User blog:Blogman12/Ben Mitchell to leave Walford

EastEnders bosses have confirmed that Ben Mitchell (Joshua Pascoe) will be bowing out from the soap later this year.

He will depart from Walford at the end of his storyline, the murder of Heather Trott.

A few days ago, it emerged that Pascoe had been arrested and bailed in connection with an alleged sex assault. However, reports suggest that it was always the plan for the 16-year-old to leave EastEnders as a natural conclusion to the Heather story.

An EastEnders spokesperson told the Daily Star Sunday: "It will come as no surprise to the viewers of EastEnders that the character of Ben will be departing Walford when the truth finally emerges."

Meanwhile, a show insider said: "Joshua was always going to leave at the end of his current contract due to his storyline. There was no way Ben could stay on the Square long-term after killing Heather. But how it all comes out is a closely guarded secret."

Ben arrived in Walford after being recasted for the third time in 2010.