Latest news with #MaxBowden
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Sex-mad soap stars who caused chaos on set…from actor with uncontrollable libido who bedded 1000s to Dales love triangle
WHEN sparks fly on-screen, it's not surprising that romance sometimes blossoms when the cameras stop rolling. That seems to have been the case for Casualty hunk Olly Rix, who's dating another female co-star just months after his whirlwind fling with actress Helen George on Call the Midwife. 18 18 The 40-year-old, who plays surgeon Flynn Byron on the long-running BBC show, has grown close to Anna Chell, 28, who plays nurse Jodie Whyte. An insider said Olly is enjoying a "blossoming romance" with Anna, while snaps of the couple carving each other's names into stone feature on Olly's Instagram account. Here we take a look at other soap lotharios who fell for their co-stars - including a messy love triangle in the Dales and a Corrie legend who admits to an "uncontrollable" sex drive. Co-star fling while ex was pregnant In May 2022, we reported how EastEnders star Max Bowden, now 30, had grown close to his co-star Shona McGarty, now 33, after splitting from his pregnant lover, insurance exec Roisin Buckle, now 40. The actor, who played Ben Mitchell, assured his girlfriend he was not seeing anyone else when they separated. But Roisin claimed she found out Max was in a relationship with Shona just weeks after their split - and said he missed key scans and events, leaving her in tears. She gave birth to a baby boy in September 2022. Meanwhile Shona and Max - who went Instagram official days before Roisin's due date - broke up after six months of dating, but remained on good terms. Opening up about the split in June 2023, Shona told the Mirror: "We're actually better than ever. It's a friendship, we're such in a good place. "You take a risk, and you do something and it doesn't work out, but that's life, you've got to take that risk." 18 18 18 Following his romance with Shona, Max moved on with fellow EastEnder Danielle Harold, 33, who played Lola Pierce. They secretly dated for a number of years before a bitter split which saw them unfollow each other on Instagram. Now Max - who was axed from EastEnders in December 2023 following a showdown with bosses over his party lifestyle - has gone public with his new girlfriend. He grew close to co-star Tori Allen-Martin 39, after appearing together on stage in the musical Midnight Cowboy. 'Axed over co-star romance' 18 18 Marc Bannerman, 51, was played lothario Gianni di Marco on EastEnders from 1998 to 2000 - having fibbed that he was half-Italian when he was actually born in Ireland. The heartthrob dated Loose Women's Nadia Sawalha, 60, while she too was appearing on the soap as businesswoman Annie Palmer, with whom his character had a fling. Marc was once so popular he claimed he had to donate a sack of knickers sent to him by female viewers to Oxfam. But he later claimed he was axed from EastEnders over his real-life romance with Nadia because it was lessening his appeal for female fans. After he was given the boot, Marc said he fell into depression, his weight ballooned to over 17st and his drinking spiralled. He told the Mirror: "I've not kept in touch with the other Di Marco actors because our departure was so traumatic. When I first found myself out of the show I didn't realise at the time but I started eating all the wrong things and I was boozing far too much." Marc was back in the spotlight in 2007 when he appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here - and controversially grew close to his campmate Cerys Matthews. He was in a relationship with his Footballer's Wives: Extra Time co-star Sarah Matravers at the time, and confessed to behaving like a "rat", having broken his girlfriend's heart. Marc said: "I just developed feelings for someone in there and I've got a Mrs at home, I'm a rat. I can't look for a scapegoat. The buck stops here." Marc and Cerys continued dating post-jungle, but called it quits a year later. Cheating scandal 18 Claire King 's Emmerdale character Kim Tate has had her share of agony, but the actress herself is no stranger to drama. In 1994 she married co-star Peter Amory, 60, who played her on-screen step-son Chris. But their 10-year marriage was derailed when he was accused of having an affair with Emmerdale co-star Samantha Giles, now 53, while Claire, now 63, was working on Bad Girls in London. While he and Samantha deny anything happening during the marriage, Claire was convinced it did. "I had a feeling that something was going on," she told the Mirror back in 2005. "I was working in London and we were spending less and less time together. I was travelling back to Yorkshire every weekend. "I remember Pete saying that I only came back to see my dogs and horses… and I thought: 'Well, yeah, and to catch you at it!'" Claire's suspicions were seemingly confirmed when Samantha's then-partner penned a letter claiming their spouses were indeed cheating. Claire also claimed Samantha had apologised to her at Richard Thorpe's funeral. 