Phil Mitchell’s son to come out as gay

A dramatic new EastEnders’ plot will see Ben Mitchell reveal that he is gay.

A source told the Daily Mirror: ‘Since the day Ben returned to Walford, he’s been a bit of a disappointment for Phil.

‘With his love of musicals and dancing, Ben was not cast from the same tough guy mould as his father. It’s ironic that Phil’s efforts to turn his son into a mini version of himself backfire spectacularly when he encourages Ben to go boxing with Duncan.’

The London teenager, played by Joshua Pascoe, will share an intimate moment with Duncan, a newcomer to the BBC1 soap. The scene will happen at Albert Square’s local gym but Ben will then fight furiously to hide his secret from his domineering father Phil, played by Steve McFadden.

In the scene, the kissing teenagers are caught by Patrick Trueman, played by Rudolph Walker. Ben then threatens the frightened local shop-owner, leading Patrick to make a complaint to the police.

A furious Phil demands an apology from Patrick, which he refuses to make, leading to a war of words between the Mitchell family and most of the EastEnder’s residents.

The source continued: ‘No one could anticipate the chain of events this will spark around Walford as Ben tries to keep is sexuality secret from his father. Poor Ben is terrified of Phil’s reaction but the truth will out, sooner or later.’