EastEnders viewers break down in tears at Ben Mitchell’s harrowing rape scene

Director Andrew Dosunmu’s latest film “Beauty” has caused quite the excitement after his last three feature films, based on struggling people in N.Y.C., performed with excellence at Sundance.

EastEnders actor Max Bowden has been seen allegedly leaving his co-star Shona McGarty's home as the pair are reportedly "inseparable" after Max's split from his pregnant lover. Max, 27, who plays Ben Mitchell, and Shona, 30, who plays Whitney Dean in the long-running soap, appear to have been growing a bond away from the screen. Max was seen leaving Whitney’s £650,000 home in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, on Wednesday morning in pictures obtained by The Sun.

EASTENDERS' star Ben sparks concern in upcoming episodes after his horrifying rape, leading Kathy to learn the truth. As we head into June Ben will still be suffering in silence, but it's not long before this sparks concern from those around him. Kathy begins to grow frustrated with Ben's behaviour, but Kheerat sees the situation slightly differently and can't help but become worried as well.

EASTENDERS hunk Max Bowden is pictured slipping out of Shona McGarty’s home after spending the night, as sources claim the duo are “growing closer”. The actor, who plays Ben Mitchell in the BBC1 soap, was spotted at his co-star’s house in the early hours of Wednesday morning — just days after The Sun revealed the pair had become inseparable.

EASTENDERS fans are sickened after Ben Mitchell lost everything following his rape ordeal. The mechanic - who is played by actor Max Bowden in the ITV soap - was raped by Albert bar manager Lewis Butler earlier this week.

EastEnders fans have praised Max Bowden, saying he should win an award after his recent storylines.His character, Ben Mitchell, became the victim of sexual assault during Monday's (May 23) episode after barman Lewis refused to take no for an answer.As the popular BBC programme opened, Ben was seen looking distraught as he made his way out of The Prince Albert following the aftermath of the assault.During the emotional episode, Ben confronted Lewis, explaining that he ignored his demands to stop while Lewis attempted to reflect the blame on Ben.Lewis had told Ben's husband that the pair had enjoyed a boozy night in Soho, which was certainly not the case.Fans instantly took to social media to share their heartbreak as well as praise. "Max Bowden better win an award for best actor otherwise I'm complaining to Ofcom #EastEnders," said one.

EastEnders fans were left "traumatised" following Ben Mitchell's harrowing sexual assault during Monday (May 23) night's episode.Over recent weeks, the character - played by Max Bowden on the BBC One soap - has been going through a difficult patch with his husband Callum Highway (Tony Clay).After yet another fight with Callum, Ben decided to drown his sorrows and download a dating app where he made contact with the new manager of The Prince Albert and bartender Lewis Butler (Aidan O'Callaghan).Ben and Lewis grew close as they spent an evening together, with Ben opting to go upstairs with Lewis as soon as The Prince Albert closed. While heading upstairs with Lewis, Ben received a text from Callum which saw him and Lexi pose for a selfie.After receiving the text, a sobering Ben could be seen having second thoughts and decided to call off his date with Lewis.While Ben tried to leave, Lewis refused to let him up and events soon took a horrifying turn.In harrowing scenes, the bar manager decided to rape Ben in the same location his mother Kathy was raped by Wilmott Brown years ago.The tough scenes had a devastating impact on EastEnders viewers.Posting to Twitter, fans of the soap said they were "traumatised" by the "sad" scenes and expressed their horror at the awful situation.One gutted viewer wrote: "Seeing Ben sobbing and fighting is so sad."Another tearful fan replied: "The MULTIPLE times he said no, saying it once should ALWAYS be enough!"Broke my heart watching how traumatised Ben was to the point his face was blank, he couldn't move, couldn't react, he couldn't believe THAT just happened to him."Meanwhile, a third fan said: "I'm traumatised.

EastEnders this week, when he is assaulted by Lewis.Following an argument with Callum, with both left wondering if this is the end of their relationship, Ben meets up with Lewis for drinks - but the night takes a devastating and harrowing turn.It is one of the many huge storylines that Ben Mitchell has been involved in throughout the years, since arriving on Albert Square in 1996 - including the murder of Heather Trott and the fake death of his mum Kathy Beale.During that time he has also been played by a total of six actors in EastEnders, including current star Max Bowden.Here Daily Star, takes a look at where the actors who played Ben Mitchell are now.Phil Mitchell and Kathy Beale's son Ben arrived on our TV screens in 1996, played by baby Matthew Silver.Matthew featured in over 14 episodes of the soap between 1996 to 1998, before the young child actor was replaced by Morgan Whittle.However, EastEnders is listed as Matthew's only acting role according to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), and little has been reported about what he has gone on to do since.In 1999, Morgan Whittle arrived on our TV screens as toddler Ben Mitchell, playing the role for two years until 2001.Although he only starred in 11 episodes of the soap during that time, his stint was one of the most dramatic, after mum Kathy Beale took Ben to South Africa - with viewers later believing that Kathy had died in an accident.Like Matthew Silver, the first actor to play Ben Mitchell, Morgan Whittle's only acting role is the soap according to IMDB - and it is not known what career Morgan later moved into, or what he is up to now.One of the actors to have played Ben Mitchell for the longest period of time was Charlie Jones, who took on the role in 2006 for

