EastEnders legend returns with a big confession while Ben’s life is ripped apart in double exit drama
The long arm of the law is never far from the Mitchell family, and Ben (Max Bowden) might have run out of luck in EastEnders next week.
With the character set to depart the show in coming episodes, the family is shocked when he is suddenly arrested for a crime formerly committed.
As Phil (Steve McFadden) gets Ritchie on the case, Ben’s situation hangs in the balance, with husband Callum (Tony Clay) unsure of whether he can support him.
But when a chance can be grabbed using his profession, will Callum take it?
Elsewhere, there are secrets all round when Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) returns to Walford.
She has a bombshell that knocks Zack Hudson (James Farrar) for six, but she isn’t telling him the full story, as a subsequent confession proves.
And, of course, he is hiding something too – namely, his recent illicit kiss with Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa).
Monday March 25
Zack decides to throw a welcome home baby shower for Whitney in The Vic and reluctantly invites Lauren and Penny. After sensing his awkwardness, Lauren heads to Zack’s to smooth things over where she promises to keep quiet about the pass he made at her.
Later, Whitney arrives home alongside Britney who reveals that she is her new foster mum and after Whitney confirms the news, Zack storms out, furious that she didn’t tell him…
Callum attempts to save face when it’s clear that Ben hasn’t made any plans for his birthday, but after receiving pressure from Jay and Lexi, and Mitchell romance advice from Phil, Ben decides to throw Callum a surprise birthday party. Callum is touched by the gesture but things take a disastrous turn when the police arrive to arrest Ben.
Jean is shocked to see Jade back in the Square so soon after her hospital stay.
Dean leaves Jean in charge of Jade after a reporter from the Walford Gazette requests an interview.
Johnny interrupts the interview and offers to give a character reference on Dean. Whilst alone Jean presses Jade, and after discovering that Dean has been administrating her medication, finds the empty pill cases.
Dean arrives home as Jean is attempting to take Jade back to the Slaters, but he thinks on his feet and puts the blame on Jean.
Avani skips school and conjures up a plan to explain her absence. Priya’s flirty exchange with Martin is interrupted when she receives a text informing her of Avani’s truancy, as she and Martin head of in search of the teen before they find her in the playground.
Avani is amused when Ravi is jealous at Martin’s presence and later tells Nugget her plans – she wants to get Priya and Ravi back together.
Elsewhere, Amy is upset when Denzel chooses the gym over her and snaps when she lectures him on his fitness obsession. Denzel feels guilty before he receives a text informing him that his steroids are being delivered today…
Tuesday March 26
Ben protests his innocence as he is held at the Walford police station when details of a previous crime resurface. At home, tensions rise between Jay, Kathy and Phil, who calls in Ritchie for Ben, and it’s not long before an argument erupts.
Lexi arrives home in the middle of the family argument and demands to know the truth. Later, Ritchie arrives to speak to Phil, but Lexi is adamant she also deserves to know. Later, Phil takes a call from Ben as he shares a request…
Whitney finds Zack to clear the air. Sensing the tension between the pair, Lauren looks after Britney but it’s not long before she causes trouble in the Square.
Zack and Whitney continue to butt heads when they arrive home to the built cot, and he leaves as Lauren and Britney arrive. Whitney and Lauren have a heart-to-heart before Zack arrives home to try and build bridges.
Yolande and Denzel clash in the café when she questions him on his diet. Priya overhears and tells Yolande to remain firm.
Back at home, Denzel remains closed-down before a mysterious package arrives, which Yolande hides, determined to get to the bottom of his current struggles.
Priya asks Martin for a date, but Avani has other ideas and attempts to play matchmaker by feigning upset to Ravi that Priya is ill. Both men arrive at No.41 at the same time, but Martin gets the wrong idea and leaves as Priya is left angered by her daughter’s antics…
Wednesday March 27
Tensions remain high between Whitney and Zack as she reveals that she’s taking Britney on a shopping trip before Whitney intercepts Britney secretly discarding her sheets, having wet the bed.
Later, Whitney and Britney arrive home where Zack reveals he found food hidden under Britney’s bed and reasons that they need to tell the social.
Britney overhears and explains why before Zack opens up about his own fostering journey and takes her for a cooking lesson at Walford East. Whitney takes a phone call from the social, but Lauren overhears the conversation and presses Whiney who reveals all
Jay and Lexi visit Ben at the police station, but it’s not a smooth meet, and Lexi decides to leave.
Later, Phil and Callum have a heart-to-heart after he refuses to see Ben, and encourages him to give his son a second chance. Kathy grows suspicious by Phil’s actions and heads to No.29B to confront him.
Elsewhere, buoyed by Kat’s advice, Yolande attempts to get to the bottom of Denzel’s troubles at No.20 but he refuses to open up.
Yolande reasons that if he wants his parcel back, he is going to have to start talking. Priya and Avani chastise Avani for her actions. Ravi encourages Priya to go on a date with Martin at Walford East, which he accepts. At the restaurant, Priya and Martin hit it off.
Thursday March 28
The Mitchells continue to deal with the fallout of Ben’s arrest as Callum uses his profession to his advantage.
Lauren tells Whitney that she has to tell Zack the truth, but the pair are interrupted by Peter and his date who are on their way to Lauren’s 30th at The Albert.
At the party, Lauren reasons that she’s been too hard of Whitney following a conversation with Chelsea, as Whitney later promises to tell Zack the truth.
Nugget and Denzel make amends after he lies about his confrontation with Yolande.
Nugget speaks to Yolande at the Laundrette, but their conversation is interrupted when Kat finds Denzel stealing his parcel from Yolande’s bag in the cab office.
