EastEnders’ Ben Mitchell’s real exit ‘sealed’ after Phil twist as actor Max Bowden leaves BBC soap

EastEnders’ latest episode teased a possible twist in Ben Mitchell’s exit storyline, amid him facing prison.

Viewers discovered late last year that actor Max Bowden was leaving the role on the BBC soap after five years. Only recently did we find out how he would likely leave after spoilers were kept under wraps.

With no mention of what would happen to Ben, it came as a surprise to many when spoilers revealed he would be arrested for a past crime. In the latest episode of the BBC soap fans learned more, with it revealed it was a crime that happened when he was in America last year, despite him only being there for a matter of days.

As he was arrested, an officer told him: “There’s an international warrant out for you. I’m arresting you for fraud. Allegedly committed on your trip to the United States last year. You do not have to say anything but anything you do say may be given in evidence.”

Ben claimed he was innocent, but by the end of the episode it was not looking good as he admitted to family lawyer Ritchie Scott that he was guilty. She warned his shocked family that the evidence against Ben was stacking up, and there was little she could do.

With him facing time in prison for credit card fraud, Ben panicked he was going to be taken away from young daughter Lexi less than a year on from her mother Lola Pearce’s death. Ritchie explained Ben faced time in prison in the US, away from Lexi and his family.

But a moment with his dad Phil may reveal exactly how Ben leaves the show, with a twist teased. Ben was able to make a phone call to Phil, in which he had a big request for him.

He told his dad he could not leave Lexi and did not want to be apart from her, needing his help. So could Ben be planning to do a runner amid his bail hearing on Wednesday, and could he go on the run with daughter Lexi with Phil’s help?

Viewers questioned this, with one writing on X: “So what? Goes on the run but with Lexi?” Another said: “If Ben and Lexi don’t go on the run then I don’t want it, I can’t watch Jay be her full time dad and Callum be pushed out.”

It comes as Max took to Instagram to break silence on his exit, thanking fans for their support. 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 @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. Ben Mitchell 6.0 over and out. Goodbye EE! I’ll miss you all. X