BBC EastEnders Ben Mitchell star Max Bowden breaks silence on soap exit with seven word response

Max Bowden has issued a seven word message as he broke silence on his EastEnders exit, which is set to air on the BBC soap in the coming days and weeks

Max Bowden has spoken out for the first time to confirm his EastEnders exit.

It had been reported that Max was leaving his role as Ben Mitchell this year, with his exit storyline seemingly beginning last night when he was arrested for fraud. Ben had yet to confirm he was leaving the show, but a spokesperson for the soap did issue a statement to announce Max’s departure from the role, which he has played for five years.

Today, Max broke his silence on social media where he admitted it had been “one hell of a ride” on the programme, as he thanked fans for their support of his version of Ben, which has been played by several other actors since the character’s inception.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote: “Well guys It’s that time! It’s been one hell of a ride! Thanks for taking Ben to your hearts and allowing my version into your lives. I had an amazing five years at @bbceastenders and learnt a hell of a lot about myself and the craft I love so dearly; it got me through some very hard personal times and I will be forever grateful!

“I really will never be able to thank everybody for the support enough, because the fans of the show are so passionate, caring, and invested and it enables us as actors to want to keep going and always be better; so I really do from the bottom of my heart appreciate every single person who has sent any sort of positivity my way over the last five years – I love you all.”

He concluded his post by referencing the multiple times the character has been recast, by adding alongside a tick and heart emoji: “Ben Mitchell 6.0, over and out. Goodbye EE! I’ll miss you all. X.”

A source had previously revealed that Max’s exit would not result in the character’s death and if Ben did come back to Walford, it would likely be the case that he would be recast as another actor.

“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 insider said.

However, he wasn’t prepared for the arrival of the police who turned up to arrest him.

With the arrest building up to an exit for Ben, EastEnders fans have predicted that the character may return with a new face.

EastEnders: Ben was arrested

In Walford yesterday evening, Ben hadn’t planned on doing much for Callum’s birthday.

However, Jay and Lexi soon lifted his spirits and prompted him to go all out for his husband’s birthday.

In The Vic, Ben surprised Callum with a party as all of his loved ones gathered in the pub to celebrate.

It wasn’t long before the police turned up though to arrest Ben, with Ben taking the conversation outside.

Lexi and the rest of Ben’s loved ones shared their panic as Ben was accused of committing fraud in America last year.

EastEnders fans predict ANOTHER recast for Ben character

With Ben’s arrest leading to his eventual exit from Walford as Max Bowden prepares to depart from the soap, fans reckon that the character will return in the future… looking slightly different.

They think that another recast for Ben might be on the cards, with the character already having undergone many different changes in actors over the years.

One EastEnders viewer predicted: “There will be a recast in 18 months, am sure of it.”

Another person added: “It’s so obvious that Eastenders are just gonna send Ben off to prison for a couple of months then have him come out with a different face, that’s why they’ve not had him charged with anything more serious that would put him away for years.”

A third fan added: “He’ll be back [with another head] in a year tops I bet…”

What’s next for Ben Mitchell?

It’s looking like Ben’s time in the Square is almost up as his exit draws nearer and nearer.

This week, Phil gets Ritchie involved in a bid to help his son. With Ben is a sticky situation, Callum then uses his career to his advantage. Will this help save Ben from prison though?