Ben is yet to learn his husband Callum Highway is having an affair
Ben will be joined by Stuart Highway for Jonno’s funeral
The latest batch of EastEnders spoilers revealed when Ben Mitchell returns as an ‘incident’ at school involving Joel Marshall sparks a ‘debate’ across Walford.
It was confirmed earlier in the year that Max Bowden is returning to the BBC soap for the first time since March last year.
Since Ben was sent to prison for fraud, his husband Callum Highway has begun having a heated affair with Johnny Carter.
The pair confessed their love after Johnny helped Callum in the wake of his dad Jonno Highway’s sudden death.
Jonno’s funeral will be held on Monday, October 6, as Kathy Beale rallies the rest of the Mitchell clan to support Callum. Callum asks Johnny to stay away from the funeral to avoid suspicion, and the pair kiss, unaware that Kathy has seen them.
At her café, Kathy tells the Mitchells about Callum’s actions who are devastated to discover his deceit. Phil Mitchell, Kathy, Billy Mitchell, Honey Mitchell, Ian Beale and Harvey Monroe collectively confront Callum, but he hits back with some home truths before heading off to find Johnny where he reveals he’s serious about their relationship and he wants him at the funeral.
Ricky Champ’s Stuart Highway makes his return to the programme, having been persuaded by Johnny, as Kathy and the rest of the Mitchells agree to keep the truth from Ben on the provision that Callum tells Ben and Lexi himself after the funeral. Callum agrees, but he’s shocked when Ben turns up to the funeral unannounced.
Max Bowden as Ben Mitchell in EastEnders(Image: BBC)
Meanwhile, a smitten Harry Mitchell and Gina Knight return from their weekend away, but Harry’s happiness is short-lived when Kojo Asare collapses in The Arches and he realises he is still working for Ravi Gulati and Okie. Harry attempts to speak to Ravi, but he dismisses him, forcing Harry to turn to his dad Teddy Mitchell for help.
Priya Nandra-Hart and Ravi Gultati reluctantly move back into No.41 with their kids Avani and Nugget following their house sale as Suki Panesar-Unwin attempts to build bridges with her family. Avani encourages Suki to reach out to her wife Eve Unwin-Panesar, and the pair agree to a drink
On Tuesday, October 7, Callum is shocked as Ben supports him at the graveside, as Johnny and Stuart work hard to keep the truth under wraps. Back in Walford, Phil and Kathy are thrilled to see Ben who explains that he was transferred to a UK prison for turning informant on his cellmate and was granted release for the funeral, but they’re both distracted by Callum’s infidelity. In The Vic, Johnny tries to convince Callum to remain quiet about their relationship, but the latter reasons he must tell his husband.
George Knight arrives home to check on his brother Kojo having been informed of his collapse by Phil, but George is too overbearing with his concern and Kojo shuts him out once again. Things get off to a rocky start as Eve and Suki meet for a drink at The Albert before Eve reveals that she wants to adopt a baby with Suki.
Teddy dissuades Harry from turning himself into the police and promises to sort it out with Ravi, but the gangster orders him out of his business. Later, Teddy asks Harry to take Kojo and Gina for dinner, and he makes an attempt to catch Ravi out and heads to Kojo’s flat but Ravi and Okie return and Teddy is forced to hide in the bathroom.
On Wednesday, October 8, Kathy and Julie Bates encourage Phil to visit Ben on his way to the airport as Priya is shocked when she spies Suki looking up information about adoption and soon realises that Suki is considering adopting with Eve. The family are quick to share their judgement of Suki as a bad mother and warn her off the idea.
Harry continues to evade George’s questions, as the pair grow concerned about Kojo. Gina and Anna Knight order George to stop smothering Kojo, but Harry pales to learn that Okie has booked a car show for Kojo away from Walford and he susses it’s a ploy for another job.
Vicki Fowler and Joel Marshall argue after he exerts misogynistic views once again as his dad Ross tries to handle the situation. A defiant Joel answers back and leaves, as it’s clear Vicki and Ross are at a loss of how to get a hold of his behaviour.
In a landmark episode on Thursday, October 9, an incident at school, started by Joel and Tommy Moon, raises debate in Walford as parents and their teens discuss the ramifications of the event, and the impact of harmful content online.
Difficult conversations are had between peers, parents and their children as age and gender both play significant parts in their differing perceptions to the incident. Kat, Alife, Ross and Vicki attempt to police Joel and Tommy on their misogynistic views, but things escalate at No.43 when Joel turns to violence and hits Vicki.
