EastEnders has already made a sneaky reference to Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) in the week his return to the BBC soap was reported.
As viewers know, his exit storyline saw the character jailed shortly after he was arrested for committing fraud during a trip to the US.
The mechanic shared a final heart-to-heart with doting husband Callum Highway (Tony Clay) while behind bars before being extradited back to America, where he has been serving his sentence.
Despite urges from friends and family to move on, Callum has remained devoted, and even went to visit him across the pond.
Now it looks like the two are set to be reunited, with Max apparently reprising his role for a brief stint.
‘Ben had a list of characters he wanted to bring back and Ben Mitchell was one,’ a source told The Sun.
‘It’s taken a little while to sort out but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year.’
‘Max agreed to return for a short stint after Ben pitched his comeback storyline,’ the source continued. ‘But who knows what will happen? It really does depend on Max.’
EastEnders had no comment to make when approached by Metro.
Eagle-eyed fans may have spotted a potential sneaky clue to his return plot, and it includes mum Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) and her archenemy Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).
In recent scenes, Kath’ was blackmailed by her former daughter-in-law, who was threatening to expose the fact she attacked her on Christmas Day.
The only thing that would buy her silence would be if she and Ian (Adam Woodyatt) signed over the chippy, pie shop and their family home – No. 45 Albert Square.
The Beales refused to cave so easily, forcing Cindy to take desperate action.
She oversaw an intimate conversation between Kathy and her lover Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman), and presented the footage to her. Naturally shocked, Kathy decided it was best to give her the keys to gay bar The Prince Albert.
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Later, in the pub, Cindy went back on her deal and decided to reveal the affair anyway.
Devastated that she’d lost one of her business assets, Kath’ admitted that there was actually a bigger personal loss, as being in the establishment reminded her of Ben.
After all, part of the reason she bought it was to strengthen the LGBTQ+ community in Walford, therefore supporting her son who came out as gay in 2011.
The off the cuff comment has left us thinking – will Ben return in a blaze of glory to snatch the boozer off wicked Cindy?
Let’s face it, Kathy could do with her son back in her life right now.
