EastEnders Airs Emotional Ben Mitchell Scenes After Divorce Bombshell – Could He Be Back for Good?
EastEnders delivered a heartbreaking yet powerful set of scenes in its latest BBC iPlayer release, as Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) faced the aftermath of his marriage ending — and opened up in rare, deeply vulnerable moments with his father, Phil Mitchell.
The fan-favourite’s short return to Walford has stirred both nostalgia and hope among viewers, with many now wondering: is this really goodbye, or the start of a long-awaited comeback?
Ben’s Return and the Heartbreaking Revelation
Ben returned to London for an emotional reason — to support ex-husband Callum Highway (Tony Clay) at his father’s funeral. But what he didn’t expect was the devastating news that Callum had moved on — and fallen in love with Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff).
The revelation shattered Ben, who responded in typical Mitchell fashion: with bravado, denial, and a determination to save face. However, once back in his prison cell, the emotional weight of it all came crashing down.
Phil and Kathy Reach Out
As a new day dawned in Walford, Phil (Steve McFadden) and Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) were both deeply worried about Ben. While Phil fumed at the sight of Callum and Johnny kissing in the Square, Kathy encouraged him to visit his son before flying abroad to see Louise.
At the prison, the visit took a surprising turn. Ben tried to mask his pain, insisting that he wanted to tell his daughter Lexi (Isabella Brown) about his split from Callum himself. Kathy disagreed, gently suggesting that it might be better coming from Callum, not in a cold prison visiting room.
Phil, however, saw through Ben’s act. Breaking from his usual tough-guy image, he opened up about his own mental health struggles, admitting that bottling up his emotions had nearly cost him his life.
The admission stunned Ben, who looked genuinely moved when Phil revealed he had sought help at a mental health facility.
A Glimmer of Hope
Phil’s honesty paved the way for one of EastEnders’ most heartfelt father-son moments in years. For the first time, Ben dropped his guard, admitting that Callum and Lexi were the only things keeping him going — and that now, with Callum gone, he felt completely lost.
Ben also revealed that he had “grassed” on his cellmate in exchange for a reduced sentence and a transfer from a U.S. prison back to the U.K., hoping it would bring him closer to Callum. That hope, however, has now been crushed.
Phil promised to visit regularly and bring Lexi to see him, while Kathy joked that maybe one day they could all do Ben and Callum’s dance routines together again — even persuading Phil to join in. The bittersweet moment ended on a rare smile from Ben, though his sadness was unmistakable.
Will Ben Mitchell Return to Walford Permanently?
When Max Bowden’s return was first announced earlier this year, it was billed as a short guest stint. However, the latest developments — including Ben’s sentence reduction and his transfer to a U.K. prison — have left the door wide open for a full-time comeback.
Narratively, it makes perfect sense. Ben was sentenced to six years for credit card fraud, and with nearly two years served, early release next year would be realistic.
If he does return, the new chapter could focus on Ben rebuilding his life as a single father to Lexi, while navigating a changed Walford without Callum or Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) by his side. And with Phil finally softening emotionally, EastEnders may have the chance to explore a more authentic, healing relationship between father and son.
A Powerful Turning Point
Fans and critics alike praised the performances from Bowden and McFadden, calling the episode “one of the most emotional in years.” For a character as complex and broken as Ben Mitchell, these scenes marked a rare moment of vulnerability and self-awareness.
Whether or not he returns full-time, one thing is clear — Ben’s story in EastEnders is far from over.