{"id":48611,"date":"2024-03-28T07:30:12","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T06:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2016190"},"modified":"2024-03-28T08:21:34","modified_gmt":"2024-03-28T07:21:34","slug":"eastenders-airs-tearjerking-final-scenes-for-iconic-couple-in-early-bbc-iplayer-release","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/eastenders-airs-tearjerking-final-scenes-for-iconic-couple-in-early-bbc-iplayer-release\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders airs tearjerking final scenes for iconic couple in early BBC iPlayer release"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spoiler warning for Thursday 28th March 2024. <\/p>

By Lewis Knight\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 06:30 AM<\/p>

\n\n

*Warning: This article contains spoilers for Thursday 28th March\u2019s EastEnders, which was made available on BBC iPlayer at 6am.*<\/strong><\/p>\n

EastEnders<\/a> has aired emotional final scenes between Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) and Callum Highway (Tony Clay) aka \u2018Ballum\u2019 in its early BBC iPlayer release on Thursday.<\/p>\n

The BBC One soap has aired an abrupt exit storyline for Ben<\/a> after it was confirmed late last year that actor Max Bowden would be written out of the role this Spring<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Earlier this week, Ben was arrested during husband Callum Highway\u2019s birthday party for fraud<\/a> \u2013 later revealed to be credit card fraud committed when he left for the US last year in a misguided attempt to find a miracle cure for Lola Pearce-Brown<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Ben was absent during Lola\u2019s final hours and returned to tragic scenes and anger from his loved ones for his absence.<\/p>\n

Hoping for bail, Ben and his father Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) plotted for the former to flee the country with Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown) but he was denied bail<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Callum was also angry to learn that Ben lied to him<\/a> about being innocent of the crime he was accused of and took some persuading from Phil to see Ben.<\/p>\n

\"Ben\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden, right) was arrested earlier in the week for fraud, leaving husband Callum Highway (Tony Clay) distraught.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

When Phil\u2019s plotting was discovered by Ben\u2019s mum Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) and Lola\u2019s grandfather Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) about the plot, Lexi\u2019s stepfather Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) was furious at the plan and also blamed Phil for only putting his \u201cblood\u201d relatives first.<\/p>\n

However, Phil was apologetic to Jay and regretted his actions.<\/p>\n

In the end, Callum managed to pull strings and paid a visit to Ben in his cell and admonished him for his actions over the past year and beyond, with everything in their relationship being centric to Ben and leaving Callum feeling like a \u201cpassenger\u201d.<\/p>\n

Callum encouraged Ben to plead guilty, not fight the charges, and then be able to get a shorter sentence and return home to him and Lexi sooner, reminding Ben that Lexi will have her family and two dads Callum and Jay to take care of her.<\/p>\n

Ben ended up agreeing but decided to end their marriage and encouraged Callum to be free and pursue fresh love with other guys in London.<\/p>\n

Praising Callum for becoming his authentic self, Ben said he never expected to love so strongly again since losing his boyfriend Paul Coker (Jonny Labey) but that Callum is the best thing that ever happened in his life.<\/p>\n

\"Max\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Ben (Max Bowden, left) and Callum (Tony Clay) have been through so much together.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

An upset Callum then walked away after Ben sat down and said it was over.<\/p>\n

However, Callum soon marched back and refused to lose Ben and said he would stand by him and never leave him. Callum refuses to move on with any other guy and let Ben push another person he loves away,\u00a0 <\/span>maintaining he will be at home waiting for Ben when he gets out of prison.<\/p>\n

Callum reaffirms his love for Ben \u2013 touchingly also through British Sign Language (BSL) which he learned when Ben was suffering from hearing loss \u2013 and Ben tells \u201cCallum Highway-Mitchell\u201d that he loves him too as they transfer kisses to each other\u2019s lips via their fingers.<\/p>\n

As Callum leaves, the episode ends with Ben Mitchell crying in his cell in actor Max Bowden\u2019s final scenes in the role, having taken over as the sixth actor to play the role in 2019.<\/p>\n

\"Max\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Max Bowden waves goodbye to the role of Ben Mitchell in EastEnders.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Writing on Instagram ahead of his final scenes being broadcast, Bowden penned: \u201cWell guys It\u2019s that time!<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been one hell of a ride! Thanks for taking Ben to your hearts and allowing my version into your lives. I had an amazing five years at @bbceastenders<\/a> and learnt a hell of a lot about myself and the craft I love so dearly; it got me through some very hard personal times and I will be forever grateful!<\/p>\n

\u201cI really will never be able to thank everybody for the support enough, because the fans of the show are so passionate, caring, and invested and it enables us as actors to want to keep going and always be better; so I really do from the bottom of my heart appreciate every single person who has sent any sort of positivity my way over the last five years \u2013 I love you all.\u201d<\/p>\n

He concluded: \u201cBen Mitchell 6.0 [ticked box emoji, heart emoji] over and out [salute emoji, heart emoji] Goodbye EE! I\u2019ll miss you all. X\u201d.<\/p>\n

Despite this, Bowden already has a new role in the pipeline<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n