EastEnders to air heartbreaking male rape storyline with Ben Mitchell

Soap fans are in for a treat this week, as Eastenders have announced the launch of its brand new spin off series, The Kimfluencer, which will kick off this Friday. The BBC soap's exciting new digital series will follow the journey of Albert Square’s very own Kim Fox (played by Tameka Empson) as she attempts to conquer the cutthroat world of social media influencing and make a name for herself.

Tilly Keeper made a big impression with some meaty storylines during her years playing Louise Mitchell on EastEnders before she was snapped up to work across the Atlantic. She’s one a talented quartet of young soap stars who have graduated to Hollywood after cutting their acting teeth on Albert Square. We've taken a look at Tilly's emerging fortunes, as well as the blossoming careers of three others who spent some time in the fictional Walford before spreading their wings - Himesh Patel, Ben Hardy and Mimi Keene.

Cheryl Fergison has celebrated her 11 year wedding anniversary with toyboy husband Yassine el Jamouni, 35, in a sweet post.The 56 year old, who recently embarked on a new career 10 years after leaving EastEnders, took to Instagram to share a black and white photo of them looking cosy together before she gushed in the caption: "It’s our wedding Anniversary 11 years of Love," followed by two red heart emojis. Hollyoaks star Nicole Barber-Lane couldn't help but share in their joy as she wrote: "Happy Anniversary you look fantastic," followed by a smiling emoji, a kissing emoji and a black heart emoji. Meanwhile, many of Cheryl's 30,400 fans also flocked to the comments section, where one person wrote: "Congratulations to you both on your anniversary.

Eastenders star Patsy Palmer, 49, posted an image of her with her son Fenton to celebrate his acceptance into the University of California. Last month, Patsy offered her Instagram followers the chance to access exclusive content - at the cost of £17.99, which angered some fans.Taking to Instagram, Patsy posted a black and white photo of her with her son Fenton, 21.She captioned the image with a heartfelt message, as she shared that he will be the first from “both families” to attend university.The 49-year-old wrote: “We are so proud of our son.“This is big news in our family.“He has been accepted into @ucla.“He has worked so hard for this and deserves the best life has to offer.

Former EastEnders actress Luisa Bradshaw-White has marked 16 years since she and her wife adopted their two daughters. Luisa, who starred on the hit BBC soap between 2013 and 2020, married her partner Annette Yeo in 2015, and the couple adopted their kids together in 2006.The pair’s daughters are biological sisters, and were adopted by Annette and Luisa when they were just three and four years old. Celebrating the special day where they officially began a family of four, Luisa shared a snap of them outside of court.

EastEnders actress Melissa Suffield has confidently posed on an Instagram video wearing lingerie as she slammed trolls and insisted she “doesn’t care” what people think. Melissa, who played Lucy Beale on the hit BBC soap, has taken to her Instagram page named The Confident Mama to share a video with her 36.4k followers to hit back at trolls for body shaming.

EastEnders character Babe Smith, whom she played for three years after being cast in December 2013.

Former Doctor Who and EastEnders actress Ann Davies has passed away at the age of 87. Her agent Barry Langford confirmed: "Sadly my lovely client of 34 years Ann Davies passed away yesterday. "A superb actress with TV credits including #DoctorWho and #TheSculptress, Ann was devoted to her beloved late husband #RichardBriers and their daughters Lucy and Kate.

The producers of EastEnders have confirmed that an upcoming storyline will focus on male rape, and will involve the characters of Ben Mitchell (played by Max Bowden) and the new bartender Lewis Butler (played by Aidan O’Callaghan).Trigger Warning: This story discusses male sexual assault, which might be distressing to some readers. For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.Ben Mitchell will be at the centre of a new storyline after his character is raped by Lewis.

MORE heartbreaking events are in store for Ben Mitchell as he will be involved in a male rape storyline. However, EastEnders viewers are fuming as they believe soap bosses have turned to Weatherfield for inspiration.

EastEnders stars Max Bowden, Jake Wood and Matt Lapinskas reunited at a celebrity football match on Sunday. The actors, as well as a range of other famous faces, played against Northampton Town for the Sellebrity Soccer match at Sixfields Stadium in Northampton.

EastEnders actor Charlie Wernham tied the knot with his fiancee Emma Collis in a breathtaking Essex Ceremony on Saturday.The 27 year old soap actor, who plays racist thug Aaron Monroe on the BBC soap, said "I do" to beautiful bride Emma at the Gosfield Hall wedding venue in Essex. Former Hollyoaks star Charlie and Emma's gorgeous nuptials were captured by and shared guests on social media including Daisy Wood Davis, who appeared in Hollyoaks at the same time as Charlie when he played Robbie Roscoe on the soap. Daisy posted a video of the wedding guests cheering as newlyweds Charlie and Emma held hands and walked down a set of stairs, which were decorated with some elegant white flowers.

