Ben Mitchell Is Returning To EastEnders… With Yet Another New Head

Ben Mitchell is probably one of the most recast characters in soap history. Whilst it's not uncommon for long-running TV shows to recast child actors when they're very young, once they're grown up, bosses usually stick with the same actor.

However, it has now been announced that 24-year-old Max Bowden - who you may recognise from Waterloo Road - will be taking over the role, after Harry Reid, 26, bowed out of the soap last year. Fans have been taken aback by this news, as many were hoping that popular actor Harry would be returning to the Square. It's not clear whether or not it was his decision not to return to the show.

Showrunner Kate Oates has revealed that we can expect big things from Ben's return, which will coincide with the return of Lola Pearce and their daughter Lexi.

Kate revealed: 'A character like Ben, with his rich history, ‘complicated’ family and complex psychology, is pure gold. With Max in the role, we will be exploring the aspects of Ben’s character that have been allowed to develop during his time away from the Square: unfettered by old loyalties, and out of the long shadow of his father, Phil.'

Sounds like there's exciting stuff in store...

Check out the video above to see what Ben's going to look like this time around...