EastEnders fans thrilled as Albert Square legend makes surprise return

The producers of EastEnders have confirmed that an upcoming storyline will focus on male rape, and will involve the characters of Ben Mitchell (played by Max Bowden) and the new bartender Lewis Butler (played by Aidan O’Callaghan).Trigger Warning: This story discusses male sexual assault, which might be distressing to some readers. For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.Ben Mitchell will be at the centre of a new storyline after his character is raped by Lewis.

EastEnders star Max Bowden is reportedly set to become a first-time dad as his ex-girlfriend Roisin Buckle has revealed she is pregnant.The 27 year old soap star who plays Ben Mitchell in the soap, split from the insurance executive, 36, earlier this year after a short romance that first saw them go Instagram official in October. And now it has been claimed that Roisin is expecting her first child with Max - and despite the pair having gone their separate ways, they will reportedly raise the youngster together. "Max and Roisin are delighted they're expecting a baby – even if they are no longer together," a source revealed.

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy looked a far cry from her iconic character Sonia Fowler during a night out with her friends and work pals recently.The 38 year old actress, who recently shared a rare insight into her life with fiance Marc Humphreys and children on a holiday, opted to dress up in full glam as she hit the town for drinks and dancing with a group of other women. Posting a series of snaps on her social media, the star beamed as she posed in the bar and sipped wine. In one full-length image, the star grinned as she showed off her svelte figure in a pair of light blue denim jeans, a black fitted top and lacy bra.

EastEnders actress Katie Jarvis, who played Hayley Slater on the BBC One soap, has avoided a prison sentence and been handed a community order following a drunken brawl in which she repeatedly cried out "black lives don't matter".The former soap star admitted racially aggravated harassment and common assault at Basildon Crown Court yesterday. Jarvis had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, but changed her plea to a guilty one on the day of the trial.The incidents occurred in July 2020 when the 30 year old actress, who was drunk at the time, had spewed racist abuse in front of children while walking along a seafront in Southend-on-Sea.

Katie Jarvis has plead guilty to racially aggravated harassment after an altercation with a woman in Southend-on-Sea in July 2020.The former EastEnders actress, 30, plead guilty at Basildon Crown Court after she was heard shouting "black lives don't matter" during the street row in July. Jarvis, who played Hayley Slater on the soap, was arrested and charged with racially aggravated harassment, common assault and two counts of assault by beating. She originally denied the charges.

Lacey Turner gave fans a rare glimpse of her two young children as she shared cute photos of the little ones over Easter.The 34 year old posted a snap of daughter Dusty, two, and one year old son Trilby, whom she shares with husband Matt Kay, on Instagram. She captioned the post: “My world”, adding a white love heart emoji. In the photo, the two children are seen with their backs to the camera, huddled over a sofa side-by-side while watching the TV.

Cheryl Fergison has spoken out against those who have doubts about her marriage to toyboy husband Yassine el Jamouni.The 56 year old, who was recently seen busking a decade after her exit from popular BBC soap opera EastEnders, explained that when her son Alex, 22, asks Alexa a fact about his mum, it immediately responds with: "Cheryl Fergison is married to a goatherd from Morocco". Expressing her annoyance at this, Cheryl said: "Why's that the first fact that comes up? And it's wrong! "We don't have any goats. We've never had any goats near us! But that's the first thing people say.

Danny Dyer has reportedly signed up to an online drama school to teach acting lessons after his departure from EastEnders. The actor, 44, revealed in January that he would be departing the popular BBC One soap after nine years of playing Mick Carter and his "explosive" exit is set to air later this year. And now, according to new reports, Danny has signed up to London company I Am Pro, which is co-founded by co-star Charlie Brooks and costs £30 a month for budding actors.

EastEnders first landed on our screens back in 1985 and it has remained a firm favourite among soap fans ever since. The hit BBC One soap has introduced a number of iconic families over the years, from the Beales to the Mitchells, but one of the very first was the Fowlers. When EastEnders first launched, the Fowler family consisted of Pauline and Arthur, portrayed by Wendy Richard and Bill Treacher, along with the couple's three children Mark (David Scarboro), Michelle (Susan Tully) and Martin (Jon Peyton Price).

EastEnders star James Bye has shared a rare look inside his romance while posing with his wife Victoria. James and Victoria have been married for nearly a decade, after tying the knot back in 2012.

EastEnders has released new spoiler pictures teasing Sam Mitchell's, played by Kim Medcalf, explosive return to Albert Square. It was announced earlier this year that Kim would be reprising her role of Sam, which she played from 2002 until 2005.The role was previously played by Danniella Westbrook from 1990 to 2000 — the latter also briefly returned in 2009 and 2016.

Joe Swash left his fans surprised as he proudly unveiled that he had landed a new cookbook entitled Joe's Kitchen.The 40 year old first showed his culinary skills, or lack thereof, as he famously failed to boil an egg while competing on Celebrity MasterChef last year. While the former EastEnders star made some other mishaps throughout the show, his final dishes still managed to impress and secure his place in the final before he lost out to winner Kadeena Cox.

Former EastEnders star Maisie Smith's mum Julia is following in her famous daughter's footsteps as she was spotted filming scenes for the BBC soap. Julia was seen reading a script for the show, which made her talented 20 year old daughter shoot to fame thanks to the iconic role as Tiffany Butcher, which she played from 2008 until earlier this year.

EastEnders fans are calling for a "proper conclusion" and tribute for June Brown on the BBC soap, following the legendary actress' passing. Walford icon June died on Sunday 3 April at the age of 95. She played Albert Square's favourite elderly resident Dot Cotton for 35 years and has long remained one of the most popular characters on the show after first landing on the soap in 1985.

Eastenders actress June Brown was one of the show’s much loved stars after she played Dot Cotton for 35 years on the BBC soap.The TV star died "peacefully" at her home on Sunday at the age of 95 on Sunday 3 April. June first appeared on the BBC soap's set in July 1985, during the first year the show aired, appearing as Dorothy Cotton before she was lovingly nicknamed “Dot” later on by the cast and eventually viewers.

EastEnders actress June Brown and pop sensation Lady Gaga once met on the Graham Norton Show, and the interaction was one of the sweetest and most adorable moments to grace TV screens. The throwback comes as it was sadly announced that the Dot Cotton star, who appeared on the soap for 35 years, has died at the age of 95.

EastEnders legend June Brown has passed away at the age of 95, it has been announced. June, best known for playing Dot Cotton on the soap, is said to have passed away "very peacefully" at her home on Sunday 3 April.The Dot Cotton legend's family announced the news in a statement, shared through EastEnders, which read: "We are deeply saddened to announce our beloved mother, June, passed away very peacefully at her home in Surrey on Sunday evening, with her family by her side. "We would kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time." Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter.