Max Bowden's own love life would probably be deemed too unrealistic to be an EastEnders storyline.
The 27-year-old actor, who started his TV career in Waterloo Road before appearances in Casualty and Doctors, first set foot on Albert Square in 2019.
Max became the sixth person to play the iconic role of Ben Mitchell, taking over somewhat controversially from Harry Reid, who gracefully sent his successor some well wishes.
While Max has shone in the role of Phil Mitchell's son and received much praise from viewers and critics alike, it's his antics away from the cameras that have got everyone talking.
It's been reported that the actor left his pregnant ex-girlfriend feeling "heartbroken" and "humiliated" after embarking on a relationship with co-star Shona McGarty.
Shona, who plays Whitney Dean in the BBC soap, isn't the first colleague that Max has dated during his time in Walford.
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Max was in a long-term relationship with Danielle McCarney, who he met on the set of EastEnders when she was a show-runner.
The actor had described her as "the most beautiful woman on the planet" in a gushing post to wish her a happy birthday.
Sadly, it was revealed the pair had split up in June 2021 after two years together - but it was believed to be amicable with no one else involved.
A source close to the actor told the MailOnline that the former couple hope to remain friends after their break-up.
"Max and Danielle's split had been on the cards for a while," said the insider.
"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."
Their split happened just a month after Max's EastEnders co-star Jessie Wallace left a sexually explicit message on his Instagram post, which may have hinted the relationship was already over.
Max shared an old snap from the NTAs two years before - and the Kat Slater actress jokingly wrote: "'Remember… if you need a m***e to cry on…. I’m yer gal" with an accompanying winking emoji.
The response shocked followers of the post as they shared both their horror and amusement at Jessie's reply.
One fan commented: "I am speechless and laughing at the same time xxxx I love the love and banter between eastenders cast it makes me smile."
Another wrote: "@jessie.wallace_official Supportive m***e. I’m defiantly using this as a pick up line. Cheers Jess," alongside a string of laughing emojis.
Max then started a relationship with insurance executive Roisin Buckle , having met at a pub last summer before going public with their relationship towards the end of last year.
In a photo of the pair posted on his Instagram in February this year, Max wrote: "The course of true love never did run smooth" - William Shakespeare. Absolutely cringe but what a beautiful three days with this one."
However, the couple ended their romance and Max is said to have moved out of Roisin's home in early March.
A source that Roisin was "crying a lot" and her hormones had been "all over the place", while another commented that the couple agreed to work on their problems.
In April this year, it was announced that Roisin and Max were expecting their first child together and were determined to co-parent their baby together.
The following month, Roisin started an Instagram account called 'one_mum_and_a_baby' where she began posting updates on her pregnancy and snaps of her blossoming baby bump.
Alongside a pic of her ultra-sound scan, she wrote: "At the start of 2022 I found out at the age of 36 that I was to become a first time mum.
"Being a mother was never something I gave much thought to…I had all the things I believed I wanted in life. My cats, beautiful home, supportive friends and family and a partner I thought I had a long term future with.
"It was a huge surprise to find out the big news and it was the start of a whirlwind of emotions and hormones. Lots of bloody hormones."
"Fast forward six months…I’m now a single mum to be, very excited yet the future is all very unknown to me so I would like to document my journey.
"I also hope to meet other women going through the same life changing experiences whilst hopefully inspiring women myself."
That same month, Max was reportedly spotted leaving co-star Shona McGarty's home amid rumours of a blossoming relationship between the pair.
Shona was described as "a shoulder for him to cry on" for Max following his break-up from Roisin and the pair were spotted attending a country music festival together with another couple.
At the time a source told The Mirror: "Max and Shona are mad for each other. They have been spending quality time together for a while now.
"Max and Shona’s friendship is more enthralling than an EastEnders' plotline."
A pal of the two actors added: "Shona and Max have been friends for years now but they’re absolutely not in a relationship.
"Shona has been a great support for Max over the last couple of months and been a shoulder for him to cry on."
Max and Shona have not officially confirmed any romance, but he was seen leaving her home last month and holding hands with the actress at a kebab van.
Now a heavily-pregnant Roisin, who is due to give birth in August, has reportedly told a pal she is devastated by his new romance.
A source told The Sun : "It has been dreadful for Roisin, she feels humiliated and disrespected, she is expecting a baby and although she is a strong woman she feels very let down.
"She never expected Max to move on so quickly, she believed they were on a break, taking time out of their relationship to sort out their differences, having to see him and Shona together has been heartbreaking.
"When he was pictured leaving Shona’s home she had people asking her what was going on; work colleagues asking if she was OK about it all, which she found incredibly embarrassing... she feels like she’s at the centre of a real-life EastEnders plot."
Roisin's pal said during their time apart the mother-to-be didn't think he was involved with anyone else, but things had been "tricky" between her and Max for a few weeks.
She is said to have felt "heartbroken, humiliated and disrespected," with the friend saying it's been as though her entire world has been "crumbling around her" when the pictures emerged.
The source said although she feels "let down" by her ex-boyfriend, she now hopes that he will start being "more supportive" - with her "excited" to become a mother.
The Mirror approached representatives of Max and Shona for comment.
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