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Pascoe took a break from the series in 2011, during which Kirkwood stated that viewers may have failed to connect with his portrayal of Ben, as it differed significantly from Jones'. He deemed Ben a "very complex character" and said, "we will see a softer side to Ben when he returns, but the character has evolved. The character has been brutalised in his young offenders' institute and he's also the son of Phil." Considering the character's potential, Kirkwood envisioned Ben and [[Jay Brown|Jay Mitchell]] ([[Jamie Borthwick]]) becoming the new generation of [[Mitchell family|Mitchell brothers]], following on from Phil and Grant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/scoop/a330277/eastenders-character-teasers-from-exec-bryan-kirkwood.html|title=Exclusive: 'EastEnders' character teasers from exec Bryan Kirkwood|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=18 July 2011|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|accessdate=13 November 2011}}</ref> |
Pascoe took a break from the series in 2011, during which Kirkwood stated that viewers may have failed to connect with his portrayal of Ben, as it differed significantly from Jones'. He deemed Ben a "very complex character" and said, "we will see a softer side to Ben when he returns, but the character has evolved. The character has been brutalised in his young offenders' institute and he's also the son of Phil." Considering the character's potential, Kirkwood envisioned Ben and [[Jay Brown|Jay Mitchell]] ([[Jamie Borthwick]]) becoming the new generation of [[Mitchell family|Mitchell brothers]], following on from Phil and Grant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/scoop/a330277/eastenders-character-teasers-from-exec-bryan-kirkwood.html|title=Exclusive: 'EastEnders' character teasers from exec Bryan Kirkwood|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=18 July 2011|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|accessdate=13 November 2011}}</ref> |
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ben is a troubled teen and we dont know what hes up to next |
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==Storyline development== |
==Storyline development== |
Revision as of 17:24, 7 December 2011
Ben Mitchell | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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EastEnders character | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portrayed by | Matthew Silver (1996–98) Morgan Whittle (1999–2000) Charlie Jones (2006–10) Joshua Pascoe (2010—) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Duration | 1996–2000, 2006— | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First appearance | 22 March 1996 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Classification | Present; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Introduced by | Jane Harris (1996) Matthew Robinson (1999) Kate Harwood (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Benjamin "Ben" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. The role has been played by four different actors. Matthew Silver appeared as an infant Ben from 1996–98, and Morgan Whittle played him as a toddler from 1999–2000. After a six-year absence from the series, Charlie Jones assumed the role of Ben in 2006. Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood axed Jones as part of a series revamp in 2010; the role was recast to Joshua Pascoe later that year.
Ben's primary storylines have seen him caught in the middle of a feud between the show's Mitchell and Beale families, abused by his stepmother, developing a burgeoning interest in dance and the arts, being sent to juvenile detention after attacking his bully and coming to terms with his homosexuality. He has been poorly received by television critics, dubbed "spooky" and "gormless" and nicknamed "Silly Elliot" by the Daily Mirror. Grace Dent of The Guardian has written several negative opinion pieces on Ben, stating that she has emailed the BBC a list of suggestions for humorous storylines in which Ben could be killed off.
Storylines
1996–2010
Ben is born in 1996 to Phil (Steve McFadden) and Kathy Mitchell (Gillian Taylforth).[2] He has meningitis as a baby, which leaves him partially deaf in one ear.[3] In 1998, Kathy moves to South Africa and takes Ben with her. She dies in a car crash eight years later, so Ben returns to England to live with his half-brother Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt).[2] He eventually moves in with Phil, after his father wins a long custody battle.[4][5] Ben dislikes Phil's new girlfriend Stella Crawford (Sophie Thompson), who in turn feels that Ben is intruding on their relationship.[6][7] She abuses Ben physically and psychologically, from burning him with a hot spoon, to threatening to kill Phil if Ben tells anyone about her actions.[7][8][9] Phil and Stella become engaged.[7] On their wedding day, Ben admits that Stella has been abusing him; she commits suicide by jumping from a roof.[2][10] Phil, a recovering alcoholic, begins drinking again in the aftermath, but resumes a life of sobriety for Ben's sake.[11]
