Ben Mitchell

[Dutchgirl]

Ooh, whatever would Phil and Shirley say if they could see this?
It's EastEnders star Joshua Pascoe nipping off set for a sneaky cigarette - even though he is only 16 years old.
l
The lad, who plays troubled teen Ben Mitchell, son of Phil, was spotted puffing on a fag during a break from filming the show at Elstree.
Joshua left the set with the crafty smoke hidden behind his ear, before lighting up on his return - despite being warned by his chaperone that there were waiting photographers.

As Ben, Joshua is about to embark on a tough storyline that will see him embark on a relationship with another boy and try to come out to his dad.

So in the scheme of things, tough guy Phil probably won't think the smoking's too bad.

I would say him smoking is the biggest scandal. Shame on you Joshua

[alan45]

t's no secret that EastEnders' Patrick Trueman will soon be at the centre of a storyline with the Mitchells, but new spoilers have emerged today revealing more details of how things will unfold.

As we already know, Patrick spots Ben kissing newcomer Duncan later this month, leading the teenager to fear that Patrick will tell Phil what he saw.

Beyond that, even though Patrick (Rudolph Walker) promises to keep quiet, things soon turn nasty for the shopkeeper as Ben panics unnecessarily when he sees Patrick chatting to Phil (Steve McFadden).

Keen to ensure Patrick's silence, Ben (Joshua Pascoe) threatens him by throwing a brick through the window of the B&B, according to All About Soap.

When Patrick demands cash from Ben to repair the damage, Phil's troubled son cannot raise the funds - so he tries to warn off Patrick by heading to the Minute Mart, locking the door and starting to trash the place!

The situation reportedly escalates as Patrick finds himself being victimised by Ben, Phil and Jay. Later, though, Christian encourages Ben to open up over his true feelings - will his words have an impact on Ben or will he ignore them?

[lizann]

Why do Jay and Phil go after Patrick?

[alan45]

EastEnders' Patrick Trueman faces bullying and intimidation from the Mitchells next week as Ben's secretive behaviour has a big impact on Albert Square life.

As we reported last week, Patrick (Rudolph Walker) will soon spot Ben kissing his new love interest Duncan in The Vic's alleyway, causing the teen to panic and go all-out to ensure his silence - even though Patrick has already promised to keep quiet.

Ben (Joshua Pascoe) initially throws a brick through the B&B window to make a point, but the situation escalates when he barges into the Minute Mart, locks the door and starts to destroy the shop.

Phil (Steve McFadden) stumbles across the commotion just as Patrick has begun to lose his temper with Ben. Believing that Patrick locked Ben in and intended to harm him, Phil angrily threatens the shopkeeper when he refuses to apologise.

The Walford hardman's fury soon leads to a full-on bullying campaign as he orders Alfie to lay Patrick off at the pub, and also teams up with Jay to destroy Denise's car headlights.

Battle lines are then drawn on the Square as Heather moves out of Phil's in support of Patrick, while Denise publicly accuses Phil of racism at The Vic.

With the situation so tense, will Ben have the courage to clear Patrick's name and reveal what's really going on, or will he keep quiet?

[Perdita]

EastEnders star Steve McFadden has praised the soap's bosses for exploring Ben Mitchell's sexuality in a new storyline.

Ben, played by 16-year-old Joshua Pascoe, will share a kiss with new friend Duncan later this week - but it soon becomes clear that he is desperate to stop dad Phil from finding out he is gay.

Speaking of the plotline for the first time, McFadden explained that Phil would not immediately accept his son's sexuality if the truth ever came out.

McFadden told TV Choice: "I don't think Phil's more homophobic than the average man. If Ben said he was gay, Phil would think, 'He's just a kid. He hasn't had a relationship. He doesn't know what he is'."

The 52-year-old added that he has been drawing on his own experiences to support Pascoe during filming.

"When I was at drama school I played a gay character and had to take my clothes off on stage," McFadden explained. "I know how embarrassed I was, and I was 25 at the time - Joshua's only 16.

"But it's a great storyline for EastEnders to be doing and I think Phil's reaction is pretty common, so people will relate to it. Coming out isn't just about one person - it's about the whole family."

Pascoe joined the cast of EastEnders last year, taking over from Charlie Jones in the role of Ben.

[alan45]

EastEnders bosses have promised that Phil Mitchell's reaction to his son Ben's sexuality will be a big storyline for the soap in the months ahead.

Phil (Steve McFadden) lashed out at Ben (Joshua Pascoe) in last night's episode after the teenager came clean over his feud with Patrick Trueman, admitting that the tense situation began when the shopkeeper saw him kissing someone.

Although Ben did not explicitly state that he had kissed another boy, Phil realised what he was saying and was unable to accept the news.

EastEnders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood and scriptwriter Christopher Reason have now both revealed that there is a lot more to come from Phil and Ben's plotline.

Speaking on BBC Three's EastEnders: The New Moons, Kirkwood explained: "For me, what's at the heart of Phil is a man who is desperate to be a good father. The fact that he is so desperate to reach out to his son but doesn't quite have the words to do so - that's what makes that relationship so interesting."

He continued: "Phil is about as unreconstructed a man as it's possible to be. When Ben admits that he kissed a boy, I don't think it is much of a surprise to Phil. Actually, he's probably been dreading this news for many years.

"But it's still not something that he particularly wants to hear. And how Phil reacts really kicks off the next big story for the Mitchells."

Meanwhile, Reason added: "This arc that we're writing for Ben is a long one, and he will learn wrath from Phil."

Ben's storyline continues in tonight's episode of the soap as he makes a second attempt to confide in his father.

[Dutchgirl]

EastEnders bosses have promised that Phil Mitchell's reaction to his son Ben's sexuality will be a big storyline for the soap in the months ahead.

Phil (Steve McFadden) lashed out at Ben (Joshua Pascoe) in last night's episode after the teenager came clean over his feud with Patrick Trueman, admitting that the tense situation began when the shopkeeper saw him kissing someone.

Although Ben did not explicitly state that he had kissed another boy, Phil realised what he was saying and was unable to accept the news.

EastEnders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood and scriptwriter Christopher Reason have now both revealed that there is a lot more to come from Phil and Ben's plotline.

Speaking on BBC Three's EastEnders: The New Moons, Kirkwood explained: "For me, what's at the heart of Phil is a man who is desperate to be a good father. The fact that he is so desperate to reach out to his son but doesn't quite have the words to do so - that's what makes that relationship so interesting."

He continued: "Phil is about as unreconstructed a man as it's possible to be. When Ben admits that he kissed a boy, I don't think it is much of a surprise to Phil. Actually, he's probably been dreading this news for many years.

"But it's still not something that he particularly wants to hear. And how Phil reacts really kicks off the next big story for the Mitchells."

Meanwhile, Reason added: "This arc that we're writing for Ben is a long one, and he will learn wrath from Phil."

Ben's storyline continues in tonight's episode of the soap as he makes a second attempt to confide in his father.

It can be such a blow to fathers even when they know deep in their hearts that it is true.
Must say Steve Mc Fadden did a good job. He even broke into tears. He just didn't want to hear Ben saying it.

[parkerman]

It can be such a blow to fathers

Why?

[Dutchgirl]

Why?

Not meant as an offence, but from experience. Some dreams do get shattered.
And ofcourse there are always exemptions to the rule.

[Siobhan]

I kinda agree with DG.. most men don't take it well to hear their son is gay. I know a lot of fathers who don't even joke about their sons been gay.. it is not a majority but there is quite a few