Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown) suffers fresh heartbreak in EastEnders next week as her dad Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) is arrested for a historic offence – less than a year after losing her mum Lola Pearce-Brown (Danielle Harold) to a brain tumour.
Viewers of the BBC soap were left heartbroken last year as Lola passed away and was cradled by husband Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) and daughter Lexi.
The emotional episode ended with the sun rising over Albert Square as a fox strolled through the street – an animal which Jay had compared Lola to due to her feisty and mischievous character.
Lexi was understandably traumatised by the incident, but also remained level headed and mature for her age.
The youngster’s life is now set to be torn apart again in upcoming scenes as Ben is arrested for a previous crime.
After convincing him to arrange a special surprise party for his husband Callum Highway (Tony Clay) at the Queen Vic, happiness doesn’t last long and the police turn up to take him down to the cop shop.
Insistent that she should be kept in the loop with what’s going on, Jay promises to take her to the station so that they can chat.
Ben is delighted to see his daughter, but after a tough conversation she breaks down in tears and leaves.
Meanwhile, Ben puts in a request with his dad Phil (Steve McFadden) that causes concern for his mum Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) and before long she charges towards him demanding answers.
It’s a classic Mitchell brawl, and we can’t wait for it!
Later in the week, Callum will try and use his professional expertise as a police officer to get his husband off the hook.We know that this storyline is kicking off to coincide with Max Bowden’s exit after five years – will Ben be successful in his bid for freedom?
Ben Mitchell’s criminal past catches up with him in this week’s EastEnders after he’s arrested in shocking scenes. As fans of the BBC One soap will know, actor Max Bowden is is being written out of the show as Ben, the son of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), after five years in Walford.
In Monday’s trip to Albert Square (March 25), Callum Highway (Tony Clay) was wished a happy birthday by his family, including stepdaughter Lexi Pearce (Isabella Brown). But the copper seemed disappointed when it was clear that his husband Ben hadn’t planned anything to mark his special day.
Following some criticism from Lexi and her other stepdad Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) when Callum was out of earshot, Ben decided to throw his husband a party in The Queen Vic. However, the joyous occasion soon turned sour when the police showed up.
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DC Harry Crawford (Calum Finlay) entered the pub and interrupted the party to reveal that an international warrant was out for Ben’s arrest. As Ben looked on confused, the police officer confirmed that Ben was facing charges of fraud committed during his visit to the US last year.
EastEnders viewers will recall that Ben was absent during Lola Pearce’s tragic death last year as he was seeking miracle treatment for her in America. However, it seems Ben determination may have backfired.
As the police explained the reasons for his arrest Ben asked the police if they could deal with the issue away from Callum’s party outside but his loved ones soon followed. As the Mitchells stand out in the Square upset, Kathy saw the commotion and asked her son just what was going on. A panicked Ben looked at his mum in horror as Monday’s episode ended.
As the week continues on Tuesday (March 26), Ben will be seen protesting his innocence at the police station. Meanwhile, Callum and the rest of the Mitchell clan scramble to figure out what is going on, with Phil turning to trusted, and iconic, lawyer Ritchie Scott (Sîan Webber) and Lexi demanding answers.
As Ben makes a request over the phone to Phil, Wednesday’s episode will see Jay and Lexi pay a visit to Ben at the station but it doesn’t go well and Lexi storms out. Meanwhile, Callum will be refusing to see Ben amid his latest legal dramas but Phil does his best to try and bring the two back together.
However, it’s Phil’s behaviour that gets Kathy suspicious. Just what is her ex-husband up to? Finally, on Thursday, Callum finally appears to be pulling strings to help his husband out – but what will Ben’s fate be?
Who plays Ritchie Scott?
Sîan Webber, 65, has played Ritchie Scott since 2005. The trusty lawyer is always on hand to get the Mitchells out of hot water with the law, she has also helped other resident resolve his legal problems.
Webber is no stranger to television with a career spanning 36 years. Her first appearance was in the series Star Cops and Howard’s Way in 1987. She has also appeared in the shows Vera Highlander, The Bill, Waterloo Road, Silent Witness, Holby City, Grantchester, and more.
But can Ritchie Scott have Ben Mitchell from being thrown behind bars? EastEnders fans will have to wait and see.