Unbeknownst to Phil, Ben develops an interest in dancing. He secretly takes classes and passes a dance exam, and is ultimately able to gain his father's approval.[2] In March 2010, Phil's estranged daughter Louise (Brittany Papple) comes to stay with the family.[11] She steals Ben's diary and fakes an entry which suggests that he is gay.[12] In retaliation, Ben burns Louise's hand the same way Stella burnt his.[13] He later locks Louise in a summerhouse for a day, then pretends to find her to earn approval from his father. Louise blames Jordan Johnson (Michael-Joel David Stuart), an acquaintance of Ben's, but when Phil sees burns on Louise's arm, she reveals that Ben is to blame.[14][15] Phil worries that Ben is copying Stella, and punches him when he catches Ben about to burn Louise again.[16] Questioned as to why he hurt Louise, Ben claims that Jordan is bullying him. Phil advises Ben to fight back;[17] soon thereafter, Ben attacks Jordan with a spanner and leaves him with a fractured skull and ankle. His father warns him against admitting to the attack,[18] but Ben confesses and moves in with Ian.[19][20] His case is referred to the Crown Court, where he receives a twelve month sentence, reduced to eight months as he pleaded guilty, with five months to be spent in juvenile detention.[21][22] He is badly bullied inside, and asks his family not to visit him.[23]
2010––
Upon his release, Ben hits his father in the face; Phil responds by welcoming his son home with a hug.[24] When a drunken Glenda Mitchell (Glynis Barber) ruins Ben's welcome home party, he pushes her down a flight of stairs.[25][26] Ian gives Ben a false alibi, and he and Phil threaten Glenda into withdrawing her complaint to the police.[27] Ben begins secretly talking to Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison) via a dating website using a fake profile. He leads her to believe someone is interested in her, which leaves Heather devastated when Ben ends the prank by claiming that "Kevin" has died in a motor accident.[28] When Phil mocks Heather's grief, Ben admits his deception.[29] Heather realises that Ben needed someone to confide in and is able to forgive him, but Ben decides to leave Walford to stay with his grandmother Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor).[30]
Peggy encourages Ben to return home, and he and his father agree to make a fresh start.[31] He begins attending the gym, and shares a kiss with boxer Duncan Willis (Steven France).[32] They are later seen kissing by local shopkeeper Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker). Ben throws a brick through Patrick's window and confronts him in his shop.[33][34] Phil observes and misinterprets their altercation. He launches a vendetta against Patrick, which results in him being branded a racist.[34][35][36] Duncan confronts Ben about his treatment of Patrick, and tells him that their kiss meant nothing to him.[36] Ben eventually admits the kiss; Phil pushes him away, injuring him, and later walks out when Ben tells him he is gay.[37][38] Lola Pearce (Danielle Harold), a distant relative of Ben's, offers to have sex with him to test his sexuality. They sleep together and conclude that Ben is definitely gay.[39] Ben develops feelings for Christian Clarke (John Partridge), who is also gay. He tries to kiss him, but is mortified when Christian rejects him outright, and later claims that Christian touched him inappropriately.[40][41] Phil menaces Christian with a baseball bat, which prompts Ben to admit the truth. His father suggests that they try to accept each other for who they are.[42] Ben is concerned to discover that Lola is pregnant, however she says that he is not the father.[43]
Casting and characterisation
Having previously appeared as a baby and a toddler, Ben returned to EastEnders in 2006 played by child actor Charlie Jones. Jones was cast alongside Megan Jossa, who would play his cousin Courtney Mitchell.[44] While Ben is partially deaf, Jones is a hearing actor. The Guardian's Rebecca Atkinson suggested that, as only the second disabled character in EastEnders's history, Ben was introduced to fulfil a BBC quota. She criticised Jones' casting, and opined, "The use of able-bodied actors to play disabled characters is endemic. Maybe in theory there's nothing wrong with that, but while real disabled people are invisible it is downright offensive to persistently cast able-bodied people in disabled roles."[45] Scott Matthewman of The Stage sympathised with Atkinson's complaint, but defended Jones' casting: "it's hard enough to find good child actors who can cope with a soap opera environment at age 10, let alone ones that fit a character’s physical requirement set out the best part of a decade earlier."[46] Journalist Charlie Swinbourne, himself deaf, welcomed Ben's re-introduction for increasing high-profile deaf representation on television.[47]
