Max Bowden has cleared up ‘EastEnders’ fans’ concern that Ben Mitchell no longer wears a hearing aid.
The BBC One soap newcomer became the sixth actor to play the character – who is partially deaf in one ear after being diagnosed with meningitis as a youngster – when he made his debut on the show in April, but since Ben’s Albert Square return some supporters have questioned where his hearing aid has gone.
In a video on the ‘EastEnders’ Twitter account, Max said: "I just wanted to clear something up for everybody. There has been a lot of confusion about this on Twitter and Instagram and things.
"A lot of people have been asking about Ben’s hearing aid.
"I’d just like to show you guys that he is in fact still wearing one. This is the genius piece."
Max then displayed the tiny hearing aid, which viewers may not have spotted due to its small size, before popping it in his ear and heading off to shoot some more scenes.
He added: "It’s very small and a lot smaller than the one he previously used to wear, but it is still there.
"So Ben Mitchell is still Ben Mitchell, he’s just moving with the times so everything is a little bit smaller."
Some ‘EastEnders’ fans had previously voiced their concern about Ben’s apparent lack of hearing aid.
One wrote on Twitter: "So there is a new Ben Mitchell on @bbceastenders but I’m confused as to where his hearing aid is? We know he wears contacts now imagead of glasses but has his hearing miraculously sorted itself? (sic)"
Another posted: "why Ben Mitchell doesn’t wear glasses and hearing aid? Ben was born deaf or hard of hearing. A new Ben is not Ben, someone else is too many changes of Ben Mitchell. Has he found someone who are deaf with sign language exist that Ben may never knew? (sic)"
Someone else shared: "Why does Ben Mitchell no longer need his hearing aid? Has his hearing suddenly got better since he has been away? (sic)
Max recently admitted he was welcomed onto the set with open arms and enjoyed reuniting with Steve McFadden – Ben’s dad Phil Mitchell – again after first acting alongside him in panto when he was nine years old.
The former ‘Waterloo Road’ star said: "Steve has been great. He’s amazing to work with. He’s an absolute icon. Any questions I’ve had he’s been great with helping me answer them. So yeah, it’s great.
"I actually worked with him when I was nine. I did pantomime, so I had met him before, so that was a nice little common ground coming in.
"We had a little joke and shared a few photos of the time. Obviously it’s always daunting on your first day at work, it’s like your first day at school isn’t it? But Steve has been amazing, I’m very, very lucky."
Max Bowden clears up EastEnders’ Ben Mitchell hearing aid concern
