EastEnders' Ben Mitchell star exits BBC soap after four years as bosses say 'time is up'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

EastEnders star Max Bowden is set to make an emotional exit from the BBC soap after playing fan favourite Ben Mitchell for four years.It's been confirmed by show bosses that the actor has been axed from the show with reports suggesting he will step down in 2024.The 29-year-old actor has yet to confirm the news, which follows the exit of co-star Danny Walters whose character Keanu Taylor was killed off on Christmas Day.

An EastEnders spokeswoman told The Mirror: “Max will be leaving EastEnders next year. We wish him all the best for the future." Reports suggest there are no current plans in place for him too to be killed off while an exit storyline has yet to be planned, the Mirror reports.Max is said to be leaving the BBC soap in Spring next year after talks with bosses led to his departure at the end of his current contract.There is currently no on-screen suggestions that Ben will leave amid his marriage to Callum Highway, so fans will have to wait to find out what leads to his sudden exit.According to reports, bosses decided to not renew Max's contract despite the actor being very popular among fans as he portrayed the son of the iconic Phil Mitchell.Ben has been at the centre of some major storylines in the past four years for his eating disorder battle and being sexually assaulted by Lewis.

A TV insider said to The Sun : “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.