During Jones' tenure, Ben was portrayed as being physically weak. McFadden described him as unable "to look after himself" when Ben was on the verge of being sent to a young offenders' institute. He subsequently took boxing lessons, and TV Mag's Gemma Quade noted that Ben "refuse[d] to take the coward's way out" and flee the country with his father, but nonetheless was reduced to tears upon receiving a custodial sentence.[48]
In May 2010, it was announced that Ben would be written out of EastEnders as part of the show's revamp by executive producer Bryan Kirkwood. A spokesperson said that his departure would be "one of the biggest storylines of the summer", with long-lasting repercussions.[49] Confirmation followed that Ben would be recast;[50] Joshua Pascoe assumed the part and expressed his enthusiasm to "[make] the role of Ben [his] own."[51] Pascoe first appeared on 13 December 2010.[52] Allison Maund of Inside Soap observed upon Ben's re-introduction that he bore "very little resemblance to the naive young boy he was before being sent down."[53] A later comment in the same publication contrasted the two portrayals; it described the character under Jones as "sweet young Ben, dancing around to Girls Aloud songs", and observed that as played by Pascoe, he seems "to be dancing to the Devil's tune these days".[54]
Pascoe took a break from the series in 2011, during which Kirkwood stated that viewers may have failed to connect with his portrayal of Ben, as it differed significantly from Jones'. He deemed Ben a "very complex character" and said, "we will see a softer side to Ben when he returns, but the character has evolved. The character has been brutalised in his young offenders' institute and he's also the son of Phil." Considering the character's potential, Kirkwood envisioned Ben and Jay Mitchell (Jamie Borthwick) becoming the new generation of Mitchell brothers, following on from Phil and Grant.[55]
ben is a troubled teen and we dont know what hes up to next
Storyline development
In 2007, Ben was part of a storyline in which he, his father, Ian and Peter Beale (Thomas Law) were involved in a car accident, when the Range Rover they were travelling in crashed into a lake. The scenes cost £1 million to produce and were filmed in Surrey over four days, partly in a specially designed stunt tank.[56] Jones had both a stunt double and dummy to supplement his scenes.[57] Despite being one of the most expensive stunts ever filmed by a soap opera, the episode drew EastEnders' lowest ever audience share and second lowest ratings due to a scheduling conflict with ITV's Emmerdale.[58][59]
EastEnders scriptwriters worked closely with the NSPCC on the storyline which saw Ben abused by Stella.[60] According to Thompson, the best aspect of the storyline was the fact she and Jones "felt so safe and comfortable with each other as actors. And obviously we knew that we were both just telling a story and it was far from real."[61] Explaining the motivation behind Stella's abuse of Ben, she revealed: "As far as Ben's concerned, she sees him as an obstacle which she has to overcome to get what she wants. And the fact she doesn't understand unconditional love, the fact she's never experienced it, goes a long way in explaining why she's treating Ben the way she is. Ultimately, Ben's in her way and she realises that she has a hold over him and she'll use that power to get him out of the way and to get that ring on her finger she has longed for."[61]
It was reported in July 2011 that Ben would come out as a homosexual.[62][63] He became the third gay character in the series at the time, and the sixteenth in its history. Kirkwood commented, "For EastEnders viewers, it was never a question of if, but more like when Ben Mitchell was going to come out as gay. The Mitchells represent the spirit of EastEnders – tough, loyal and uncompromising. To see a man like Phil learn to deal with, and ultimately accept, his gay son, is a valid story for a drama like EastEnders to embark on."[64] McFadden stated that Phil had never considered the possibility of Ben being gay, rather, he held an idealised view of his son and hoped he would become more like Jay, interested in "normal macho things". He explained that, while Phil could see his son was in turmoil, he was unaware of the depth of it, and believed Ben to be confused about his sexuality because of a prison assault.[65] In contrast, Kirkwood stated his belief that Ben's coming out would not be a surprise to Phil, and that he had "probably been dreading this news for many years." Scriptwriter Christopher Reason said that Ben's storyline would be a long-running one, which would see him "learn wrath" from his father.[66]
Reception
"The scriptwriters' non-stop torment of Ben Mitchell is just getting silly now. Left partially deaf after contracting meningitis as a baby, he's lost his mum and stepfather, been kidnapped by Martin Fowler, nearly drowned in a sinking Land Rover, been bullied by his dad's (now dead) fiance Stella... and is inescapably related by blood to Ian Beale. About the only good thing to happen to him lately is that he's got new specs."
