EASTENDERS fans have spotted a clue that proves that an iconic character is returning to the show under the soap’s new boss.
Ben Wadey became the new executive producer of EastEnders in February 2025, taking over the role from Chris Clenshaw.
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He had previously worked on the show as a story liner and story editor between 2019 and 2020 and was the Commissioning Executive for Channel 4 for several years.
Eager fans have been following Ben’s every move and now they have spotted he’s following a huge Enders icon on Instagram.
And what’s even more exciting – is that the person is following him back.
Max Bowden is the sixth actor to play the role of Ben Mitchell on the long-running BBC serial drama.
Max, 30, originally starred in EastEnders from 2019 until 2024 following a showdown with producers.
Bosses told the star that they were not renewing his contract as his party lifestyle and chequered love life whipped fans into a frenzy.
But now fans wonder if there is a way back for him – under the new boss.
On a post on social media one viewer wrote: “He was interviewed in this week’s Inside Soap. Full of praise for the live episode and Steve McFadden’s recent acting.”
“It seems that he is trying to get people interested in his new project instead of trying to make a return back to the soap.
“So I can’t see him coming back anytime soon honestly nor can I see us getting a fifth new head for him” replied another.
But another fan added: “Since Wadey and Bowden already follow each other on Instagram I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve been in touch about a potential return in the future.
“But I don’t think it’ll happen anytime soon. We just have to hope Bowden stays booked and busy.”
So will it happen? Will Ben return? You’ll need to watch this space for exclusive updates.
Max left the soap last year, when Ben Mitchell was arrested on fraud charges by American police under an international warrant.
Ben Mitchell’s biggest EastEnders storylines
Under the tenure of Charlie Jones, one of Ben’s most memorable storylines came when he was being physically and mentally abused by Phil’s girlfriend Stella Crawford (Sophie Thompson).
She tormented him by burning him with a hot spoon and making him bleed.
She also attempted to spoil his friendship with Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) and she threatened to kill Phil if he told anyone about her actions. Stella later committed suicide after Ben revealed what she did.
In 2010, the character underwent a transformation as Joshua Pascoe took over the role. This was when he was coming to terms with his sexuality when he attended a gym and shared his first kiss with boxer, Duncan Willis (Steven France).
However, the pair were spotted by Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker). Scared about being his homosexuality being discovered, he threw a brick through Patrick’s window and tried to intimidate him into not going public.
He eventually admitted the truth after Phil violently beat Christian with a baseball bat after Ben falsely accused him of touching him inappropriately, out of revenge for not having feelings for him.
To test out whether he was in fact gay, Lola offered to have sex with him. Although she concluded that he was definitely gay, Ben soon discovered that Lola became pregnant.
After Phil rejected him, he anonymously stalks his own father and terrorises him with evidence of his past crimes. Ben then tells the police that Phil forced Stella to jump and he was charged with her murder.
The family disown Ben after they discover that he was behind the arrest, and he fears that he was been betrayed by Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison) who also knew that he set Phil up.
In their confrontation, Ben killed her after he hit Heather over the head with a metal picture frame. Although Phil initially tries to cover up his actions, Ben soon comes clean to the police and he is imprisoned for manslaughter.
He then discovered for a fact that he was the father of Lola’s daughter Lexi when received a visit from her in prison.
In 2014, Ben returns and this time he is played by Harry Reid. He tries to deny his own sexuality and enters into a relationship with Abi Branning.
After several awkward encounters with Johnny Carter, he reveals to his partner that he’s still attracted to men. However, she is desperate to stay with him and said that their relationship is about more than sex. However, he soon embarks on a new romance with Paul Coker (Jonny Labey).
As the affair carries on, Abi discovers his secret. Aunt Babe (Annette Badland) convinces her to fake a pregnancy in order to stay with him. She later faked a miscarriage in an attempt to end the lie after Ben revealed that he had an STI and so they couldn’t have sex for real to get pregnant. In revenge, Babe wrote a letter to Ben which revealed the truth and it was read by a returning Louise (Tilly Keeper).
Ben and Paul resumed their relationship with the full blessings of their families. However, he was left heartbroken when Paul was murdered on a celebratory night out.
In 2019 Max Bowden took over the role as Ben returned to the square. One of his major storylines was the secret relationship with Callum ‘Halfway’ Highway (Tony Clay), who was with Whitney (Shona McGarty). After they share a kiss, Callum proposes to Whitney in an attempt to deny his feelings for men. The day before their wedding, Callum confesses all to Whitney.
Just as she is about to expose their secret in the packed Queen Vic, Hunter Owen (Charlie Winter) decides to hold all the residents hostage. Ben is shot during the siege and is revived by Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy). Phil eventually forgives his son for all his wrongdoings and he and Callum finally get together.
But there were problems in store for the couple that took place during the 35th Anniversary week of the soap.
The Queen Vic boat crashed due to a fight between Keanu, Phil and Ben, causing it to go down. Already suffering hearing problems, Ben hit his head and further damaged his hearing aid. This created a storyline about him becoming permanently deaf.
The charge was in connection to his trip to America, where he attempted to get dying Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold) onto a drugs trial but was unsuccessful.
Ben’s credit cards were blocked, but instead of going to the police, he stole someone else’s and spent thousands on hotels, car rental and a business class flight home, consequently facing six years in prison.
Husband Callum Highway (Tony Clay) begged Ben to plead not guilty to all his charges, but was left heartbroken when Ben went against his advice.
Callum was left heartbroken when Ben was deported and told him he would wait for his release from jail.
After his final scenes on EastEnders aired, Max took to Instagram to bid his goodbyes.
He wrote: “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 @bbceastendersand 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.
“Ben Mitchell 6.0 . Over and out. Goodbye EE! I’ll miss you all. X”
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EastEnders airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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