EastEnders actor Max Bowden is once again grieving the death of a loved one.
The star, who plays Ben Mitchell in the long-running BBC1 soap, posted an emotional message on Instagram on Sunday.
Sharing a picture of his close friend Luke Goodings, he wrote: "Heart’s in bits right now. Lukey, will always love you, my bro. Rest easy now. Freestyle the s*** out of it up there."
Luke is seen outdoors, smiling, wearing a cream coloured top. The cause of his death is unknown.
Max, 26, has suffered three losses in less than a year. His dear friend and celebrity agent, Terry Mills, passed away in February after getting coronavirus.
Terry, 38, fell into a coma while away from the UK, and died from pneumonia.
He had previously survived cancer, and had taken a trip to Cancun in Mexico where he contracted the deadly bug.
Max said at the time, “I will love you until my last breath.
"You took me in when no one else would have me. You looked after me, and protected me when I was at my lowest. "
And in October 2020, Max revealed the sad news that his grandfather, had died from cancer.
He shared a heartbreaking picture showing him holding his grandad's hand, and the actor thanked the nurses who looked after him at the end.
Max wrote: "On Monday evening I lost my grandad to his battle with cancer.
"In his last weeks he was overwhelmed by the amazing love and care the @macmillancancer nurses provided him with.
"For that reason I am reposting my longest day challenge website in the hope of raising more money for them. Please give generously if you can. Thank you."
Max is the sixth actor to play Ben Mitchell in EastEnders, joining the cast in 2019. Recently, his character dropped a bombshell on his new husband Callum.
Behind the scenes Max recently laughed off a rude comment from his fellow star Jessie Wallace, who plays Kat Slater. She wrote an explicit message on Max's public Instagram page, presumably in error.