—Jane Simon of the Daily Mirror on Ben's bad luck.[67]
In 2007, Ben's abuse by Stella won Best Storyline at the Inside Soap Awards,[68] and was nominated as the Best Soap Storyline at the TV Quick and TV Choice Awards.[69] During the storyline, the BBC received sixty complaints when Stella was seen to watch and laugh as bullies kicked Ben to the ground. A spokeswoman responded, "We know viewers could consider this storyline disturbing but we aim to reflect the reality of bullying."[70]
Ben as played by Jones received largely negative reviews from critics. The Guardian's Grace Dent called him a "spooky little git",[71] and her fellow Guardian writer Daniel Martin deemed him "gormless".[72] As part of an EastEnders-themed drinking game, Digital Spy's Alex Fletcher instructed players to drink beer every time Ben "is spotted whimpering on the stairs".[73] Dent suggested that Phil and Ian's fighting over custody of Ben would turn him into "the next Jeffrey Dahmer",[74] and in an article on the future of Britain's soap opera adolescents, noted that: "Albert Square will no doubt reap what it's sown with tiny, cursed, abused, accident-prone, 11-year-old Ben Mitchell. Oh it's going to be fun and games when Ben turns 16 and finds his inner anger."[75] Continuing this theme, Dent questioned "how far are they going to push this little boy?". She listed the many setbacks and problems Ben had encountered, and suggested that within five years, he would be "on top of the community centre with a rifle using [Peggy's] wig as target practice."[76] Dent later criticized a string of storylines which saw Ben endangered, from his abuse by Stella, to a car accident in which he almost drowned. She stated that his numerous pitfalls were becoming "a touch daft" and likened Ben to the often-killed South Park character Kenny McCormick. Dent hypothesised that the EastEnders scriptwriters "cheer themseves by conjuring up fresh ways to dispense with [Ben]" and said she had contacted the BBC with her own suggestions for creative deaths that might befall him.[77]
Kevin O'Sullivan of the Daily Mirror commented on "ballet-loving Ben's obsession with West End musicals, Judy Garland and dancing," and in 2008 suggested that Ben was gay, pre-dating the character's coming out by three years.[78][63] The Guardian's Lisa O'Connell welcomed the eventual decision to have Ben come out, and called the plot "a perfect foundation for years of dramatic conflict", which would "no doubt test the filial relationship to the limits."[64] The November 2011 storyline which featured Ben's false molestation accusation against Christian, and Phil's subsequent attack on him, drew criticism from singer George Michael, who stated that EastEnders's depiction of homosexuality was "insulting to the gay community." A BBC spokesperson responded, "EastEnders reflects a wide range of issues. All soap characters face their own trials and tribulations in order to create drama, however EastEnders viewers will know that this is a story about Phil Mitchell who, while struggling with his own relationship with his son, will do anything to protect him."[79]
On several occasions during his tenure, bookmakers have offered odds on Ben's storylines. In 2010, William Hill named him the 11/4 favourite to be found responsible for the whodunnit murder of Archie Mitchell.[80] The culprit was revealed during the series' first live episode – Jones was in third place at 7/1 odds to make a mistake during transmission.[81] After Jones' departure was announced, despite confirmation that the role would be recast, Ben became the favourite to be the next character killed off.[82]
See also
References
- ^ Fiaca, Nick (28 March 2011). "Ben Mitchell". TV Choice. H Bauer Publishing. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Ben Mitchell". What's on TV. IPC Media. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "More new faces to join EastEnders" (Press release). BBC Online. 19 January 2006. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "Ben Mitchell played by Charlie Jones". BBC Online. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "Ben Mitchell played by Charlie Jones". BBC Online. Archived from the original on 13 January 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "Stella Crawford played by Sophie Thompson". Archived from the original on 27 February 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ a b c "EastEnders' Stella makes Ben's life hell". What's on TV. IPC Media. 24 April 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ Green, Kris (3 March 2007). "Stella starts to hurt Ben". Digital Spy. Digital Spy Ltd. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "Will Ben stop the wedding?". What's on TV. IPC Media. 19 July 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "Stella Crawford played by Sophie Thompson". BBC Online. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ a b "Phil Mitchell". What's on TV. IPC Media. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "Syed disappears!". What's on TV. IPC Media. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "Ben takes his twisted revenge on Louise". What's on TV. IPC Media. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "17/05/2010". BBC Online. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "18/05/2010". BBC Online. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "20/05/2010". BBC Online. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ "Lucas protects his sinister secret". What's on TV. IPC Media. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "24/05/2010". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ Green, Kris (18 May 2010). "The guilt becomes too much for Ben". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "28/05/2010". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "What's got into Lucas?". What's on TV. IPC Media. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ Green, Kris (6 July 2010). "Ben appears in court". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "30/07/2010". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (7 December 2010). "Ben Mitchell's return causes a stir". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (7 December 2010). "A mystery assailant attacks Glenda". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "06/01/2011". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ "07/01/2011". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "Ian introduces his new 'girlfriend'". What's on TV. IPC Media. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (3 May 2011). "Ben confesses his guilty secret". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "13/05/2011". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "09/09/2011". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "23/09/2011". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "26/09/2011". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ a b "27/09/2011". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "03/10/2011". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (20 September 2011). "Phil is branded a racist as he victimises Patrick". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "06/10/2011". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "07/10/2011". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "Lola offers herself to test Ben's sexuality!". What's on TV. IPC Media. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (1 November 2011). "Ben misreads the signals with Christian". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "08/11/2011". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ "10/11/2011". BBC Online. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ John Greening (director), Pete Lawson (writer) (22 November 2011). "Episode dated 22/11/2011". EastEnders. Episode 4, 325. BBC. BBC1.
