More exciting clues about Ben Mitchell’s departure from EastEnders have emerged – and it looks like it could be tied up with dad Phil’s murky past.
Harry Reid, who plays the Mitchell mechanic, was spotted on location in Dover yesterday alongside returning star Tamzin Outhwaite, who’s coming back as Melanie Owen in the new year – the same time Ben’s meant to be departing.
Mel fled the Square back in 2002 after her husband Steve was killed. Steve was involved in a car chase with Phil – and a tiny baby Louise – and lost his life when his car blew up.
Mel was left to pick up the pieces and was arrested for being involved in Steve’s dodgy gangster business.
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Phil bailed Mel out of jail, but she scarpered, owing Phil £30k for the bail. Oh, and she was pregnant with Steve’s baby when she went.
So there’s a lot of history between Mel and the Mitchells – and it makes sense that Ben would get involved.
But what this means for Ben’s exit from the Square exactly, we’re still not sure.
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Perhaps Mel’s back to repay her debts – and Ben takes the money and runs? Or maybe Mel tells Ben something about his dad that’s so awful he can’t live near him any longer.
Thankfully, it doesn’t look like we will have to wait too long to find out as Mel will be back on our screens very early in 2018.
The BBC announced Mel’s big comeback last week after a day of drip-feeding clues to their social media pages.
Fans were apoplectic with joy about her return and flooded Twitter with their excitement.