EASTENDERS will feature its first male rape storyline next month. Viewers will see Albert Square's Ben Mitchell, played by Max Bowden, 27, become the victim of a shocking sexual assault by new barman Lewis, played by 33-year-old Irish actor Aidan O’Callaghan.

EASTENDERS' Max Bowden and ex-girlfriend Roisin Buckle have revealed they're having a baby boy. Insurance executive Roisin announced the happy news at a gender reveal party.

EastEnders star Clair Norris broke down in tears in a new documentary this week as she remembered being bullied for her weight when she was younger.The actress, known for playing Bernadette Taylor in the BBC soap, lead her first Panorama special on Wednesday as she discussed the UK’s obesity issue. As the conversation turned to bullying, Clair recalled the “name-calling” she faced during her childhood when she returned to her primary school in Thamesmead, though she didn’t remember the specific moments she was teased for weight. “This is probably where the name-calling would have happened, I don’t say it’s bullying that’s my own personal thing,” the 24 year old said.

EastEnders co-star June Brown, who died earlier this month at the age of 95. Annette spoke about how “strong” and “genuine” the Dot Cotton actress was in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk. On April 4 it was announced that June, who had played the iconic soap character Dot Cotton for many years, had died. June had appeared in 2,884 episodes of the BBC’s hit show EastEnders and fans were left heartbroken by the news. Annette, who appeared on the show between 2013 and 2017, shared an insight into June’s character.When asked if she knew the actress well, she described meeting her for the first time during a filming project in Switzerland years before they both appeared on the soap together. “We had more time off together then really,” she reflected.

EastEnders star Max Bowden is reportedly set to become a first-time dad as his ex-girlfriend Roisin Buckle has revealed she is pregnant.The 27 year old soap star who plays Ben Mitchell in the soap, split from the insurance executive, 36, earlier this year after a short romance that first saw them go Instagram official in October. And now it has been claimed that Roisin is expecting her first child with Max - and despite the pair having gone their separate ways, they will reportedly raise the youngster together. "Max and Roisin are delighted they're expecting a baby – even if they are no longer together," a source revealed.

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy looked a far cry from her iconic character Sonia Fowler during a night out with her friends and work pals recently.The 38 year old actress, who recently shared a rare insight into her life with fiance Marc Humphreys and children on a holiday, opted to dress up in full glam as she hit the town for drinks and dancing with a group of other women. Posting a series of snaps on her social media, the star beamed as she posed in the bar and sipped wine. In one full-length image, the star grinned as she showed off her svelte figure in a pair of light blue denim jeans, a black fitted top and lacy bra.

EastEnders actress Katie Jarvis, who played Hayley Slater on the BBC One soap, has avoided a prison sentence and been handed a community order following a drunken brawl in which she repeatedly cried out "black lives don't matter".The former soap star admitted racially aggravated harassment and common assault at Basildon Crown Court yesterday. Jarvis had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but changed her plea to a guilty one on the day of the trial.The incidents occurred in July 2020 when the 30 year old actress, who was drunk at the time, had spewed racist abuse in front of children while walking along a seafront in Southend-on-Sea.

The Sun, a source said: "Max and Roisin are delighted they're expecting a baby – even if they are no longer together."They broke up earlier this year, there was no one else involved, it just simply didn't work out."They went on to add that insurance broker Roisin was "thrilled" when she found out she was pregnant, and that her and Max have remained good friends."Although they have kept the news low key until now, they have told friends and family," the source continued to the media outlet.The Sun went on to report: "Those who know Max and Roisin could not be more excited."It has been a tough year for Max so he was delighted when he found out he is going to be a dad."The couple had been together since October 2021 and frequently shared romantic snaps to Max's Instagram page over the course of their relationship.Max joined the cast of EastEnders as Phil Mitchell's son in 2019, where he's married to policeman Callum Highway and dad to ex-girlfriend Lola Pearce.Despite Max bagging buckets of success on the screen in recent years, he tragically lost three of his close pals last year.This is a breaking showbiz story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly for the latest news, pictures and video.You can also get email updates on the day’s biggest celeb stories straight to your inbox bysigning up for our showbiz newsletter.Get all the very best headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on the day’s top showbiz stories by following Daily Star every time you see our name.

EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison, 56, married Yassine el Jamouni, 35, back in 2011 and since then the actress has been heavily criticised over their age gap, with some even claiming he is after her money. In a recent interview Cheryl has compared her relationship to Mick Jagger and his younger bride, while insisting her husband is not a "gold digger".Cheryl's shop assistant husband Yassine is rarely seen in public but has attended events with her at the start of their relationship.Speaking in a new interview, Cheryl hit out at criticism claiming those who disagree with her relationship are sexist.This is due to an age gap being seen as "quite cool" for Mick Jagger, 78, who is married to Melanie Hamrick, 35.She said: "The world has become so cynical.