Ben (played by Max Bowden) made his last appearance on EastEnders fleeing Walford on a ferry to France after the tragic death of his boyfriend Paul Coker (Jonny Labey) and the dramatic heist which saw the return of Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite).
After crook Aidan Maguire (Patrick Bergin) managed to convince his former cell mate and Ben’s father Phil (Steve McFadden) in helping him steal a small fortune from his ex-wife Ciara Maguire (Denise McCormack), the suddenly vanished.
With Aidan, Ciara and Mel desperate to get their hands on the cash, it was revealed to viewers of the BBC soap it was Ben who had managed to coax the money away from their prying hands and made plans to start a new life away from Walford.
His plans were thwarted when Mel switched the bag of cash with a sack full of newspaper after realising Ben had tricked her, leaving him penniless as he set sail across the channel.
However, after a year away from the Square and with a new face as actor Max Bowden, 24, takes on the role of the young Mitchell, Ben will soon make his return and he meets with his father and mechanic Keanu (Danny Walters).
New pictures from filming show Ben meeting with Phil and Keanu at a cafe away from the Square, as it seems the Mitchell man wants to keep his return low-key, not wanting to draw attention from Mel after tricking her.
The set up also paves the way for Keanu to return after weeks away from the Square, with many of his loved ones terrified for his safety after Phil sent the teenager on a job to Spain following his break-up from Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper).
Phil was convinced getting Keanu away from the Square was the best thing for a heartbroken Louise by his wife Sharon Mitchell (Letitia Dean) as a cover for wanting her own distance from the young mechanic following a secret and sordid affair between the pair.
Though Sharon was wracked with guilt when she realised her plan may have led to her young lovers demise, with recent scenes showing the mechanic beaten black and blue when Phil received intel from an associate about Keanu’s wellbeing.
Wanting to bring Keanu home after some harsh words from Sharon, Louise and Keanu’s mother Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley), Phil departed the Square for Spain and it
