EastEnders’ Max Bowden larks about with former boss Kate Oates at the 2022 TV Choice Awards

EastEnders star Max Bowden puts on an animated display as he larks about and holds hands with former boss Kate Oates at the 2022 TV Choice Awards

EastEnders star Max Bowden put on an animated display on Monday night as he larked about with his former boss Kate Oates at the 2022 TV Choice Awards.

The actor, 27, who plays Ben Mitchell in the BBC soap, had earlier cut a dapper figure in a great suit as he posed on the carpet at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

However, the star – who was nominated for best soap actor – later appeared to let his hair down as he held hands with former EastEnders executive producer Kate, 43, outside the venue.

Good times: EastEnders star Max Bowden put on an animated display on Monday night as he larked about with his former boss Kate Oates at the 2022 TV Choice Awards

The pair appeared in a very playful mood as they joked about and giggled together backstage at the awards.

Kate, who is now Head of Continuing Drama at BBC Studios, looked fab in a peach patterned dress she joined Max and other BBC stars at the event. 

MailOnline have contacted representatives of Max for comment. 

It comes after Max had reportedly ‘grown close to co-star Charlie Brooks’ after ditching his party lifestyle. 

Suited and booted: The actor, 27, who plays Ben Mitchell in the BBC soap, had earlier cut a dapper figure in a great suit as he posed on the carpet at the London Hilton on Park Lane

Suited and booted: The actor, 27, who plays Ben Mitchell in the BBC soap, had earlier cut a dapper figure in a great suit as he posed on the carpet at the London Hilton on Park Lane

The soap star recently split from Shona McGarty following a six-month romance – as their relationship had made things ‘too complicated’.  

Sources claimed the pair decided to remain friends after Max welcomed a baby boy with his ex Roisin Buckle – but Max has found a new ‘shoulder to cry on’, his co-star Charlie, known for playing Janine Butcher on the BBC soap. 

A source told The Sun: ‘She’s been a bit of a shoulder for him to cry on too. Charlie is a great role model for Max.

Fun: However, the star - who was nominated for best soap actor - later appeared to let his hair down as he held hands with former EastEnders executive producer Kate, 43, outside the venue

Fun: However, the star – who was nominated for best soap actor – later appeared to let his hair down as he held hands with former EastEnders executive producer Kate, 43, outside the venue

‘They’ve become closer than ever on set and Max knows he can always rely on her for help.’

Max had a heavy summer partying and has reportedly decided to give it up after welcoming his first child. 

The insider explained it caused a number of arguments with Shona and ‘since then he’s grown closer to Charlie’. 

Max and Charlie’s representatives have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.  

Close: Max has reportedly 'grown close to co-star Charlie Brooks' after ditching party lifestyle

Close: Max has reportedly ‘grown close to co-star Charlie Brooks’ after ditching party lifestyle

A source told The Sun: 'She's been a bit of a shoulder for him to cry on too. Charlie is a great role model for Max.'

A source told The Sun: ‘She’s been a bit of a shoulder for him to cry on too. Charlie is a great role model for Max.’

TV CHOICE AWARDS 2022: NOMINATIONS

BEST DRAMA SERIES 

All Creatures Great And Small 

Bridgerton – WINNER

Death In Paradise 

Outlander

BEST FAMILY DRAMA 

Around The World In 80 Days

Call The Midwife – WINNER

Casualty

Doctor Who

BEST NEW DRAMA 

Heartstopper – WINNER

The Larkins 

Squid Game

This Is Going To Hurt

BEST ENTERTAINMENT SHOW 

The 1% Club

Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway

Gogglebox/Celebrity Gogglebox – WINNER

The Graham Norton Show

BEST REALITY SHOW 

Freeze The Fear With Wim Hof

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – WINNER

Love Island

Pilgrimage: The Road To The Scottish Isles

BEST COMEDY PERFORMANCE

Brenda Blethyn in Kate & Koji

Ricky Gervais in After Life – WINNER

Lee Mack in Not Going Out

Siobhán McSweeney in Derry Girls

BEST TALENT SHOW 

Britain’s Got Talent

The Great British Bake Off/Bake Off: The Professionals/The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer/Junior Bake Off

The Masked Singer

Strictly Come Dancing – WINNER

BEST LIFESTYLE SHOW 

Antiques Roadshow

DIY SOS: The Big Build

Holidaying With Jane McDonald

Long Lost Family/Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace – WINNER

BEST DAYTIME SHOW 

The Chase – THE CHASE

Pointless/Pointless Celebrities

Steph’s Packed Lunch

This Morning

BEST ACTOR 

Jonathan Bailey in Bridgerton

Daniel Laurie in Call The Midwife

Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders – WINNER

Ben Whishaw in This Is Going To Hurt, 

BEST ACTRESS 

Jenny Agutter in Call The Midwife – WINNER

Simone Ashley in Bridgerton

Jodie Comer in Killing Eve

Nicola Walker in The Split

BEST FACTUAL SHOW 

24 Hours In A&E 

Bradley & Barney Walsh: Breaking Dad

The Repair Shop

This Week On The Farm/Springtime On The Farm/Summer On The Farm/Winter On The Farm – WINNER

BEST FOOD SHOW 

Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted

The Hairy Bikers Go North

James Martin’s Saturday Morning – WINNER 

Sunday Brunch 

BEST SOAP 

Coronation Street

EastEnders

Emmerdale – WINNER

Neighbours

BEST SOAP ACTOR 

Max Bowden as Ben Mitchell in EastEnders

Mark Charnock as Marlon Dingle in Emmerdale – WINNER

Danny Dyer as Mick Carter in EastEnders

Alan Halsall as Tyrone Dobbs in Coronation Street 

BEST SOAP ACTRESS 

Kellie Bright as Linda Carter in EastEnders

Sally Carman as Abi Webster in Coronation Street

Paige Sandhu as Meena Jutla in Emmerdale

Gillian Wright as Jean Slater in EastEnders – WINNER

 

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