Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rebecca Cook

BBC responds to EastEnders viewer complaints with statement on Ben rape scenes

EastEnders has responded to BBC viewer complaints over Ben Mitchell’s harrowing rape scenes earlier this month.

The devastating storyline began after Walford troublemaker Ben, played by Max Bowden, exchanged barbs with husband Callum over his vigilante actions against homophobes, creating a rift between the couple.

When he later realised he had made a mistake deciding to go home with online hook-up Lewis Butler, Ben tried to leave.

But sex attacker Lewis (Aidan O’Callaghan) refused to let him go and raped him in horrifying scenes on the BBC soap.

The BBC has now responded to an influx of viewer complaints over the EastEnders story, which were part of a pre-announced storyline to raise awareness around the subject of male rape.

The BBC has now responded to an influx of viewer complaints (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

But a number of viewers took issue with the pre-watershed scenes, taking to Twitter to respond, with one commenting: “That genuinely made me feel sick to the core.”

One EastEnders fan said: “I had to turn it over.. I couldn’t” as another said: “That was awful to watch. Made me feel physically sick.”

Another wrote: “This was NOT suitable TV before the watershed.”

The BBC has now confirmed they received complaints from viewers who were “unhappy” with “some of the content” in the episode.

EastEnders viewers were left sickened by the scenes (BBC)

The BBC issued a statement in response, writing: “EastEnders has been a pre-watershed BBC One staple for over 37 years and has a rich history of dealing with challenging and difficult issues and Ben’s story is one of these.

“We have worked closely with organisations and experts in the field to tell this story which we hope will raise awareness of sexual assaults and the issues surrounding them.

“We are always mindful of the timeslot in which EastEnders is shown and we took great care to signpost this storyline prior to transmission, through on-air continuity and publicity as well as providing a BBC Action Line at the end of the episode which offers advice and support to those affected by the issue.”

The BBC issued a statement in response (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

EastEnders worked with relevant charities and experts to portray this hard-hitting storyline as sensitively and honestly as possible.

Subsequent episodes have shown the effect that the attack has on Ben, his relationship with Callum and the rest of his family as he tries to come to terms with the ordeal.

BBC Head of Continuing Drama Kate Oates said of the storyline: “We hope to explore issues of consent, sexual identity, masculinity, and sexual assault, focusing on how this fateful night impacts Ben and those who love him over the coming months.”

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One

*If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.