Mysterious newcomer arrives to turn THIS EastEnders favourite's world upside down

EastEnders logo

There is a new character heading for Albert Square...

Next week's EastEnders will see a new character arrives our screens, set to help Ben through his ordeal of losing his hearing.

EastEnders fans will know that Ben has always been partially deaf, but his condition was made a lot worse during the fateful night of the Thames boat crash back in February.

Ben is at the hospital for his operation in EastEnders.

Ben went to hospital for his operation on Tuesday, but things don't quite go to plan... (Picture: BBC)

With him now barely being able to hear anything and relying fully on lip reading, Ben has been struggling to get used to his new normal.

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But thankfully doctors think they can help with Ben's loss of hearing and he is currently in hospital awaiting his operation.

However, it is bad news for Ben next week when he takes a turn for the worst, and everyone starts to worry about his health.

Viewers saw Ben heading to the hospital in Tuesday's episode, however he was already under the weather and running a temperature.

Callum is concerned that Ben is unwell in EastEnders

The doctor refuses to do Ben's operation when he's under the weather... leaving him fearing for his future (Picture: BBC)

But, determined not to miss his operation day, Ben is adamant that he is fine - until next week Callum and Kathy both realise he is hiding how ill he actually is.

Ben is left fuming when the doctor refuses to go ahead with his operation because of his bug, but he is later distracted when he and Callum see a girl called Frankie arguing with a doctor.

Later in the week Frankie makes another appearance when she is caught shoplifting by Callum, and it is only when he confronts her that he realises she is deaf.

As Callum steps in to help, he then asks her to come and talk to Ben, hoping that she might be able to give him some advice.

Phil is torn in EastEnders

Ben has his family's support, but will Frankie be the one to really get through to him? (Picture: BBC)

Of course, Ben isn't impressed with the idea. But could Frankie be the one to finally get through to him?

As we reported earlier in the year, EastEnders has worked closely with the National Deaf Children's Society as well as experts in the field to ensure that the storyline is portrayed as accurately as possible.

Speaking of her new role on the soap, actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, who will be playing newcomer, Frankie, said: "I am so excited to be joining the cast of EastEnders and I am equally proud to be one of the first deaf actresses to be part of this iconic soap. I can't wait for everyone to meet Frankie!"

Executive Producer Jon Sen added: "It has been a long time ambition of EastEnders to reflect the experience of the deaf community and Ben’s new story was the perfect opportunity to do that. We are thrilled to be working with Rose."

EastEnders will temporarily air a reduced schedule of two episodes a week. Watch on Mondays at 8pm and Tuesdays at 7:30pm on BBC One. 

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.