Yahoo News Exclusive: EastEnders star hints at Callum and Ben's future
EastEnders star Tony Clay has hinted that the secret bond between Callum Highway and Ben Mitchell will be strengthened following the arrival of newcomer Jonno.
Next week's episodes see Richard Graham take on the guest role of Jonno, who's the father of Callum and Stuart.
Jonno is invited to Walford to meet Callum's fiancée Whitney Dean for the first time, but things turn sour when he repeatedly clashes with Ben and starts to show his true colours.
Speaking to Digital Spy about Callum and Ben, Tony explained: "The root of their connection begins with their dads. Phil is all about family, but when his son told him he was gay, it wasn't the reaction that Ben would have wanted.
"Callum's dad is also aggressive. He's been like that towards both Stuart and Callum.
"So Callum and Ben have both got that feeling of never really having that fatherly connection. I think that's something they connect over.
"That's when Ben realises that Callum isn't just someone he can toy with – there's something there. Ben then struggles with that and that's the fire and the spark between them both. That's lovely to play."
Promising that Jonno's arrival will reveal more about the Highway brothers, Tony added: "You get to see the root of Stuart's problems and also Callum's. That's when the audience will go: 'Oh, so that's why they are the way they are. That's why Stuart has all of these issues. That's why Callum is afraid to tell people about who he is'.
"It's because of this man, who's played brilliantly by Richard – he's unbelievable. It's a great week when he comes in."
EastEnders airs Jonno's first scenes on Monday (July 1) on BBC One.
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