EastEnders announces new digital spin-off series The Kimfluencer

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 star Clair Norris shared some stunning pictures from her recent holiday to Tenerife on Saturday. The star, 24, who plays Bernadette Taylor in the hit BBC One soap, took to Instagram to share with her followers a glimpse of her "dreamy" trip. Clair paired a pink and white gingham dress with a tan-coloured handbag and her hair was styled into a chic bun, showing off a pair of gold disc earrings.

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.

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.

Eastenders icon Adam Woodyatt revealed he could end up working with a different kind of soap after being offered a job in a local cafe. The 53-year-old Ian Beale actor said he wanted to help out his pal who runs a cafe in Cambridge and joked he'd probably end up washing the pots. Adam, a favourite on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here last year, told the Daily Star : "My friend Daniel Clifford has previously offered me a bit of time working in his kitchen at Midsummer House restaurant in Cambridge, so I might go and do that for a couple of weeks.

EastEnders viewers have been left understandably confused after Janine Butcher, played by Charlie Brooks, revealed she has thousands of pounds in the bank. The mum-of-one returned to the Square last year with nowhere to live and unemployed, and managed to bag a job at the Queen Victoria to make ends meet.

Ex-EastEnders star James Alexandrou made a return to showbiz 15 years after leaving Walford. James, 37, is best known for playing Martin Fowler on the long-running BBC soap from 1996 until 2007 when he left the soap. He has kept a relatively low profile since.The role of Martin is now portrayed by James Bye, who first landed in Walford in 2014.

EastEnders icon Adam Woodyatt has made the decision to ditch booze altogether as part of a health kick as he embraces a new lifestyle.The Ian Beale actor has been a part of the Albert Square soap since 1985 and he is currently on a break from the show which gave him a chance to participate in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! last year. He has also undergone a major shift in his appearance in recent years as he has placed an emphasis on living a healthy lifestyle and has revealed he has quit alcohol altogether following a three stone weight loss.

Pam St Clement has been photographed for the first time in two years as she celebrated turning 80.The EastEnders legend, who recently looked unrecognisable in throwback pictures, is known for playing the role of Pat Butcher in the popular BBC show, but has kept a low profile since quitting back in 2012. Now, she's been seen in a snap on Kellie Shirley's Instagram feed, looking healthy and happy as ever as she marked her milestone birthday. Kellie, who portrayed Carly Wicks on the soap opera, shared a sweet snap for her 3,131 followers to see, which showed her laughing with her two kids as Pam sat close by.

Milly Zero looked sensational as she attended the Dreamgirls event at the New Wimbledon Theatre on Tuesday evening. Looking worlds away from her scheming EastEnders soap character Dotty Cotton, the 22 year old actress, whose real name is Melissa Jasmine Skye Zero, looked casually cool for the outing.The soap star, who recently begged Rylan Clarke to join the iconic soap, opted for an unbuttoned blue shirt that she wore atop a simple white vest that was tucked into a pair of baggy jeans. She completed the look with a pair of cool monochrome trainers as she posed up a storm on the red carpet with her hand on her hip.

Daniella Westbrook was glowing as she showed off her new nose during a cosy dinner with pals.The former Eastenders actor, 48, enjoyed a meal in London's Soho with two friends at the weekend. Sharing a snap on Instagram, the mum-of-two looked stunning and appeared happy, healthy and in good spirits following the latest reconstructive operation on her face. "Impromptu dinner @oldcomptonbrasserie with friends @mrmarkbyron @chrismforde gotta love a sunny Sunday in soho #friends" she posted.

Ex Eastenders actress Cheryl Fergison has revealed the heartbreaking moment her teenage son’s father disowned him upon learning that he was gay. The actress, who played Heather Trott in the soap, opened up to listeners on the The Hundamental Guide to Life podcast, as she talked about her relationship with her son, Alex. Cheryl, 56, couldn’t praise her son enough in the frank interview as she commended the young actor and writer and revealed how he had overcome so much adversity to become the success he is today.

Kim Medcalf made a welcome return to our TV screens in April, with the actress reprising the role of Sam Mitchell in EastEnders after 17 years.The 48 year old first starred on the soap as Sam back in 2001, when she took over from Danniella Westbrook, but she then left EastEnders in 2005. Earlier this year it was revealed that Sam was on her way back to Walford, with Kim taking over the role once again. It's safe to say Sam has made her presence known over recent weeks, and she's already started meddling in other Albert Square residents' business and dramas.

EastEnders’ Danielle Harold ditched her Lola Pearce character as she glammed up for a London event. She is best known for playing Lola in Eastenders but Danielle, 29, looked worlds away from her soap character at a Boohoo event.The actress wore a black ensemble, consisting of a NY State of Mind belted dress, jacket, small bag and open toed-heeled boots. She completed the look with coral nails.

Tilly Keeper made a big impression with some meaty storylines during her years playing Louise Mitchell on EastEnders before she was snapped up to work across the Atlantic. She’s one a talented quartet of young soap stars who have graduated to Hollywood after cutting their acting teeth on Albert Square. We've taken a look at Tilly's emerging fortunes, as well as the blossoming careers of three others who spent some time in the fictional Walford before spreading their wings - Himesh Patel, Ben Hardy and Mimi Keene.

Cheryl Fergison has celebrated her 11 year wedding anniversary with toyboy husband Yassine el Jamouni, 35, in a sweet post.The 56 year old, who recently embarked on a new career 10 years after leaving EastEnders, took to Instagram to share a black and white photo of them looking cosy together before she gushed in the caption: "It’s our wedding Anniversary 11 years of Love," followed by two red heart emojis. Hollyoaks star Nicole Barber-Lane couldn't help but share in their joy as she wrote: "Happy Anniversary you look fantastic," followed by a smiling emoji, a kissing emoji and a black heart emoji. Meanwhile, many of Cheryl's 30,400 fans also flocked to the comments section, where one person wrote: "Congratulations to you both on your anniversary.

Former EastEnders actress Luisa Bradshaw-White has marked 16 years since she and her wife adopted their two daughters. Luisa, who starred on the hit BBC soap between 2013 and 2020, married her partner Annette Yeo in 2015, and the couple adopted their kids together in 2006.The pair’s daughters are biological sisters, and were adopted by Annette and Luisa when they were just three and four years old. Celebrating the special day where they officially began a family of four, Luisa shared a snap of them outside of court.

EastEnders actress Melissa Suffield has confidently posed on an Instagram video wearing lingerie as she slammed trolls and insisted she “doesn’t care” what people think. Melissa, who played Lucy Beale on the hit BBC soap, has taken to her Instagram page named The Confident Mama to share a video with her 36.4k followers to hit back at trolls for body shaming.