[Scarlett.]

GAY!

Most obvious secret in soapland!


An EastEnders regular is about to become the third gay character on Albert Square, reports have revealed.

Ben Mitchell (Joshua Pascoe) will reveal that he is gay after sharing a kiss with another teenager called Duncan, according to The Mirror.

"Since the day Ben returned to Walford, he's been a bit of a disappointment for Phil," a show insider told the paper.

"With his love of dancing and musicals, Ben was not cast from the same 'tough guy' mould as his father. It's ironic that Phil's efforts to turn his son into a mini version of himself backfire spectacularly when he encourages Ben to go boxing with Duncan.

"But no-one could anticipate the chain of events this will spark around Walford as Ben tries to keep his sexuality secret from his father."

Ben and Duncan will reportedly be spotted by Patrick Truman (Rudolph Walker), but Ben threatens the shopkeeper fearing what father Phil (Steve McFadden) will say if he finds out.

The production source continued: "Poor Ben is terrified of Phil's reaction but the truth will out, sooner or later."

EastEnders executive producer Bryan Kirkwood recently defended scenes showing Syed Masood (Marc Elliott) and Christian Clarke (John Partridge) in bed together following viewer complaints.