Ben Mitchell is involved in a harrowing storyline in EastEnders this week, when he is assaulted by Lewis.
Following an argument with Callum, with both left wondering if this is the end of their relationship, Ben meets up with Lewis for drinks – but the night takes a devastating and harrowing turn.
It is one of the many huge storylines that Ben Mitchell has been involved in throughout the years, since arriving on Albert Square in 1996 – including the murder of Heather Trott and the fake death of his mum Kathy Beale.
During that time he has also been played by a total of six actors in EastEnders, including current star Max Bowden.
Here Daily Star, takes a look at where the actors who played Ben Mitchell are now.
Matthew Silver
Phil Mitchell and Kathy Beale's son Ben arrived on our TV screens in 1996, played by baby Matthew Silver.
Matthew featured in over 14 episodes of the soap between 1996 to 1998, before the young child actor was replaced by Morgan Whittle.
However, EastEnders is listed as Matthew's only acting role according to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), and little has been reported about what he has gone on to do since.
Morgan Whittle
In 1999, Morgan Whittle arrived on our TV screens as toddler Ben Mitchell, playing the role for two years until 2001.
Although he only starred in 11 episodes of the soap during that time, his stint was one of the most dramatic, after mum Kathy Beale took Ben to South Africa – with viewers later believing that Kathy had died in an accident.
Like Matthew Silver, the first actor to play Ben Mitchell, Morgan Whittle's only acting role is the soap according to IMDB – and it is not known what career Morgan later moved into, or what he is up to now.
Charlie Jones
One of the actors to have played Ben Mitchell for the longest period of time was Charlie Jones, who took on the role in 2006 for over four years.
After the Watford residents believed Kathy Beale was dead, Ben returned to Albert Square to live with dad Phil – and also showed a flair for dancing and singing in a lot of his episodes too.
However, Daily Star reported that Charlie was left devastated when the character was recast, so that Ben Mitchell could be involved in more 'adult' storylines, with the then 13 year old actor needing to be consoled by his on-set chaperone following the news.
Commenting on the recasting news, an EastEnders spokesperson said: "It's common practice in continuing drama to recast actors employed as children to take on more challenging adult storylines."
However, that was not the last that we saw of Charlie, who went on to study acting at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA).
Fans were delighted to see the now adult actor making a cameo in BBC drama series Noughts and Crosses in 2020, where he looked unrecognisable from his Ben Mitchell Days.
Since then, he has also starred in the Netflix film Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.
Away from our TV screens, Charlie is also in a long term relationship with actress Flora London, who has starred in TV series including Endeavour and McDonald & Dodds.
Joshua Pascoe
After Ben Mitchell was released from a juvenile detention centre, where he was sentenced to jail time following an attack on his friend Jordon Johnson, actor Joshua Pascoe took on the role.
Joshua played Ben Mitchell for two years between 2010 to 2012, with the actor revealing he was a life long fan of the programme, telling The Mirror: "it will be great to work with fantastic actors such as Steve McFadden and Linda Henry."
Ben later left Albert Square in one of EastEnders' most shocking storylines, when he murdered Heather Trott.
However, during Joshua's time on the soap, it is reported that he became embroiled in a controversy, after he was expelled from a stage school following bullying accusations.
In 2017, the actor was also filmed shouting at strangers, with passers by shocked by his vile racist rant, and a source telling The Sun: "Many of the people who overheard were offended."
Away from EastEnders, Joshua has also appeared in films including Just Charlie and a Suburban Fairytale, as well as TV series Not Going Out and short film Offbeat.
Harry Reid
After another spell in prison, Ben Mitchell was released in 2014 and recast, with Harry Reid taking on the role until 2018.
However EastEnders producers spoke out in 2018, when it was announced that Ben Mitchell would be recast yet again, as they wanted to take the character in 'a different direction'.
Despite the news that the character would be recast, Harry reached out to newcomer Max Bowden on Twitter to welcome him to the soap family, saying: "@MaxBowden Mate, just wanted to wish you the best of the luck. Re-casting can be hard on us, but they will grow to love you! Enjoy Ben as much as I did! Welcome to the Clan…I anoint you Ben the 6th. H x."
Max was delighted by the news and shared a sweet reply, saying: "Mate thank you so much, that honestly means a hell of a lot. I hope I can give it as much brilliance as you did."
With Max Bowden now playing the role of Ben Mitchell, Harry Reid has taken his acting talents to the stage, appearing in Agatha Christie's Witness For Prosecution.
He is also listed as appearing in a film called Die Before You Die, which is currently in post production.
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