The following article contains discussion of themes including sexual assault that some readers may find upsetting.
EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders has aired harrowing scenes as Ben Mitchell has been raped by barman Lewis Butler.
An issue-based storyline started in Monday's (May 23) episode when Ben confided in Lewis about the recent attacks he'd committed against homophobic residents of Walford.
Once Callum found out, he furiously questioned whether their marriage could survive because he'd previously asked Ben to stop seeing Lewis.
Callum ended up having to cover for Ben once Lexi was dropped off for a planned sleepover, unaware that his husband had messaged Lewis on a dating app.
While Callum was starting to second-guess calling things off with his marriage, Ben flirted with Lewis at The Prince Albert and the two eventually started to get more intimate.
The pair started kissing but, when Lewis went to lock the club's front doors, Ben had second thoughts after receiving a text from Callum with a photo of Lexi.
Ben tried to tell Lewis he wanted to stop, but the barman aggressively kept going. Lewis refused to take no for an answer, telling Ben he can't "start a fire if you're not going to put it out".
"I said no," Ben repeated as Lewis assaulted him.
The episode closed on a worried Callum beside a sleeping Lexi, concerned that he'd heard nothing from Ben. The soap will continue to explore the aftermath of Ben's assault in upcoming episodes.
Max Bowden and soap bosses have worked with Survivors UK, Survivors Manchester and the Male Survivors Partnership to ensure the issue of male sexual assault is presented sensitively.
Speaking about the importance of this topic and Ben's reaction to being assaulted, Max told Digital Spy recently: "With any sort of trauma eventually you have to release, so there will come a time when it becomes more on the surface.
"At the moment, Ben has got to rebuild his self-understanding again and come to terms with the fact that he will never be the same again."
EastEnders airs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.
Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you've been affected by the topics raised in this story, then numerous organisations can offer help and support including SurvivorsUK (0203 598 3898 or help@survivorsuk.org), Survivors Manchester (0808 800 5005 or support@survivorsmanchester.org.uk) and the Male Survivors Partnership (0808 800 5005 or hello@malesurvivor.co.uk). In an emergency, please dial 999.