'Uncontrollable' libido 18 18 18 Bill Roache, 93, has played Ken Barlow since the very first episode of Corrie back in 1960 - and was a lothario both on and off screen. He cheated on his first wife Anna Cropper multiple times, something he has since expressed regret over. Speaking about his affairs - one of which was with fellow Weatherfield star Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie Tanner - he said: "There were plenty of girls around. "I didn't have any control over my own sex drive. I didn't have the strength to control it. Every morning I woke up regretting and hurting." He added that his fling with Pat was a "one-off" after she invited him round to her flat. "We had a few drinks, then one thing led to another," he said. "At that time, she had a reputation and I had a reputation, and she felt we should meet, as it were. It just happened." I didn't have any control over my own sex drive. I didn't have the strength to control it. Every morning I woke up regretting and hurting Bill Roache Bill and Pat then fell out after a row during filming and she didn't speak to him for two years afterwards. When Anna discovered her husband's infidelity she divorced him in 1974. In an interview with Piers Morgan on his Life Stories show, Bill told how his sexual antics led fellow Coronation Street actors to nickname him "C**k Roache". Piers also pressed him on the number of women he'd slept with, asking if it was 1,000 - to which Bill replied: "Well, I'm not denying it." He went on to marry Sara Mottram in 1978, with whom he shares three children, but they divorced in 2009 - though Bill insisted he was always faithful to her. Bill then dated TV weather girl Emma Jesson, nearly 40 years his junior, until 2013. The actor is now celibate, and claimed: 'I don't need a sexual relationship anymore. Everything works, but I don't have that need for sex I used to have.' Shocking love triangle 18 18 Things were frosty in the Dales in 2016 when it was claimed Danny Miller, now 34, was having an affair with his co-star Isabel Hodgins, now 31 - who was dating fellow Emmerdale actor Michael Parr, now 38. At the time, Danny was in a relationship with Hollyoaks actress Kirsty-Leigh Porter, 36, who found incriminating texts on his phone. It's said to have caused fireworks, with angry cast members splitting into two camps. The Sun reported: "The tension between them caused major problems on set, because Michael made it crystal clear he didn't want to be around Danny." Kirsty was said to be devastated at the betrayal after forgiving Danny's alleged infidelity with a prostitute when drunk. And Michael was believed to be furious with pal Danny for going behind his back, but he stayed with Isabel until they finally split in 2019. Danny is now happily married to childhood sweetheart Steph Jones, and the couple are expecting their third child. Toxic split 18 18 It's never wise to mix business and pleasure, but Tina O'Brien, 41, appears to have missed that memo. Aged 17, she dated Bruno Langley, 42, who played her on-screen boyfriend Todd Grimshaw, for a year. When their romance went south, five months later she moved on to Bruno's on-screen brother, Ryan Thomas, 41. Thankfully her ex gave them her blessing, and initially Tina and Ryan seemed to be one of the most stable soap couples - though Tina said their relationship was tempestuous at times due to her bad temper. The pair dated for six years and welcomed daughter Scarlett in 2008. But a month before Scarlett's first birthday, Ryan allegedly told Tina he didn't love her anymore, leaving her "devastated". Tina claimed: "He said I didn't do it for him any more. Those were his words. I was absolutely devastated. He said he didn't want the responsibility of a relationship with me." Both moved on, with Ryan happily engaged to former TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh, 33, with whom he shares two children. Tina married personal trainer Adam Crofts, but earlier this year she reportedly called time on their 14-year relationship. They share a son, Beau. She and Ryan occasionally make digs at each other on social media but have remained relatively harmonious - until Tina was accused of damaging her ex's car with a baseball bat during a late-night bust-up in March 2024.
