I am guessing Johnny sees Ben for the first time at the wedding. I wonder if EE will have a little scene between them because they know it will get fans talking and speculating

They will definitely have a scene of some form, or at least be in the same room as each other - but Harry Reid has already confirmed in interviews there will be no romance for Ben for the foreseeable future at least.

Also after tonights episode I'm further dissuaded by the Johnny/Ben possibility. He's silently more villainous than before and I can honestly see Johnny running a mile from him. The more I delved into watching tonight's episode (as good an episode as it was) the less I could picture Johnny and Ben even being civil towards one another.
If Ben has any involvement in the Lucy murder I definitely can't see a Johnny/Ben romance whatsoever.

They've got to meet soon, haven't they?
Harry is very good as Ben!

After seeing Ben in action tonight, I'd actually be terrified for Johnny if he got with him. He seems to be even darker this time around! But yes, I think a scene between Johnny and Ben at the wedding is inevitable.

Myself and Elly posting at exactly the same time again

LOL at three people replying at that post at the exact same time haha.

But seriously I can't see what Johnny would see in Ben. Tonight's episode validated that for me.

Oh wow, yes I didn't see you there Neu, tiny screen!
He'll either run a mile and want nothing to do with him or the other...
I actually thought something was going to happen between Ben & Jay!
Like I've said on my Tumblr, written down it is a very good soapy romance because of all the links between characters and of course Mick tonight. He adores his son, has no problem with him being gay but would not want him anywhere near Ben Mitchell.

Us Johnny fans are so in sync with one another.

I did actually think NuNuBen was very good tonight; he looks like he'll be a very interesting character and the actor seems very decent indeed. Like SK says, it will either go one way or the other when it comes to whether or not him and Johnny would get together.

And yes, there was some definite tension between Ben and Jay tonight. That bedroom scene made me do a double take.

We are
Long term viewers of HO, I blame that!

Ha, indeed. If this was HO then Ben would definitely have hugged Jay gay by now.

Gay 'incest' - a standard evening in Hollyoaks Village

Havent posted in here for a while so i'd thought i'd make my presence known again! HAHA!

But I have a little theory on the Ben/Johnny situation. IIRC there was an article saying that the Mitchells and the Carters will clash right? Well depending how long they clash could Ben and Johnny spark up a secret romance? (a la romeo and juliet). The fact that Johnny is so light and upbeat and Ben is so dark and mysterious and with the fact it will seem like a 'forbidden love' could seem very hot to them, i could see the attraction there for both of them (as you know opposites attract). And then the Carters and Mitchells have to 'try' and get along for the sake of their sons relationship with each other?

Welcome back!

Harry Reid has already confirmed in interviews that there won't be any romance for Ben anytime soon. It would also be ridiculous if Ben/Johnny did happen (hopefully it won't happen at all) this side of Christmas. We're talking after the Lucy murder reveal before I can see them going down that route - if they decide to. But with Johnny likely knowing about Ben and what he did I genuinely can't see them getting together at the present minute, especially after Tuesday's episode.

I can honestly see Johnny running a mile. Sorry but for me if Ben was the last gay man on earth I'd still not want anything to do with him at all (the character of course, the actors alright looking and seems nice in real life).

Yes the setup with the families is potential for big soap drama. But I just can't see it. Everyone keeps slinging them together just because they're both gay, with these endless threads about Johnny/Ben and them getting together, but I genuinely can't see them getting together or even being friends for the foreseeable future, if ever.

That look from Ben when Johnny served them spoke volumes! Think Harry might have been fibbing when he said no romantic interest for Ben...

Agreed, he was very obviously checking Johnny out - and he liked what he saw.

That and the very obvious foreshadowing of Mick telling Johnny to avoid Ben. I think we will see Ben pursuing Johnny rather than the other way round, but that initial look from Ben is definitely indicating that it's a possibility.

Probably not instantly. Yes there was a look there. I'll begrudgingly admit that. Though Johnny looked unnerved tbh. Kinda what I expected from a first meeting with those two.

That sort of scene was inevitable though.

Why do I get the feeling if (and a big if) Johnny and Ben do happen that Linda will be Ok with it but Mick will be strongly against it? Flipping it on the other side.

BIB: that would be good, I'd like to see that for a change. I don't think Mick is protective enough over Johnny sometimes (like this business with the fire) so I'd quite like to see him forbidding the relationship.

I'm not sure Johnny would want the relationship - given the comments in the hallway about Ben killing Shirley's best mate...though I thought Ben was quite cute & appealing when he was trying to be nice to everyone on Tues (before attacking Shirley!) and looking sad that Sharon wouldn't give him a chance etc tonight. I could see Johnny's head telling him no but his heart telling him yes, especially if Ben seems a bit vulnerable. Mick disapproving would be a good additional dimension to add to what would probably already be pretty confusing for Johnny. If they did get together - whether in secret or out in the open - it would be good if Ben toughened Johnny up a bit, maybe even got him involved in a bit of stuff he shouldn't, just to break the mummy's golden boy image a bit.

Eastenders certainly did not do subtle with Johnny/Ben in tonight's episode

Mick telling Johnny to stay away from Ben
Johnny and Ben arriving at the same time and guess what everyone's busy so Johnny has to serve Sharon and Ben
Johnny walks out with the line "what can I get you" and Ben eyes light up

It will be interesting to see if there is more interaction at the wedding and when will Johnny find out Ben is gay.

I have to say I am liking Harry as Ben and he is certainly not shy if that scene with him in his boxers is anything to go by

Looking at them, they would make a very nice couple. If it doesn't happen then it will be a missed opportunity. New Ben is better looking. I know that's shallow but hey, that's why we all like Johnny isn't it?
Point of order though, I would expect somebody in the second year of a law degree to spend more of his day at uni than that! No wonder he fails his exams!

Tonight was just one big foreshadowing episode IMO! haha It was inevitable, unless they bring in a brand new character/family which they wont yet because they are just expanding families and brining back golden oldies!

That look though! :O What are we going to call them? Jen? Benny? (im rally bad at ship names)

lol I said "Foreshadowing" when Mick told Johnny to avoid Ben! I quite like the eyeing Ben did when he saw Johnny. His face lit up Can't wait to see where the writers take Johnny in regards to Ben. Loved that Johnny got some scenes in tonight!- and a little one with Sharon

if you can, plz vote for Sam at the Inside Soap Awards

Bonny?

What do people think about the talk on the main forum of Ben looking like he recognised Johnny? I personally didn't see it that way, it just looked like pure lust to me, but I suppose there might be a possibility that they met at a gay club or something. Johnny definitely didn't seem to recognise him, though.

And as sceptical as I am about Ben and Johnny getting together, I've realised how nice it feels to actually be thinking about future possible storylines for Johnny involving the two of them. It's been a while since I've seen any real indication that he's heading for his own story; you could argue that is the first real 'moment' we've had in ages to hint at a future storyline for him. So for now, I'm going to be supporting a potential storyline between the two of them, I just hope that they do it well and that Daran or Leo are the writers to tackle any important episodes between them.

I think that Bens face lit up because he actually thought Johnny is good looking, and/or maybe have seen him in a gay club, without Johnny seeing him, so therefor knowing Johnny's gay.

I'm also loving future possible SLs featuring Johnny interact with Ben. Wether it be romantic or even friendship- I'm definitely looking forward to see & follow it.

Leo Richardson has written the 30th september episode with both Johnny & Ben in it, so I wouldn't be too surprised to see a scene or two with them