Since first arriving on our screens in 1996, EastEnders icon Ben Mitchell has been instrumental in a number of high profile storylines, ranging from child abuse, through to male rape and even the current ongoing storyline of Ben’s battle with Bulimia.

However, in his 27 year run, the character has been played by six actors in total, something which even prompted a long running joke among fans about how he had more iterations than Doctor Who.

And just like Doctor Who, Ben has also undergone a number of stark appearance and personality changes over the years, seeing him slowly evolve from a quiet and fun loving child, into a killer and wannabe gangster.

During one infamous gaffe back in 2020, three photographs of Ben played by different actors even appeared on our screens at the same time!

But who exactly were the actors that played Ben in the past and why was his role recast?

Matthew Silver (1996 – 1998)

The original Ben Mitchell to star in the soap was fresh faced Matthew Silver, who first arrived on our screens in 1996 as the adorable baby Ben.

Starring on the show for just 14 episodes in total, the youngster made his final appearance in April 1998, when the character of Ben vanished for an entire year before returning with a different actor.

Despite his early start on the soap, Matthew doesn’t appear to have gone on to pursue acting professionally and has since faded into quiet obscurity.

Morgan Whittle (1999 – 2001)

The second actor to play Ben was Morgan Whittle, who held the role for two years between 1999 and 2001.

Starring in the show for 11 episodes in total, Morgan’s final scenes as Ben revealed him being whisked away to South Africa by mum Kathy Beale.

Just like his predecessor Matthew, Morgan’s only acting credit was in EastEnders before he abandoned a career on stage altogether, with no further credits appearing on his IMDB page.

Charlie Jones (2006 – 2010)

Following the fake off-screen death of his mum Kathy, Ben would later return to Walford in 2006, this time played by Charlie Jones, who became a memorable addition to the cast as the all-singing, all-dancing Ben.

Returning to Walford to live with half-brother Ian Beale, Ben eventually moved in with dad Phil and evil stepmother Stella Crawford.

It was during this time that Ben was involved in a number of dark and harrowing storylines, including his abuse at the hands of Stella, without his father’s knowledge.

Despite earning widespread praise for his portrayal, executive producer Bryan Kirkwood decided to recast Charlie’s role in May 2010 as part of a revamp to take Ben’s character in a new direction.

Aged just 13 at the time, a distraught Charlie had to be “consoled” by his onset chaperone after discovering he was being given the boot after four years on the soap.

At the time, an EastEnders spokesperson commented: "It's common practice in continuing drama to recast actors employed as children to take on more challenging adult storylines."

As part of his exit storyline, Charlie’s iteration of Ben was infamously seen tackling his bully Jordan Johnson by smacking him over the head with a spanner – something which would see Ben shipped off to a juvenile detention centre.

For ten years, Charlie remained relatively absent from our screens, before finally returning in March 2020 when he appeared in the BBC One drama Noughts and Crosses – much to the delight of his fans.

Joshua Pascoe (2010 – 2012)

After 8 months away from the show, Ben was once again introduced to viewers, this time played by Joshua Pascoe, who appeared to be at least 5 years older than his predecessor.

Ahead of his arrival in Walford, Josh admitted he was excited for the future, as he told fans: “I've always watched the programme and it will be great to work with fantastic actors such as Steve McFadden and Linda Henry," said the actor.

"I'm really looking forward to this fantastic opportunity and making the role of Ben my own.”

In a change of direction for the character, Joshua’s version of Ben pursued a far grittier outlook as he transitioned into a wannabe gangster, something which echoed his father’s bad boy behaviour.

It was around this time that Ben also embarked on a relationship with Lola Pearce as he explored his sexuality, something which eventually lead to Lola falling pregnant with daughter Lexi.

EastEnders boss Bryan Kirkwood admitted that viewers may have struggled to connect with the new portrayal of Ben, prompting Josh to take a small break in 2011 as the role was re-assessed.

"We will see a softer side to Ben when he returns, but the character has evolved. The character has been brutalised in his young offenders' institute and he's also the son of Phil," confessed Kirkwood.

Josh’s time as Ben came to an end just one year later, when Ben shockingly killed Heather Trott and was charged with murder, before being given a four-year prison sentence for manslaughter.

Things weren’t so rosy in real life for the actor either, as his soap stint came to a controversial end after he was expelled from stage school over claims of bullying.

He was also the subject of further intense public scrutiny in 2017, after he was caught spewing a vile racist rant while out in London.

The former child star was filmed ranting in the streets to strangers, fuming about having no cash after losing his wallet, claiming: "Some f****** P*** probably took it [his wallet].”

A shocked witness at the time told The Sun: “He appeared to think that kind of racist language was nothing to be ashamed of. Many of the people who overheard were offended.”

Harry Reid (2014 – 2018)

The next actor to fill the role was Harry Reid, who took on the mantle of Ben from 2014 to 2018.

During his four years on the show, Harry became a much loved staple in the role of Ben, and at the time of his departure, it wasn't suggested at the time that the character would be recast.

Instead Ben was simply seen on screen, fleeing Walford after stealing cash from dad Phil and gangster Aidan Maguire.

However, newly-installed EastEnders boss Kate Oates revealed the reason she had replaced Harry and given the role to someone else just one year later.

Speaking to Digital Spy in 2019, she said: "I just want to take the character in a different direction and that's why I've gone for somebody different.”

"And I know that recasts sometimes ruffle some feathers and I know that sometimes people think they won't gel with that character the same way they used to.”

Despite being replaced, Harry couldn’t have been more gracious towards Max Bowden, the Waterloo Road star that had been selected to take over, as he even reached out on twitter t congratulate him on the casting.

Tweeting the actor, he wrote: “@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.”

In response, Max wrote: "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.”

Since leaving EastEnders Harry has swapped the small screen for the theatre stage, with a number of credits now under his belt including Agatha Christie's classic courtroom play – Witness for the Prosecution.

Max Bowden (2019 – Present)

Since 2019, Max Bowden has held the role of Ben Mitchell, with the character involved in a number of heartbreaking storylines, including his rape at the hands of Lewis Butler, the death of his former flame Lola Pearce, and now his ongoing eating disorder storyline.

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