ACTOR Max Bowden is due to make an explosive exit during an upcoming trip to Walford.
As the storyline begins next week, EastEnders viewers may be happy to see one Square legend return just in time to wave him goodbye.
Max Bowden was the sixth actor chosen to portray Ben Mitchell in 2019, reprising the role from Harry Reid.
The son of Phil Mitchell has been involved in a plethora of dramatic storylines since Max took over, including a rape storyline aired in 2022.
But after five years in the BBC One soap, Max is moving on, away from Albert Square as his upcoming exit was announced in late 2023.
Ben’s final storyline begins next week as viewers have suspected he could be going down for hurting Dean Wicks as a favour for his pal and former flame Johnny Carter.
And just as he prepares to bow out in the midst of heavy legal troubles, Ritchie Scott, the Michell family’s solicitor, comes back to Albert Square to help him.
It all begins when Callum Highway (Tony Clay) gets ready to celebrate his birthday but he can only save face when it’s clear his husband Ben hasn’t made any plans for the occasion.
Ben eventually decides to throw Callum a surprise birthday party after receiving pressure from Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) and his daughter Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown), as well as Mitchell romance advice from his father Phil (Steve McFadden).
Callum is touched by the gesture but just as he thinks he can finally celebrate, things take a disastrous turn as the police arrive to arrest Ben.
In later scenes, Ben protests his innocence as he is held at the Walford police station and details of a previous crime resurface – what could it be?
At home, tensions rise between Jay, Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) and Phil, who calls in Ritchie Scott (Sian Webber) for Ben, and it’s not long before an argument erupts.
Lexi arrives home in the middle of the family argument and demands to know the truth.
Ritchie then arrives to speak to Phil, but Lexi is adamant she also deserves to know.
But a huge bombshell could be on its way when Phil takes a call from Ben as he shares a request.
In other scenes, Jay and Lexi visit Ben at the police station, but it’s not a smooth meet, and the young girl decides to leave.
Meanwhile, Phil and Callum have a heart-to-heart after he refuses to see Ben, and the Walford baddie – who was once opposed to Ben’s relationship with the copper – encourages him to give his son a second chance.
Kathy grows suspicious by Phil’s actions and she heads to No.29B to confront him.
What will be the outcome?
Although this remains to be seen, the Mitchell’s struggle continues later in the week as they try their best to deal with the fallout of Ben’s arrest.
In another twist the London-based program is known for, Callum uses his profession to his advantage.
But can he pull it off?
Will he aim to help Ben?
Or could this new hurdle break them apart again?
Ritchie Scott has made sporadic appearances in Walford since she was first introduced to viewers in 2005.
Although Phil has hired Ritchie on multiple occasions, she has helped another resident resolve his legal problems.
In 2018, after he was accused of shooting Stuart Highway, Mick Carter turned to Ritchie for help.
But will she be as successful in her attempt to keep Ben Mitchell out of trouble?
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
