EastEnders star Max Bowden, 26, SPLITS from girlfriend Danielle McCarney

Max Bowden has split from long-term girlfriend Danielle McCarney, four weeks after co-star Jessie Wallace left a sexually-explicit message on his Instagram post.

The EastEnders actor, 26, who plays Ben Mitchell in the BBC1 soap, called time on the relationship with the former show runner after two years and it’s believed the decision was amicable.

Fans of the soap speculated at the time of Jessie’s crude post on a throwback picture of Max at the 2020 NTAs, in which she wrote: ‘Remember…if you need a m***e to cry on…I’m yer gal’, was a hint the pair were romantically involved.

Max’s followers were taken aback by the crude comment as they shared their shock and amusement online.

One fan penned: ‘Omg,’ alongside a crying laughing emoji while another said: ‘@jessie.wallace_official we need more Kat, Ben & Phil scenes ❤️’.

Another wrote: ‘@jessie.wallace_official Supportive m***e.I’m defiantly using this as a pick up line. Cheers Jess,’ in addition to crying laughing emojis.

Surprising! Fans of the soap speculated at the time of Jessie’s crude post on a throwback picture of Max at the 2020 NTAs

Lewd! Jessie appeared in on a joke as she typed on the post: ‘Remember… if you need a m***e to cry on…. I’m yer gal [winking emoji]’

 But MailOnline can reveal Jessie’s comment was simply a joke and Max was still with Danielle at the time.

A source close to the star said: ‘Max and Danielle’s split had been on the cards for a while.

‘The relationship was a whirlwind at the start but ran into trouble a few months ago. They tried to make it work but they decided to remain friends. Nobody else was involved.

Thoroughly entertained: Max’s followers were taken aback by the crude comment as they shared their shock and amusement online

‘Max is still very fond of Danielle and he’s gutted it didn’t work out. The consolation is at least they parted on good terms.’

An EastEnders spokeswoman said: ‘We never comment on personal matters.’ 

The split comes after a tough few months in Max’s life following the deaths of two of his close pals, plus the passing of his grandfather last September.

The Albert Square favourite lost best friend Terry Mills, the showbiz agent and manager, in February after contracting Covid-19 during a business trip to Mexico which later developed into pneumonia.

Last week, the talented actor revealed another of his oldest friends, Luke Goodings, had passed away after taking his own life. 

Time to move on: A source close to the star said: ‘Max and Danielle’s split had been on the cards for a while

Max urged people to talk about their mental health issues in the wake of his friend’s death, while also pushing a GoFundMe page to help contribute to the costs of the funeral.

The Woking-born performer is the sixth actor to play Ben Mitchell in EastEnders after joining the soap in 2019.

He’s won praise for his part in the soap’s biggest storylines since his arrival, which included his character’s same-sex marriage to

Callum Highway, played by Tony Clay. Max was nominated for the Best Newcomer gong at the 2020 NTAs but lost out to Peter Ash, who plays Paul Foreman in Coronation Street.

Max met Danielle while she was working on EastEnders as a runner and the actor posted many gushing messages about his girlfriend on social media.

Wishing her a happy birthday in April last year, he described her as the ‘most beautiful woman on the planet,’ adding ‘you are the gift that keeps on giving.’  

Happier times: ‘The relationship was a whirlwind at the start but ran into trouble a few months ago. They tried to make it work but they decided to remain friends. Nobody else was involved’