EastEnders’ Ben Mitchell has made a sensational return to the show, making an unexpected appearance – and leaving husband Callum Highway stunned. Will Ben discover the truth about his spouse’s new relationship?

Ben has been serving a sentence in an American prison since last year, but in today’s episode it was revealed that he’s back in the UK, albeit still behind bars.

When a prison officer opened his cell, we got our first glimpse of Ben on-screen since 2024, and he was sporting a chain with a cross charm attached.

Meanwhile, back in Walford, Callum prepared for his dad Jonno’s funeral. He told Johnny, with whom he is exploring a new secret romance, that it’s best he doesn’t come – but Kathy caught the pair kissing in the pub.

Horrified, Kathy reported back to Harvey and Ian, then decided to confront Callum himself, slapping him in the Square for betraying her son.

Callum apologised for the way his relationship with Johnny had come out but defended himself and called Kathy a hypocrite for her own recent affair with Harvey.

At that moment, Callum’s brother Stuart arrived back in Walford for the funeral, and Callum realised that it was Johnny who had persuaded him to turn up.

The Mitchells told Phil about the affair, but Callum refused to apologise for his actions. Rather, the situation made him realise that he wanted Johnny at the funeral and that he wanted to pursue a serious relationship with him.

After some wise words from Harvey and realising that Callum was serious about Johnny, Kathy accepted their relationship – as long as Callum told Ben and Lexi the truth after the funeral.

Callum later stood at his dad’s graveside with Johnny and Stuart, and agreed to fly out to America to break the news to Ben as soon as possible.

However, he got a huge shock when Ben then showed up at the church, remarking, “think I’d miss a good funeral?”

How will Callum react, and will his controversial new romance be exposed to Ben?