NOT THE END
EastEnders star lands new job as a teacher after being brutally axed from BBC soap and taking swipe at bosses
The actor made a huge dig at the soap after he opened up about the huge changes in his life
A FORMER EastEnders star has taken on a teaching role after exiting the BBC soap and criticising show bosses.
Max Bowden, known for portraying Ben Mitchell since 2019, has transitioned into teaching acting workshops following his departure from the BBC soap last year.
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His EastEnders contract was not renewed after a reported dispute with the show's executives.
Now, he will be hosting an upcoming masterclass in screen acting.
He is working in collaboration with The Actor's training Hub, iampro, which was co-founded by EastEnders star Charlie Brooks, known for playing Janine Butcher.
Max also offers acting lessons priced at £36 per session.
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These workshops are conducted at the drama academy owned by his co-star and friend, Jacqueline Jossa.
The sessions provide participants with insights into the acting industry, covering script work, monologues, confidence building, and include a Q&A segment for personalised advice.
Jacqueline, who plays Lauren Branning, has a longstanding friendship with Max.
In addition to his teaching endeavors, Max has been candid about his personal challenges, including his complex love life and off-screen activities, which were factors in his exit from the soap.
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Max originally starred in EastEnders from 2019 until 2024 following a showdown with producers.
'I wasn't me' reveals EastEnders star Max Bowden as he speaks out over controversial Ben Mitchell exit
Bosses told the star that they were not renewing his contract as his party lifestyle and chequered love life whipped fans into a frenzy.
The actor made a huge dig at the soap after he opened up about the huge changes in his life.
Speaking with , he admitted: "My life has changed a lot recently, I don’t party anymore, I’m just interested in being a better dad, and a better person overall.
"EastEnders is one of the hardest gigs, if not the hardest gig, in acting, because a lot of the time you have to strip away your technique and rely on impulse."
Ben Mitchell's biggest EastEnders storylines
Under the tenure of Charlie Jones, one of Ben's most memorable storylines came when he was being physically and mentally abused by Phil's girlfriend Stella Crawford (Sophie Thompson).
She tormented him by burning him with a hot spoon and making him bleed.
She also attempted to spoil his friendship with Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald) and she threatened to kill Phil if he told anyone about her actions. Stella later committed suicide after Ben revealed what she did.
In 2010, the character underwent a transformation as Joshua Pascoe took over the role. This was when he was coming to terms with his sexuality when he attended a gym and shared his first kiss with boxer, Duncan Willis (Steven France).
However, the pair were spotted by Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker). Scared about being his homosexuality being discovered, he threw a brick through Patrick's window and tried to intimidate him into not going public.
He eventually admitted the truth after Phil violently beat Christian with a baseball bat after Ben falsely accused him of touching him inappropriately, out of revenge for not having feelings for him.
To test out whether he was in fact gay, Lola offered to have sex with him. Although she concluded that he was definitely gay, Ben soon discovered that Lola became pregnant.
After Phil rejected him, he anonymously stalks his own father and terrorises him with evidence of his past crimes. Ben then tells the police that Phil forced Stella to jump and he was charged with her murder.
The family disown Ben after they discover that he was behind the arrest, and he fears that he was been betrayed by Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison) who also knew that he set Phil up.
In their confrontation, Ben killed her after he hit Heather over the head with a metal picture frame. Although Phil initially tries to cover up his actions, Ben soon comes clean to the police and he is imprisoned for manslaughter.
He then discovered for a fact that he was the father of Lola's daughter Lexi when received a visit from her in prison.
In 2014, Ben returns and this time he is played by Harry Reid. He tries to deny his own sexuality and enters into a relationship with Abi Branning.
After several awkward encounters with Johnny Carter, he reveals to his partner that he's still attracted to men. However, she is desperate to stay with him and said that their relationship is about more than sex. However, he soon embarks on a new romance with Paul Coker (Jonny Labey).
As the affair carries on, Abi discovers his secret. Aunt Babe (Annette Badland) convinces her to fake a pregnancy in order to stay with him. She later faked a miscarriage in an attempt to end the lie after Ben revealed that he had an STI and so they couldn't have sex for real to get pregnant. In revenge, Babe wrote a letter to Ben which revealed the truth and it was read by a returning Louise (Tilly Keeper).
Ben and Paul resumed their relationship with the full blessings of their families. However, he was left heartbroken when Paul was murdered on a celebratory night out.
In 2019 Max Bowden took over the role as Ben returned to the square. One of his major storylines was the secret relationship with Callum 'Halfway' Highway (Tony Clay), who was with Whitney (Shona McGarty). After they share a kiss, Callum proposes to Whitney in an attempt to deny his feelings for men. The day before their wedding, Callum confesses all to Whitney.
Just as she is about to expose their secret in the packed Queen Vic, Hunter Owen (Charlie Winter) decides to hold all the residents hostage. Ben is shot during the siege and is revived by Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy). Phil eventually forgives his son for all his wrongdoings and he and Callum finally get together.
But there were problems in store for the couple that took place during the 35th Anniversary week of the soap.
The Queen Vic boat crashed due to a fight between Keanu, Phil and Ben, causing it to go down. Already suffering hearing problems, Ben hit his head and further damaged his hearing aid. This created a storyline about him becoming permanently deaf.
The star admitted that his acting approach has changed since he left the long-running BBC One serial drama.
He added: "I carry quite a lot of ‘the method’ in my approach to my acting.
"It’s easy to get a bit lost in the work as a result. It’s shaped me in that I no longer approach anything with fear."
"It’s a brilliant place to hone your skills, so I’m very grateful for my time there."
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