EASTENDERS’ Ben Mitchell will attack dad Phil and leave him for dead after being cut from his will, fans have claimed.
Last week, The Sun Online exclusively revealed that the Walford hardman could meet his grisly end after 29 years on the BBC One soap.
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And last night’s episode has got viewers thinking that Ben (Max Bowden) has a huge motive to get revenge on his father after Phil (Steve McFadden) met with his lawyer to cut his son from his will – and replace him with Keanu Taylor.
Phil has turned his back on his son in favour of the mechanic, who has moved into the family home as he is expecting a baby with the character’s daughter, Louise.
Unbeknown to Phil, he has also had a steamy affair with his wife, Sharon – who is also pregnant and isn’t sure who the father is.
Meanwhile, Ben has been on a downward spiral – and it is his increasing drunken behaviour that inspired Phil to axe him from the legal paperwork.
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Ben has always had a rocky relationship with his dad, and fans believe that this could end up being the final straw.
Taking to Twitter, one viewer speculated: “Phil’s now totally cut Ben outta his will, seriously?
“That definitely gives Ben one helluva motive for actually being the one who leaves him for dead in the trailer don’t it?”
Another agreed: “Phil has cut Ben out the will and put Keanu in it. Don’t think that will go down well with Ben if he ever finds out.”
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Ben has been plotting to destroy his dad’s life for months, interfering with his dubious business deals in a bid to get dirt on his father.
The ‘Enders bad boy was previously sent to prison for the manslaughter of Heather Trott, and earlier this year he arranged for a hitman to kill Billy Mitchell – proving that he still has an evil streak.
Earlier this month, we revealed that Phil will find himself in danger when he goes in search of those responsible for the theft of his money laundering proceeds.
Sources told us that he will be left “fighting for his life” when a row with another E20 resident spirals out of control.
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With Ben determined to fleece money from him and Sharon desperate to keep her affair under wraps, the insider added: “Things have been bubbling for a while with those keeping secrets from Phil.
“But secrets never stay secret for long in Albert Square.
“As everything comes to a head, certain truths will be revealed, but others remain hidden — for now.”
EastEnders’ explosive summer trailer has since confirmed the storyline, with Phil being seen barely conscious as he is rushed to hospital while a large police presence investigate the attack.
Fans previously speculated that Stacey Fowler could be the one to launch the attack, with a stint in prison serving as her exit storyline as actress Lacey Turner goes on maternity leave.
Steve McFadden has played Phil on the soap since 1990.
His character has battled alcoholism, drove his on-screen brother Grant (Ross Kemp) into the Thames — and has been shot twice.
The Who Shot Phil? storyline of 2001 became one of the most-watched whodunnits in soap history.
More than 22million viewers tuned in to see Phil’s ex Lisa Shaw, played by Lucy Benjamin, eventually unveiled as the shooter.
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