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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rebecca Cook

EastEnders next week: Ben's brutal attack, a surprise proposal and Bernie creates chaos

EastEnders fans have an emotional rollercoaster of a week in store, as Ben Mitchell’s struggles bubble over and Jean Slater gets down on one knee.

Ben, played by Max Bowden, has been reeling from a despicable homophobic attack he and husband Callum Highway (Tony Clay) were subjected to in January.

BBC spoilers have revealed that Ben's struggles will resurface when Callum is asked to be the face of a new campaign at work, which is aimed at the LGBT+ community.

Meanwhile, Jean’s (Gillian Wright) mental health continues to trouble the bubbly character, but she is on cloud nine when she proposes to Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman), only for him to be distracted by his own troubles.

Elsewhere in Walford, Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) causes trouble at work, while Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) continues her downward spiral after hitting the bottle at Tina’s funeral.

Ben, played by Max Bowden, has been reeling from a despicable homophobic attack (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Here's everything coming on EastEnders next week…

Sharon makes a shocking discovery about Ben

Callum is thrilled at being asked to front a new LGBT+ campaign next week on the soap, but husband Ben is uneasy, amid worries it will put their safety at risk.

When Kathy's new bar manager, Lewis, shows his support, Ben reluctantly offers his husband his blessing.

Sharon catches Ben attacking someone (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

While Callum notices Ben is uncomfortable about his new venture, he perseveres - only to become furious when Ben meddles in the situation and turns the offer down on his husband’s behalf.

His anxiety worsens when Ben later heads on a night out and witnesses yet more homophobic abuse.

When he finds the man involved, he attacks him - but Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) catches him in the act. Will she tell Callum what Ben did?

Jean pops the question to Harvey

Jean's behaviour has become of increasing concern to her nearest and dearest, prompting Harvey to put the brakes on their relationship.

Jean’s (Gillian Wright) mental health continues to trouble the bubbly character (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

But Jean is undeterred and Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty) and Martin Fowler (James Bye) spot her returning from a stag party night out in high spirits.

Jean’s daughter Stacey (Lacey Turner) tries to persuade her mum to see a doctor, but Jean is defiant.

When she spots the groom from her earlier festivities, he lets her catch the bouquet - inspiring Jean to get down on one knee before Harvey and pop the question. But what will he say?

Harvey is distracted as the shock of turning son Aaron (Charlie Wernham) into the police for his racially motivated crimes continues to wrack him.

Jean will get down on one knee before Harvey (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

As gang member Neil gets into Harvey’s taxi to target him with a menacing threat, what will he do to protect his son?

Bernie creates chaos after childbirth

Bernie has given birth to baby Roland and handed him over to Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ) and Rainie (Tanya Franks), so BBC fans will find her next week determined to get on with her life.

Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) offers her her old job at the call centre and although her mum Karen (Lorraine Stanley) advises Bernie to rest, she’s spurred on by advice from Kim Fox (Tameka Empson) into taking up the offer.

Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) causes trouble at work (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

Bernie seems to be distracting herself from thoughts of newborn Roland, as she refuses to visit him, only to stage a walkout when she reads her new contract terms.

When she then later sees Rainie pass by, she is only fueled on in her disruptive behaviour and refuses to back down at work.

Linda’s downward spiral after Tina’s funeral

Linda is now living at Sharon’s and licking her wounds after her daughter Nancy (Maddy Hill) rejected her.

When Nancy then finds bottles of alcohol in Linda's bag, along with a family photo, she regrets her coldness and reaches out to her mum.

Nancy later overhears a discussion between Martin and Zack Hudson (James Farrar) about Linda staying at the house and drinking so much around the kids.

How will Nancy deal with her mum's serious relapse?

EastEnders airs Mondays and Fridays at 8pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One.

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