EastEnders fans were left shocked after witnessing a major incest blunder during Thursday’s episode.
It seems the soap’s writers forgot that two characters were related after Ben Mitchell suggested Johnny Carter should flirt with Dean Wicks, who is actually his biological uncle.
After Johnny (Charlie Suff) returned to the soap earlier this month, he was joined by Ben (Max Bowden) in the cafe as the two discussed Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) and how to avoid trouble for his mother Linda were caused. Carter (Kellie Bright).
Dean has a recording of Linda admitting that she lied about him attacking her, and Ben and Johnny were planning how to get their hands on this recording.
As Ben told Johnny, “Find that recording that says she lied,” Johnny joked, “Yeah, yeah, I’ll just go ask him.”
EastEnders fans were left shocked after a major incest blunder during Thursday’s episode as writers seemed to forget that two characters are related
Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) suggested that Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff) flirt with Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), despite Dean being Johnny’s biological uncle
This prompted Ben to suggest that he flirt with Dean, as he suggested, “Then give him a little Johnny Carter charm.”
As Johnny replied, “He’s straight,” Ben teased: ‘Well, there’s always a first.’
Fans were shocked to immediately realize that it would be completely inappropriate for Johnny to flirt with Dean since he is, in fact, his uncle.
On Twitter someone wrote: ‘Ben advises Johnny to turn on Dean’s charm and maybe even try the “come to bed” eyes. Johnny says that won’t work because Dean is straight. Um…he’s your uncle too!’
A second asked: ‘A strange choice of words in tonight’s episode… Dean is Johnny’s uncle! Why would he flirt with him or try to charm him?’
A third asked: ‘Why is Ben suggesting Johnny flirt with his uncle?’
Another said: ‘Ben tells Johnny to seduce Dean??? Sorry Wtf? This is his uncle’.
This isn’t the first time the writers have explored incest in a storyline after Lauren Branning and her cousin Joey were romantically involved together in 2013.
Ben suggested Johnny flirt with Dean (pictured), teasing: ‘Give him a little of the Johnny Carter charm’
Fans were shocked to immediately realize that it would be completely inappropriate for Johnny to flirt with Dean since he is, in fact, his uncle.
This isn’t the first time the writers have explored incest in a storyline after Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and her cousin Joey (David Witts) were romantically involved together in 2013.
While viewers weren’t sure if the mistake with Dean was intentional, or if the writers forgot, the relationship with Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) and Joey (David Witts) was intentionally problematic.
The relationship was obviously poorly received by the Branning family, and the two eventually split due to Lauren’s alcohol problems.
Meanwhile, Max is reportedly leaving the soap after four years of playing Ben Mitchell.
In December it was claimed that BBC bosses had decided not to renew his contract when it expires in March.
His final scenes will air in the spring, but it is understood that his character Ben, who has been played by numerous actors in the past, will not be killed off.
An EastEnders spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Max will be leaving EastEnders next year. We wish him all the best for the future.’
A TV insider added: ‘Max has been playing Ben for the past four years and bosses decided his time on the show was over.
“There’s been a lot of noise around him for a little too long and that can take away from the drama in the show.
‘He went for an interview because his contract would be extended next year. No one knew how things would go and after consultation it was decided that he would leave.’
In December it was claimed that BBC bosses had decided not to renew Max’s contract when it expires in March, with his final scenes airing this year (pictured on EastEnders)