By Jack Wetherill,Liam de Brun

Copyright dailystar

EastEnders favourite Max Bowden has finally spoken out about his on-screen husband Callum Highway’s betrayal as Ben Mitchell prepares for his dramatic comeback. Over the summer, it was revealed that Ben actor Max would be making a flying visit to Walford for Callum’s father Jonno Highway’s funeral. Alongside Stuart Highway, the occasion is set to be explosive on the BBC drama, given that Ben remains oblivious to Callum’s romantic entanglement with Johnny Carter during his stint behind bars in America for tax evasion. In recent months, Callum and Johnny have gradually developed feelings for each other, leaving Felix Baker devastated after Johnny ended their relationship before his departure. Last week witnessed the duo grappling with Jonno’s shock reappearance on the show, more than five years since he cut ties with Callum over his relationship with Ben, reports the Manchester Evening News . Johnny remained by Jonno’s side during his final moments, subsequently deceiving Callum by claiming his father had begged for forgiveness before passing away. In reality, Jonno had expressed his continued contempt for his son right until the end, but Johnny and Callum declared their feelings for one another and shared a heartfelt kiss. With Ben’s homecoming just weeks away, Max has opened up about his thoughts on the storyline that has frustrated sections of the Ballum [Ben and Callum’s ship name] following. “I think you have to separate the character from the actor. The actor sees the reasons that Callum feels so torn and that place of isolation, loneliness and responsibility. “I think it makes sense that Callum has made the decision. I think Ben obviously doesn’t immediately see it that way, but I think reflection is important and it’s well written. “I do think they’ve written it well,” he shared on the Soap Scoop podcast. Max’s return to EastEnders , which he left last year, was first hinted at when photos of Callum and Ben sharing a hug on set surfaced online. “That wasn’t scripted – Tony Clay [Callum] and I just hadn’t seen each other for a while,” Max revealed. Having been portrayed by more actors than any other character in EastEnders history, including Charlie Jones and Joshua Pascoe, Max took over the role of Ben from Harry Reid in 2019 and quickly won over fans. Despite having been away from the show for a year, Max recently confirmed that he continues to be a dedicated viewer. “I watched it last night, funnily enough. Me and my nan watched it and I spoke to a few of the people – Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Slater, and Steve McFadden, who’s Phil Mitchell – last night, too. I told them it has been amazing,” he disclosed to Metro newspaper’s 60 Seconds column in April. Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter.