EASTENDERS viewers broke down in tears tonight at Ben Mitchell’s harrowing rape scene.

In recent weeks, Ben Mitchell ([object Window] Max Bowden) has been getting friendly with new Prince Albert manager and bartender Lewis Butler (Emmerdale and The Witcher hunk Aidan O’Callaghan).

Egter, the friendship took a very dark turn in Monday’s episode.

The episode kicks off with Ben facing his husband Callum Highway’s (Tony Clay) wrath when the police officer finds out he told Lewis about his vigilante actions, which caused a huge argument between the couple.

Struggling to keep the peace, the pair shared some difficult words and parted ways wondering whether this is the end of their relationship.

As his marriage seemingly falls apart, Ben went to the Vic to drown his sorrows.

Intussen, his daughter Lexi arrived for a sleepover, and questioned where he is, and Callum is forced to cover.

The pair spend time together, leading Callum to send Ben a selfie with the young girl in a touching gesture.

Egter, Ben is down in the dumps and, against his better judgement, spots Lewis on a dating app.

After a few messages, they both met for drinks and, soon enough, a drunk Ben began flirting with Lewis.

After The Prince Albert closed, one thing lead to another as Lewis and Ben headed upstairs, but upon seeing Callum and Lexi’s selfie, Ben began to have second thoughts.

Ben is then ready to leave, realising his mistake and repeatedly warned Lewis to stop and get off him.

But Lewis refused to let him go and rapes him.

EastEnders fans were devastated as they watched Ben terrifying ordeal.

Een het geskryf: “Oh Ben!”

'N Ander het gepos: “Whoa that scene with ben was profound.”

'N Derde bygevoeg: “Bit much for 8pm.”

Actor Max Bowden has teased very dark times for his on-screen alter ego.

He revealed that Ben’s world will crumble before his eyes after the assault.

“There’s a massive element of confusion about what happened the night before”, the actor said.

He then added that Ben will go through the struggle of any sexual assault survivor which often involves blame-shifting.

“Ben is blaming himself for the rape and the breakdown of his marriage”, Max continued.

“Utterly confused and a bit lost”, Ben is in a state of pure shock and slowly but surely “becomes a shell of himself.”

“It takes him a while to realise he is a victim. Rape is, for anybody is impossible to get your head around”, Max went on.

“It’s really really tough. He becomes a shell of himself.”

Fans were devastated and flocked to Twitter to comment.

EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday on BBC One.