EastEnders fans predict recast after huge character is rumoured to return – and it's a familiar face
BBC viewers are convinced a legendary Walford resident is making a comeback.
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New EastEnders boss wants Max Bowden to return as Ben Mitchell
Credit: BBC
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But fans think actor Daniel Delaney (who played younger Phil) would make a better Ben
Credit: BBC
EastEnders favourite Max Bowden is set for a dramatic return as Ben Mitchell - months after his shock exit from the soap.
The actor, who played the troubled Mitchell for five years, left Albert Square last year after Ben was extradited to the US for credit card fraud.
The Sun has revealed Max could be back on screen sooner than fans think, with bosses lining him up for a guest stint - and a possible full-time comeback on the cards.
A source said that the soap's new producer Ben Wadey had a "list of characters he wanted to bring back" after taking over from Chris Clenshaw, with Ben Mitchell being one of them.
But fans think the next actor to play Ben should be Daniel Delaney, the actor who portrayed a younger version of Phil in two spin off episodes.
Taking to Reddit, one fan wrote: "Not only is he the spitting image of Steve McFadden but he's also a fantastic young actor too.
"It wouldn't be the first time someone has played two characters in the same show either."
Daniel Delaney played a younger Phil Mitchell in the flashback episodes during Phil's psychosis storyline.
The actor was praised for both his resemblance to Steve McFadden and his powerful performance.
The episode even won the award for Best Single Episode at this year's British Soap Awards.
Coronation Street and Emmerdale humiliated at British Soap Awards as rival soap wins EIGHT gongs
EastEnders managed to secure a total of eight wins in its 40th anniversary year.
Meanwhile, addressing his EastEnders exit last year, Max Bowden admitted he was suffering from burnout and knew it was time to step away.
'The important thing was my time was ready. I was very tired, and like I said, I wasn't me, I wasn't,' he said candidly.
'The Max sat in front of you today was kind of a ghost - and they recognised that. I recognised that.'
British Soap Awards 2025: Winners List
Here's who took home trophys at the 2025 British Soap Awards
Best Single Episode - Eastenders: Phil's Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985
Best Young Performer - Emmerdale
Scene Of The Year - Eastenders: Angie Watts' Shock Return
Best Newcomer - Hollyoaks: Isabelle Smith as Frankie Osborne
Villain Of The Year - Eastenders: Navin Chowdhry as Nish Panesar
Best Family - Hollyoaks: The Osbornes
Best Dramatic Performance - Eastenders: Steve McFadden as Phil
Mitchell
Best On-Screen Partnership - Eastenders: Rudolph Walker & Angela
Wynter as Patrick & Yolande Trueman
Outstanding Achievement Award - Coronation Street: David Neilson
Best Comedy Performance - Eastenders: Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson
The Tony Warren Award - Emmerdale: Mike Plant
Best Storyline - Hollyoaks: Sibling Sexual Abuse
Best Leading Performer - Eastenders: Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater
Best British Soap - Eastenders
He continued: "I did nearly six hundred episodes in five years, which is a hell of a lot, and it was time for a rest.
"The character was tired, I was tired, they [the producers] were probably tired of me being tired.
"From an honest perspective, I think yeah, a lot of it was that I needed to go for a bit.
"I needed to go work on me, get myself back to a place of really good mental health, focus on healing and also be a dad."
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Viewers were blown away by Daniel's performance
Credit: BBC
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