{{cite episode}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ Wilkes, Neil (19 January 2006). "Mitchell kids to return to Walford". Digital Spy. Digital Spy Ltd. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ Atkinson, Rebecca (11 July 2006). "Big Brother's 'freak show' has produced the first warts-and-all disabled person on TV - when will the soaps follow?". The Guardian. London: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
- ^ Matthewman, Scott (11 July 2006). "More disabled actors, please". The Stage. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
- ^ Swinbourne, Charlie (29 March 2006). "A deaf TV takeover?". BBC Online. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
- ^ Quade, Gemma (10 – 16 July 2010). "Ben is jailed!". TV Mag. London: News Group Newspapers: 7.
{{cite journal}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ Green, Kris (9 May 2010). "Two more to leave 'EastEnders'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (7 June 2010). "'EastEnders' bosses to recast Ben, Lucy". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (15 October 2010). "'EastEnders' new Ben Mitchell revealed". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
- ^ "13/12/2010". BBC Programmes. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ Maund, Allison (4 - 17 December 2010). "Ben's back!". Inside Soap (48). Hachette Filipacchi UK: 22.
{{cite journal}}
:|access-date=
requires|url=
(help); Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ "What a difference a year makes!". Inside Soap (52). Hachette Filipacchi UK: 43. 1 January 2011.
{{cite journal}}
:|access-date=
requires|url=
(help) - ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (18 July 2011). "Exclusive: 'EastEnders' character teasers from exec Bryan Kirkwood". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Phil to the rescue in EastEnder's £1m underwater spectacular". Daily Mail. London: Associated Newspapers. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- ^ Green, Kris (18 May 2007). "Behind the scenes of the 'EastEnders' crash". Digital Spy. Digital Spy Ltd. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "EastEnders' Ben in £1m crash stunt". What's on TV. IPC Media. 6 May 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Emmerdale trounces EastEnders in the ratings". What's on TV. IPC Media. 18 May 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ Neil, Beth (18 July 2007). "My kids don't watch me being evil Stella... I'm way too scary". Daily Mirror. London: Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- ^ a b Green, Kris (16 July 2007). "Sophie Thompson". Digital Spy. Digital Spy Ltd. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- ^ Goodacre, Kate (21 July 2011). "'EastEnders' character to come out as gay". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (22 July 2011). "'EastEnders' new gay storyline: Update". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
- ^ a b O'Carroll, Lisa (22 July 2011). "EastEnders' Ben Mitchell to come out as gay". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ "EastEnders' Steve: 'Ben is Phil's worst nightmare'". What's on TV. IPC Media. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (7 October 2011). "'EastEnders' promises long Phil, Ben story". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ Simon, Jane (5 August 2008). "Today's soaps: Emmerdale and Eastenders". Daily Mirror. London: Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ "Corrie's Soap Awards Win". Sky Living. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Welcome to the TVQuick & TVChoice Awards 2007!". TV Quick. Bauer Media Group. Archived from the original on 2 July 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Fan fury at Ben's bullying". The Sun. London: News Group Newspapers. 31 March 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ Dent, Grace (27 February 2007). "Grace Dent's world of lather". The Guardian. Lonon: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ Martin, Daniel (29 June 2007). "Coronation Street outclasses EastEnders". The Guardian. Lonon: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ Fletcher, Alex (22 January 2009). "Drinking Games: 'EastEnders'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- ^ Dent, Grace (7 October 2006). "Grace Dent's world of lather". The Guardian. London: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ Dent, Grace (27 October 2007). "Like a Platt out of hell". The Guardian. London: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ Dent, Grace (13 May 2006). "Grace Dent's world of lather". The Guardian. London: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ Dent, Grace (26 May 2007). "Grace Dent's world of lather". The Guardian. London: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ O'Sullivan, Kevin (2 August 2008). "Eastenders manic marry-go-round exposes weak plotlines". Daily Mirror. London: Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (11 November 2011). "'EastEnders' defends gay storylines after George Michael criticism". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (19 February 2010). "'Enders Ben is new killer favourite". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (19 February 2010). "Mitchell sisters tipped for live ep errors". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ Millar, Paul (24 June 2010). "Bookies taking bets on Peggy 'Enders exit". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 13 November 2011.