EastEnders star Max Bowden, 25, is one of the newest residents to join the cast and is the sixth actor to play the role of Ben Mitchell. But eagle-eyed viewers claimed the soap star appeared displeased at the National Television Awards 2020 and refused to stand up for Emmerdale’s big win.
Max – who also lost out on the Best Newcomer gong earlier in the night – could be seen sat down and clapping slowly after rival ITV soap won the award.
People have claimed that the actor said something ot the effect of: “I’m not f***king standing up,” as he clapped during the award ceremony but it is unclear exactly what was said.
One fan tweeted: “Max Bowden saying ‘I’m not f**king standing’ is serious Ben Mitchell energy.”
“Did he just say ‘I’m not f***ing standing?'” one viewer tweeted.
READ MORE: EastEnders spoilers: Phil and Ben Mitchell’s downfall sealed?
“Yes he did! Brilliant! He was Robbed!” another agreed.
Many fans also took to the micro-blogging andclaimed Max had been “robbed” at the award ceremony.
“No one deserved that award more then Max Bowden. He had to come and take over a legacy character and has had people HATING him for it. Yet has made the character his own and garnered a fan base along the way. Sigh,” one fan chimed.
Another person commented: “The reaction in the room said it all. That award should’ve gone to @MaxBowden, we all know it #NTAs.”
Max has been involved in some major storylines on the BBC soap, including his relationship with Callum ‘Halfway’ Highway (played by Tony Clay) and being arrested for “killing” Keaunu (played by Danny Walters) saw him at the forefront of EastEnders last year.
He was not the only person to vent their frustrations at the award ceremony, as Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan decided to “boycott” the NTAs.
Also, Loose Women star Denise Welch reportedly stormed out of the ceremony after the team lost out to This Morning for Best Live Magazine Show.
The TV personality wrote: “I’m the car on the way home. Sick of doing the losers face and pretending to not care we didn’t win!! #ntas.”(sic)
