EastEnders fans convinced former Ben Mitchell actor is making a shock comeback to soap after Max Bowden is axed
EASTENDERS fans are predicting a shock comeback for a former Ben Mitchell actor after Max Bowden’s surprise axing.
Max was the sixth and latest actor to play Ben in the Square, but we revealed bosses decided against renewing his contract following a series of off-screen headlines.
While he’s leaving the show this spring, the character will not be killed as part of the exit storyline paving the way for Ben’s return in the future.
It’s led to calls for the soap to bring back Max’s predecessor, Harry Reid, in the role six years after he last appeared on the programme.
The actor’s last TV role came at the tail end of last year on BBC soap Doctors.
Harry recently starred in a Beauty and the Beast pantomime with recently departed Enders star Shona McGarty, who enjoyed a brief fling with Max last year.
Underneath a picture of Shona and Harry posing together at Dartford’s Orchard West theatre, one fan wrote: “Time to return to EastEnders bro.”
Another said: “Hope you come back now Max has left!”
A third posted: “I know you heard the news about Max Bowden. Now’s your time to get on the phone with Chris Clenshaw.”
Chris is the soap’s executive producer.
Max, whose party lifestyle and chequered love life have overshadowed the four years he has played Ben, met bosses who decided not to renew his contract when it ends in March.
A TV insider said: “Max has played Ben for the last four years and bosses decided his time on the show was up.
“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.
“Bosses have yet to plan his exit storyline but Ben is not a character that they would kill off as we’ve already seen in all the previous recasts.”
An EastEnders spokeswoman confirmed: “Max will be leaving EastEnders next year.
“We wish him all the best for the future.”