EastEnders’ Max Bowden pictured snogging new girlfriend for the first time ahead of shock soap return ngocc

EASTENDERS star Max Bowden has gone public with his new girlfriend - with a sweet birthday kiss.

The actor - who will soon return to play Ben Mitchell in the BBC soap - has grown closer to co-star Tori Allen-Martin after appearing together on stage in the musical Midnight Cowboy.

Now they have confirmed their relationship by kissing in a sweet post on Instagram during Tori’s birthday celebrations.

A source said: “Max and Tori hit it off pretty much straight away.

"They have the same sense humour and Max was always making her laugh, they just got each other.

"Neither was looking for romance, it just kind of happened.

"They’re having a lot of fun together.”

Glamorous Tori, 39, is known for BBC sitcom, Here We go, where she starred alongside Gavin and Stacey’s Alison Steadman and Rivals actress Katherine Parkinson, as well as cop drama London Kills, as trainee detective Billie Fitzgerald.

Max, 30, was axed from his role as Albert Square’s Ben Mitchell in 2023 following a showdown with bosses over his party lifestyle.

But he has been given another chance by the BBC soap’s new boss Ben Wadey.

A source said: “Ben had a list of characters he wanted to bring back and Ben Mitchell was one. It’s taken a little while to sort out but Max will be back filming on Albert Square later this year.”

Max famously dated his co-star Shona, 33, before moving on with Danielle, 32, who he secretly dated for more than a year before they split.

It was recently revealed that the couple were no longer on speaking terms and had unfollowed each other on Instagram.

A TV insider said: “Max just can’t help himself when it comes to his co-stars.

"He has this energetic charm that the ladies seem to love.”