Eastenders star Max Bowden, who plays bad boy Ben Mitchell in the BBC soap, has thanked friends for their help during his recent personal struggles.
The star took to Instagram to share a sweet note left for him by the show's costume department in a bid to raise the actor's spirits.
Max has played the role of Ben, the sixth actor to do so, since 2019; with the character's relationship with Callum 'Halfway' Highway and battles with hearing loss making him a fan favourite.
A note left for Max read, 'Hey Max, just wanted to say we know that you’re not great at the moment, but we are always here if you need a rant or a cry. Keep doing your best because we think you’re great. Lots of love, Annie, Inca, Becky and Meg (costume).'
Alongside the note, Max wrote, “I work with some amazing people ❤️”.
The star has had an incredibly difficult year following the sad loss of three close friends, as well as his split from long term girlfriend Danielle McCarney.
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In September Max took to Instagram to thank Maxwell Alexander Grey Thompson for being his 'best friend for 15 years'. While didn’t specify the circumstances under which his friend passed, he wrote, "The hole in my life you have left will never ever be filled”.
Following the sad loss of second friend Luke Goodings in June, the actor wrote on Instagram, "Lukey, will always love you my bro. Rest easy now. Freestyle the s*** out of it up there".
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Max’s third friend, celebrity agent Terry Mills, passed away in Mexico following his contraction of COVID-19; leading him to slip into a coma. The star shared a GoFundMe page before his friend's passing, in the hope of raising funds for his ever-increasing medical bills.
However, following his heartbreaking year, Max went Instagram official with his new girlfriend Roisin Buckle last month.
MailOnline reports that the couple were friends and grew close after Roisin was 'a great comfort to Max' following his string of losses.
The star shared a fun photo of Roisin wearing sunglasses, joking, “Sunglasses inside? Unnecessary no?”
A source told the publication, “Roisin has been a great comfort to Max, who's suffered a lot of heartbreak recently, with the loss of a close friend in June, and then devastatingly his best friend last month”.
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In other news, fellow EastEnders actor James Farrar, who plays Zack Hudson in the show, and his wife Ali Roff have welcomed their first child. Taking to Instagram the actor wrote, “Life will never stand still again and nor will I! #bobbinglife."
While they haven’t yet confirmed their baby’s name or gender, author Ali first confirmed she was pregnant back in July as she shared a selfie showing off her bump.
James wrote, "15 years ago Als came into my life. Every day I learn something new from you. I’ve never met anyone with such intelligence. Especially emotional.”
The proud dad continued, "I have just seen Ali go through a 9 month pregnancy; working full-time, smiling, dancing, singing, laughing. Seamless. I will adore our child but continue to adore your magic Als. You’ve impressed me more than ever through this pregnancy”.