EastEnders revealed the reason for Ben Mitchell’s off-the-rails behaviour this week, in heartbreaking scenes on Thursday.
The character has been lashing out for the past couple of weeks, leaving some of his loved ones concerned - and now it's been revealed it all comes down to him blaming himself over past events.
From staying out all night, getting drunk and starting fights, leading to him being brutally beaten, he’s been hiding what has really been going on.
In Thursday’s instalment, he was brutally attacked again after clashing with two men in the club.
But Lola Pearce managed to get to the bottom of his recent behaviour, realising there was something troubling her close friend.
After he snapped at their young daughter Lexi, she had enough and begged him to talk to her.
It’s then that an emotional Ben revealed the devastating reason he’s been hitting self-destruct, and punishing himself, with him still struggling with boyfriend Paul Coker's death.
It was this time three years ago that his boyfriend Paul was beaten to death in a shocking homophobic attack.
Ben was also beaten up in the attack, and his boyfriend’s murder has stayed with him ever since.
In emotional scenes Ben confessed he still blamed himself, stating he started on the men that killed Paul, but Lola was quick to remind Ben their actions were not his fault.
His recent behaviour comes from his grief and guilt for Paul, with Ben finally revealing all and leaving viewers in tears.
One fan said on Twitter : “Ben opening up to Lola that scene was so important,” as another said: “Poor Ben!! Paul's death still haunts him, no wonder he's lashing out.”
A third tweeted: “Punishing yourself for what happened to Paul. Oh Ben,” while a fourth echoed: “Ben is still grieving for Paul.”
EastEnders airs Mondays and Fridays at 8pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One.
