EastEnders fans make desperate plea about Ben Mitchell as dark twist 'sealed'

Several EastEnders fans made the same plea after seeing Ben Mitchell return to the BBC soap on Monday.

Max Bowden reprised his role after his exit last year. Since then Ben has been in prison in the US, but he made an unexpected arrival on Monday, for the funeral of his husband Callum Highway's father Jonno.

Jonno died suddenly recently, while Ben wasn't the only return in the episode. Callum was stunned to see his brother Stuart Highway turn up too, with actor Ricky Champ also making a comeback.

Of course Callum was no doubt worried about seeing Ben again without warning, given he's currently hiding a big betrayal. Callum cheated on Ben with family friend Johnny Carter, and things have got quite serious for the pair.

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Whether Callum will tell Ben the truth and whether this could mean an end for Ballum, as they are known by adoring fans, remains to be seen. But fans were left pleading with bosses as the episode played out, all sharing the same request.

Taking to X as the scenes aired, knowing there's more ahead, fans agreed now was the time to bring Ben back full time. Some wanted it so that Ballum could possibly reunite for once and for all.

Other fans simply want Ben and actor Max back on the show, hoping it will happen in the near future. One fan said: "Perm return," as another agreed: "Get Ben back permanently."

A third fan posted: "So when is Ben coming back permanently? I need to be done with this Callum and the abysmal Johnny storyline." A fourth added: "I love Ben and what him back on the show permanently."

Meanwhile one viewer theorised that Johnny could end up paying the price for getting with Callum. A fan said: "I hope Ben has Johnny killed."

Max spoke out about his return after the spoilers and pictures confirmed it last week, weeks on from the official announcement. He posted a pic of Ben handcuffed, stood beside Callum, Stuart and Johnny.

The actor wrote: "Look who's back. Was great to see the old faces and return for a brief stint with EastEnders. Tune in Monday to see it all unfold."

Ben features in more scenes this week, but will he find out what Callum and Johnny have been up to? Replying to Max's post, one fan said: "Yay, but we need you back for good." Another agreed: "We need Ben / Max back full time Callum and Ben only."

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , and Threads.