The Sun
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders' Max Bowden pictured snogging new girlfriend for the first time ahead of shock soap return
EASTENDERS star Max Bowden has gone public with his new girlfriend - with a sweet birthday kiss. The actor - who will soon return to play Ben Mitchell in the BBC soap - had grown closer to co-star Tori Allen-Martin. 3 3 3 The Sun revealed earlier this year how Max, 30, had grown close to actress Tori Allen-Martin, 39, after appearing together on stage in the musical Midnight Cowboy. And now they have confirmed their relationship by kissing in a sweet post on Instagram during Tori's birthday celebrations. A source said: 'Max and Tori hit it off pretty much straight away. "They have the same sense humour and Max was always making her laugh, they just got each other. "Neither was looking for romance, it just kind of happened. "They're having a lot of fun together.' Glamorous Tori is known for BBC sitcom, Here We go, where she starred alongside Gavin and Stacey's Alison Steadman and Rivals actress Katherine Parkinson, as well as cop drama London Kills, as trainee detective Billie Fitzgerald. But he has been given another chance by the BBC soap's new boss Ben Wadey. A source said: 'Ben had a list of characters he wanted to bring back and Ben Mitchell was one. It's taken a little while to sort out but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year.' 'I wasn't me' reveals EastEnders star Max Bowden as he speaks out over controversial Ben Mitchell exit Max famously dated his co-star Shona, 33, before moving on with Danielle, 32, who he secretly dated for more than a year before they split. It was recently revealed that the couple were no longer on speaking terms and had unfollowed each other on Instagram. Real-life soap couples Soaps are renowned for their sweet and scandalous romances – but it's not just in scripted storylines where love is blossoming. A number of our favourite small-screen actors have fallen for co-stars and soapland rivals when the cameras have stopped rolling. Max Parker and Kris Mochrie Despite playing brothers Luke and Lee Posner on Emmerdale, the pair never actually shared any scenes together. But the pair still fell in love after meeting on set. Max and Kris got together in 2020, moving in together later than same year and got engaged in 2022. In a sweet Instagram post, the couple confirmed they're planning a 2025 wedding. Beth Cordingly and Ian Kelsey Beth, who plays Ruby Fox-Miligan, announced her love for her co-star Ian Kelsey, who played Dean Glover, shortly after she joined Emmerdale at the beginning of 2024. 'I am very in love with Ian and very happy. I think it really does work him being an actor too. He has been so fantastic," she gushed. Laura Norton and Mark Jordan Kerry Wyatt and Daz Eden actors Laura and Mark met on the set of Emmerdale in 2014. The couple, who got engaged in 2018, told Loose Women they spent a long time deciding whether they should "just stay as friends." Although it seems they were meant to be and the pair now share two children together. Zoe Henry and Jeff Hordley Emmerdale favourites Zoe and Jeff, who play Rhonda Goskirk and Cain Dingle met at drama college in 1994 and have been together ever since. While working together might be too much for some couples, that's definitely not the case for Zoe and Jeff. Zoe previously told The Sun: "Working on the same show as Jeff also helps because if one of us is having a bad day then the other will completely understand." Lesley Dunlop and Chris Chittell Lesley and Chris are another Dales romantic success story. Unlike some of the other soap stars, the pair who play Brenda Walker and Eric Pollard, are together on and off screen, officially tying the knot in 2016. They also adore working together, but have clear home-work boundaries. "We make a point of not talking about Emmerdale when we're at home, though – that would be just too sad, wouldn't it?" Chris revealed. Sally Carman and Joe Duttine Abi Franklin and Tim Metcalfe actors Sally and Joe got together after meeting on the set of Coronation Street in 2017 and they tied the knot in July 2022. But unlike some of the Emmerdale stars, Sally and Joe prefer that their characters don't interact much. Sally previously admitted it "would be horrendous" to work on a storyline with Joe because "he's too funny." Anthony Cotton and Peter Eccleston Sean Tully may have been unlucky in love on the cobbles, but in real life Antony's met his Prince Charming. The soap star started dating long-term partner Peter in 2005, after they met when he was working as an assistant props buyer on Corrie. Jane Danson and Robert Beck Corrie favourite Jane Danson tied the knot with soap star Robert Beck in 2005. The actress, who plays Leanne Battersby, shares two children, Harry and Sam, with the former Brookside star. During their marriage, Robert has also done a stint in Weatherfield playing criminal Jimmy Dockerson. Caroline Harding and Chris Gascoyne Chris, who played pub landlord Peter Barlow, married soap star Caroline in 2002. Although she is best known as an Emmerdale star, Caroline did visit her husband at work when she did a two-episode stint as doctor on the Manchester soap in 2020. The couple share a daughter called Belle, plus two children, Pip and Freddie from Caroline's previous marriage. Nadine Mulkerrin and Rory Douglas Speed Nadine Mulkerrin, and Rory Doulas Speed are known for their Hollyoaks alter egos Cleo McQueen and Joel Dexter. The loved-up pair got engaged on a December 2018 trip to Amsterdam - just over a year after they announced they were dating. They now share two kids, Reggie and Dougie. Sophie Austin and Shayne Ward Former Hollyoaks star Sophie, whose best known for playing villain Lindsay Butterfield, was introduced to singer and ex-Corrie star Shayne through mutual friends. She gave birth to their daughter Willow in December 2016 and they welcomed a son in 2022. A TV insider said: 'Max just can't help himself when it comes to his co-stars. "He has this energetic charm that the ladies seem to love.'
