Ben Mitchell makes a surprise return to Walford in upcoming EastEnders episodes, arriving unannounced at Jonno Highway's funeral. His husband Callum Highway, who has been having an affair with Johnny Carter, is shocked as Ben supports him at the graveside. Phil Mitchell and Kathy Beale are thrilled to see Ben, who explains he was transferred to a UK prison for turning informant on his cellmate and was granted release for the funeral. However, they are distracted by Callum's infidelity, which Kathy witnessed earlier.
Callum and Johnny have been secretly seeing each other since Johnny helped Callum after his father Jonno's sudden death. Despite Callum asking Johnny to stay away from the funeral to avoid suspicion, the pair kiss, unaware Kathy has seen them. Kathy tells the Mitchells, who confront Callum. He hits back with home truths before finding Johnny, revealing he is serious about their relationship and wants him at the funeral. Stuart Highway returns, persuaded by Johnny, as Kathy and the Mitchells agree to keep the truth from Ben on the condition that Callum tells him after the funeral. Callum agrees, but is shocked when Ben turns up unannounced.
Meanwhile, Harry Mitchell and Gina Knight return from a weekend away, but Harry's happiness is short-lived when Kojo Asare collapses in The Arches. Harry realises Kojo is still working for Ravi Gulati and Okie. Harry attempts to speak to Ravi, but is dismissed, forcing him to turn to his dad Teddy Mitchell for help. Teddy dissuades Harry from turning himself in and promises to sort it out with Ravi, but the gangster orders him out of his business. Later, Teddy asks Harry to take Kojo and Gina for dinner, and he makes an attempt to catch Ravi out, heading to Kojo's flat, but Ravi and Okie return and Teddy is forced to hide in the bathroom.
Priya Nandra-Hart and Ravi Gulati reluctantly move back into No.41 with their kids Avani and Nugget following their house sale, as Suki Panesar-Unwin attempts to build bridges with her family. Avani encourages Suki to reach out to her wife Eve Unwin-Panesar, and the pair agree to a drink. Eve reveals she wants to adopt a baby with Suki. Priya is shocked when she spies Suki looking up adoption information and soon realises Suki is considering adopting with Eve. The family judge Suki as a bad mother and warn her off the idea.
Vicki Fowler and Joel Marshall argue after he exerts misogynistic views once again, as his dad Ross tries to handle the situation. A defiant Joel answers back and leaves, as it is clear Vicki and Ross are at a loss over how to control his behaviour.
In a landmark episode on Thursday, October 9, an incident at school started by Joel and Tommy Moon raises debate in Walford as parents and teens discuss the ramifications of the event and the impact of harmful content online. Difficult conversations are had between peers, parents and their children as age and gender both play significant parts in the debate.
