Max Bowden feels \'EastEnders\' are telling the \'Ballum\' storyline "in the right way" after some viewers got in touch to say they now feel "happy to come out".
The plot recently saw Callum Highway (Tony Clay) reveal his true romantic feelings for Ben Mitchell (Max) shortly before he was due to marry Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), who he cheated on with Ben resulting in the pair splitting on their big day, and Max admits the plot has really resonated with a number of fans.
Speaking at the Inside Soap Awards at Sway Bar in central London on Monday night (07.10.19), he exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "The reaction has been amazing. We\'ve had people say they\'re happy to come out, they\'re comfortable with their sexuality.
Katie McGlynn and Max Bowden Reunite on Stage Following Brief Romance
"That\'s exactly what it\'s there for, and we feel we\'re telling the story in the right way now people are comfortable enough to come out and explore themselves."
Max has been involved in a number of hard-hitting scenes with his on-screen father Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell), and he feels fortunate to be working with such a soap legend.
He said: "I\'m very lucky to be working with Steve every day. He\'s a hero in soap, he\'s phenomenal.
"He\'s the ultimate professional."
The \'EastEnders\' newcomer - who scooped the Best Bad Boy award at last night\'s awards - loves to get his teeth stuck into "really long scenes".
He added: "What I love the most is when you get time. It\'s a very fast-paced show. When you do the work and you have those really long scenes, like a nine-minute one with Steve and I, you get the time to rehearse it more and shoot it.
"Those scenes where you\'ve got the craft before it is just perfect for me."
3 April 2026 - 5:52 AM
