Ben Mitchell makes his long-awaited comeback to EastEnders next week, and actor Max Bowden has teased the REAL reason he’s returning.
Max, who will make his debut as Phil’s son after taking over the role from previous actor Harry Reid, has revealed that Ben will be a changed man since we last saw him – and he has ambitions to replace his gangster dad.
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Ben will return with Lola Pearce and their daughter Lexi – leaving Phil stunned.
While Ben has only been off our screens for just over a year, having left in January 2018 with his share of the stolen heist money, Lola left Walford for a new life in Newcastle back in 2015.
But now they are all coming back and it becomes obvious from the start that they are hiding something… But why are they back? And what’s their secret?
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Actor Max has told Sun Online that Ben wants to replace his dad Phil in the family business.
Last night (Thursday March 28), viewers saw Phil try to steal The Arches from Ben in his absence – before Kathy Beale caught him red-handed.
We know that Kathy will then beg Ben to return home to save his dad – but his return might make things worse rather than better.
Actor Max revealed Ben’s not the same person he was when he left last year, and he wants to be number one.
He told the website: “Ben always wants to be the best. He wants to be the top in whatever way.
“I think he does look at Phil as that top and so I guess there is learning from Phil.”
When he comes home to find dad Phil in a dire financial situation, it could work to Ben’s advantage…
The pair work together as a team to find a solution – but do they both want the same things?
Max added: “Ben’s been working with a few people in Portugal, he’s kind of built himself up a little friendship base there.
“He’s been kind of working on some dodgy deals himself, which has kind of spurred him on I think to help the clan again.”
The actor continued by saying his character has grown up around his dad’s dodgy ways, so he’s familiar with it.
Father and son have had troubles in the past, with Phil refusing to accept his son’s sexuality – something which Ben is much more comfortable with on his return.
Max will make his EastEnders debut on Monday night at 8pm on BBC One.
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