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders fans convinced star has QUIT BBC soap after ‘disappearing' from screens without explanation
EastEnders fans are convinced one star has quit the BBC soap after 'disappearing' from screens without explanation. Lexi Pearce, played by Isabella Brown, has not been seen on-screen since the show's 40th anniversary episodes, which aired four months ago, back in February. The character, whose parents are Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) and the late Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold), is about to turn 13 - but is nowhere to be found. She was played by Dotti-Beau Cotterill from 2012 until 2015, when the character left Walford for Newcastle with her mother Lola, who was seeking a better life there. Isabella took over playing the character in 2019 when the mum and daughter duo made their return to E20. But fans on discussion site Reddit are now worried the young actress might have left the soap - and could be replaced, as many child stars have been over the years. One viewer wrote on discussion site Reddit: 'Anyone know what's happening with Lexi? 'She hasn't been seen since the 40th anniversary and was rather absent prior to that too... 'With only nine appearances this year, I wouldn't be shocked to see her return with a new head [played by a new actress].' Another said: 'Looks wise, the actress reminds me a lot of the old Amy Mitchell so I wonder if they'll recast her soon to someone older/older looking.' Someone else hoped this would not happen: 'I hope she doesn't get recast. She's a great actress and it's nice to see a realistic looking teenager. Most teens are played by adults.' Some wondered if there was quite a simple explanation: 'Not every character has to be on screen all the time. It's one of the perks of having an ensemble cast.' Meanwhile, another stated, 'She's a child and has school', with someone else arguing back: 'So do the other child actors we see on a more regular basis.' Other commenters made the point other child characters have taken long breaks too, including Lily, Hope and Arthur - so Lexi's absence is not necessarily unusual. Fans on discussion site Reddit (pictured) are now worried the young actress might have left the soap - and could be replaced, as many child stars have been over the years But some felt even those characters have had more screen time than Lexi: 'Also, Lexi could be considered a legacy character seeing as Ben Mitchell is her dad and Lola is dead. So you would think they would want to show more of her.' Many fans hoped to see her back soon: 'I assume we'll be seeing more of her later in the year. 'Her and Lola's birthdays are coming up in July so it'd be nice if the show addressed it.' Amid the heavy debate, one fan tried to reassure all their fellow commenters: 'Lexi isn't going anywhere, she's just waiting her turn.' They made the point the actress is now at secondary school with a greater academic workload outside the show - so might just be taking some time off for that. Also, with a large ensemble cast now, it is hard to get screen time: 'It becomes even more the case for child actors who are not only more difficult to rota around (due to school commitments) but are also subject to child labour laws.' Her character Lexi is also unlikely to get a prominent role on-screen until her father Ben makes a permanent return, they argued. They also referred to the example of Lily Slater (Lillia Turner), the daughter of long-running character Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner): 'We had a big period of screen time for Lily, followed by ages off screen. 'Then recently she had all the Martin stuff [Lily's adopted father, who died earlier this year, and is played by James Bye] and now she's gone for ages again so the actress can do her GCSEs. It's just the way it is!' It follows fans raising similar concerns in December last year about another long absence Lexi had from the show. This came after Lexi's mother Lola tragically passed away from a terminal brain cancer diagnosis. To make matters worse, the young girl's father Ben was then jailed for fraud. But to the delight of fans, Lexi made her return for the soap's huge 40th anniversary week episodes in February this year. And actress Isabella's agent has previously confirmed she would continue to star as Lexi 'throughout 2025'. EJC Management posted on Instagram in December, saying: 'So very proud of this young lady! 'Our incredible Isabella Brown will continue to play the brilliant Lexi Peace throughout 2025 in BBC EastEnders. 'Isabella joined the square six years ago and seeing her grow as an actress is such a joy! 'Her dedication, drive, professionalism and work ethic is so inspiring from someone so young. 'She has had some amazing storylines and we can't wait to see what 2025 has in store for Lexi!'
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
EastEnders fans predict recast after huge character is rumoured to return – and it's a familiar face
EASTENDERS fans reckon a recast is on the cards with a very familiar face taking over. BBC viewers are convinced a legendary Walford resident is making a comeback. 4 New EastEnders boss wants Max Bowden to return as Ben Mitchell Credit: BBC 4 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." 4 Viewers were blown away by Daniel's performance Credit: BBC
The Sun
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders fans predict recast after huge character is rumoured to return – and it's a familiar face
EASTENDERS fans reckon a recast is on the cards with a very familiar face taking over. BBC viewers are convinced a legendary Walford resident is making a comeback. 4 4 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.' 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." 4