EastEnders fans have been left feeling upset after watching Ben Mitchell's harrowing rape scenes with bartender Lewis Butler. Character Ben, who is played by Max Bowden, has been developing a close friendship with the new manager of Prince Albert Lewis, played by Aiden O'Callaghan recently. But things took an abrupt turn for the worst when Lewis didn't take "no" for an answer on Monday 23 May evening's episode of the popular BBC soap opera.

EASTENDERS fans were left heartbroken at Ben Mitchell’s harrowing rape scene. In recent weeks, Ben Mitchell (portrayed by actor Max Bowden) has been getting friendly with new Prince Albert manager and bartender Lewis Butler (Emmerdale and The Witcher hunk Aidan O'Callaghan). However, the friendship took a very dark turn in Monday's episode.

EASTENDERS' Ben Mitchell is set to face the consequences of both his violent actions and his cheating in soon-to-release scenes. The Eastenders legend, played by actor Max Bowden, is having a tough time of it of late. Having spent his nights on the streets, committing shocking acts of violence, his is set to get into a massive row that could end his marriage for good.

EASTENDERS fans have spotted a chilling parallel in the soap's Ben Mitchell sex assault storyline. Viewers last night saw the Albert Square bad boy become the victim of rape at the hands of Prince Albert manager Lewis Butler.

EastEnders star Shona McGarty has become "inseparable" from her co-star Max Bowden, according to reports. Max became single earlier this year after splitting with his ex Roisin Buckle, who has since revealed she is pregnant with his child.The pair are committed to staying on good terms for the sake of their new arrival. Shona has been single since splitting from her electrician fiancé Ryan Harris in January 2020.

EASTENDERS’ stars Shona McGarty and Max Bowden have become “inseparable” after he split from his pregnant lover. Insiders say Shona, 30, who plays Whitney Dean, looks “smitten” with Max.

EastEnders’ Shona McGarty, 30, and Max Bowden, 27, have become "inseparable" after he split from his pregnant ex-girlfriend. Shona, who is known for playing Whitney Carter in the soap and Max, who plays Ben Mitchell, have spent some "quality time together", according to reports. A source told The Sun: “Max and Shona are mad for each other.

EastEnders is set to take a dark turn next week. In a heartbreaking scene, Ben Mitchell will be raped by Albert Square’s newcomer; bar manager Lewis Butler, played by Aidan O'Callaghan. BBC soap EastEnders viewers have seen Ben, played by Max Bowden, struggle recently after he and husband Callum were targeted in a homophobic attack, which has triggered painful memories of when Ben's first love Paul was killed in similar circumstances.The long-running soap has been working closely with various charities and organisations on the new storyline – including SurvivorsUK, Survivors Manchester and the Male Survivors Partnership – to ensure the storyline is portrayed accurately and approached realistically and with sensitivity in mind.

EASTENDERS hunk Aidan O’Callaghan has revealed he has landed a huge movie role - which has already started filming.  The Irish actor, who plays rapist barman Lewis Butler, shared news of his new role via a now deleted post on his Instagram. The soap actor, who will sexually assault Ben Mitchell in upcoming harrowing scenes, reposted a still of the movie’s location in Ireland.  The film - titled The Reckoning of Erin Morrigan - sees Lewis play a character named Col.

Actor Max Bowden faced one of his toughest challenges yet when it came to filming next week's episodes of EastEnders. After a fallout with Callum, Ben returns to his wild ways. But his flirting ends in a shocking rape ordeal as Lewis Butler won't take 'No' for an answer when Ben has a change of heart about sleeping with the Walford newcomer.

VIEWERS were caught by surprise when soap bosses made a few changes in Monday's EastEnders instalment. The long-running program is known to add in scenes that mention events happening off-screen.

WITH his marriage to Callum Highway on the rocks, Ben Mitchell is down in the dumps. But the EastEnders character is set to face more dark times after being the victim of rape, according to the actor who plays him, Max Bowden.

BEN Mitchell is set for more heartbreak and trauma as he will be part of an upcoming male rape storyline. The EastEnders character has had many hardships to handle, leading fans to believe this could be the end of the line for him.