EastEnders' Max Bowden talks 'naughty' Ben Mitchell return as he teases chaotic comeback

Max Bowden has let slip some details of his EastEnders return as the 'naughty' Ben Mitchell. The actor, 30, left his role as the Walford bad boy when his alter-ego was sent to prison in the US for credit card fraud earlier this year.

But now, the soap favourite has spoken out about his brief comeback, which will see Ben, who is married to Callum Highway return to Albert Square for the funeral of his father-in-law Jonno Highway (Richard Graham), who is set to be killed off in scenes yet to air in the coming weeks.

During an appearance on Bank Holiday Monday's This Morning, he told hosts Josie Gibson and Rylan Clark: "He is! Yes. Well, he's coming back as a doting husband. He's managed to get a transfer from the US and he comes back for a brief stint which was lovely to film and see everybody. He's been a naughty boy. He's essentially...he gets extradited on a day release and he comes back for Callum's dad's funeral!"

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But with Callum (Tony Clay) having recently cheated with Johnny, and with those feelings expected to grow, Ben may not be revisiting the happy family he left behind. He will be making his return alongside Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ), and is only planned as a short stint for the time being.

Max last appeared on screens as Ben in early 2024, as his character was arrested for an international crime.

The character has received a number of mentions since - most recently when his father Phil Mitchell found out Callum was having an affair with Johnny. How will Ben react when he finds out?

His return was reported earlier this year, with sources claiming that executive producer “Ben [Wadey] 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," a source told the Sun at the time.

“Ben wanted to meet Max and see where his head was at," the source continued - revealing that the new boss went to see the actor in the musical Midnight Cowboy.

“Things hadn’t ended particularly well and Ben wanted to assure him this could be his fresh start," the source continued. Ben Wadey wanted to give the 'axed star' another chance.

Reports at the time of his exit suggested that as Max's contract came to an end, bosses decided not to extend it and to write out both the character and Max.

The source then revealed that Max had "agreed to come back for a short stint" after Ben pitched a comeback storyline for the character.

Stuart on the other hand was last seen on screens in 2022 when he left alongside his wife, Rainie Cross and their son Roland to start a new life.

Rainie's former brother in law Max Branning (Jake Wood) is also confirmed to be returning to the soap, but as of yet, there's no confirmation of Rainie making her return.

Ben and Stuart's return comes after a number of high profile returns under the ruling of new executive producer Ben Wadey. Fans were left in shock during his first episode in June - when Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan) made her return to the Square after two decades.

The last month has also seen the return of Oscar Branning and Julie Bates. Actor Pierre Moullier made his debut as Max Branning's youngest child, whereasKaren Henthorn reprised her role as Julie Bates after almost three decades, in line with Nigel Bates' devastating dementia storyline.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,and Threads.