noise and headlines” surrounding Max’s personal life at the moment. Dom noted how they “have been cited as potentially distracting from the drama on the show, a concern for the EastEnders bosses.”
Dom did say how Max has a “clear talent in acting” though. He said: “Some fans have dubbed him the best Ben to appear on the soap.”
However, if Max is hoping to “make some real moves” in the industry, the expert has warned him that he needs to be “smart.” Dom revealed: “If Bowden is serious about progressing in his career, he will need to remain focused and try to stay out of any drama.”
In 27 years, six different actors have played the iconic role of Ben Mitchell on EastEnders.And the character has appeared in a number of high-profile storylines, ranging from child abuse, through to male rape and eating disorders.
Matthew Bailey was just a baby when he joined the EastEnders cast as the first-ever Ben. Mum Kathy Beale had just given birth to him and he appeared alongside her and dad Phil Mitchell for two years before heading off to live in South Africa with his mum.
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Ben returned from South Africa as a toddler, with Morgan Whittle taking on the role, coming to visit and live with his dad for a short time between 1999 and 2001. Morgan appeared to hang up his acting shoes after the role with little known about him.
Five years later, Ben returned to our screens in 2006 and with him came the first memorable incarnation of the character. Charlie Jones brought Ben back to life after mum Kathy was supposedly killed in a car crash with her lover Gavin Sullivan.
Joshua Pascoe joined in 2010 for a brief two-year stint as Ben. It was then he had one of his most iconic storylines – the manslaughter of Heather Trott. After a two-year stint in prison for killing Heather, Ben returned to Walford with Harry Reid taking on the role of Ben in 2014 until 2018.
