‘EastEnders’ fans left feeling ‘sick’ after horror hate attack

EastEnders characters Ben Mitchell, Callum Highway, Eve Unwin, Stacey Slater and Ash Kaur
The group came under attack by a vile hate gang in 'EastEnders'. (Image credit: BBC / Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)

EastEnders viewers were horrified after a homophobic attack by Neil’s hate group left Callum Highway (Tony Clay) and Ash Kaur (Gurlaine Kaur Garcha) brutally injured.

The terrifying scenes unfolded during last night’s episode (Tuesday, Jan. 4), which also saw Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) freeze in fear as the gang savagely beat up his husband, Callum.

Neil’s gang, along with Aaron Monroe (Charlie Wernham), have been causing chaos amongst the Square over the last few weeks, first by attacking Keegan Baker (Zack Morris), then, planting a bomb in the building where the new mosque is meant to go.

Last night, while at The Queen Vic, Ben suggested to Callum that they should go out for the evening. Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) overheard the conversation and invited herself and wife Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) along with them.

As they walked to the station, excited for their night out, they bumped into Ash and invited her to join them. Turning down her mother, Suki Panesar’s (Balvinder Sopal) plans to have a family night in, she decided to join in on the fun of the night out.

However, when they reached the train station, things took a nasty turn as Neil’s gang called them a homophobic slur. A furious Eve confronted them and the gang began attacking the group. 

Ash was knocked unconscious and was tended to by Stacey and Eve, meanwhile, Ben was frozen in fear and unable to help Callum as he watched him be violently attacked.

Ben Mitchell was terrified as he watched the gang brutally beat up Callum Highway.

Ben Mitchell was frozen in terror as he watched the gang brutally beat up Callum Highway. (Image credit: BBC)

Troubled Ben is still living with the trauma of losing his boyfriend Paul Coker (Jonny Labey), who was killed in a homophobic attack while they were on a night out together.

Fans at home were quick to voice their heartbreak of the shocking hate crime, with some finding the scenes hard to watch.

See more
See more
See more
See more
See more
See more

EastEnders next airs tomorrow at 7:30pm on BBC1— see our TV Guide for full listings.  

Grace Morris
Staff Writer

Grace is a digital writer with WhatToWatch.com, where she writes series guides, recaps and features for must-watch shows and delivers all the latest soap news and reactions. She graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in 2020 with a degree in Writing and Film Studies, which only made her love for creative writing, film and TV grow stronger.


You'll usually find her watching the drama unfold in the latest reality series or much-loved UK soaps (usually with chocolate by her side!). She's an expert in EastEnders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and everything reality-related from Selling Sunset and Married At First Sight UK to 90 Day Fiancé UK. Plus Netflix megahit Virgin River!


Grace also likes to explore new places with her friends and family and, of course, watch and read about the latest films and TV series.