EASTENDERS fans are in shock after Ben Mitchell confessed to killing Jags Panesar tonight.
The mechanic – who is played by actor Max Bowden in the BBC soap – finally confessed to causing his business partner’s brother’s death after more than a year of hiding it.
Ben was supplying protection to Jags in prison – but when he discovered Kheerat was sleeping with Sharon Watts, he secretly withdrew it – and Jags was killed.
Kheerat had no idea – and up until tonight was a close friend of Ben’s.
After supporting Ben through his HIV test, Ben thanked him – but Kheerat thanked him in return.
He told him: “You were there for me when my brother went to prison, and you were by my side when he died.
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“You are like my brother Ben, just a little pasty. I lost one brother but I gained another. And I will never forget what you did for me.”
Ben was torn up by Kheerat’s support – and the guilt over cancelling Jags’ protection became overwhelming.
In an effort to forget, Ben took more drugs from James – and went to Peggy’s to join Kheerat on his date with Stacey.
However instead Ben ended up fighting, insulting Zack before Kheerat stepped in and dragged him out.
Taking him home, Kheerat asked Ash to look Ben over – but instead Ben saw a picture of Jags and with the drugs lowering his inhibitions, it all became too much.
“Don’t be so nice,” Ben said.
“Stop it all of you. You don’t get it. I killed him.”
As Kheerat struggled to understand what Ben was saying, he demanded to know what he means.
Ben replied: “I called off his protection, I killed Jags.”
Kheerat looked on in shock – as did the rest of the Panesars – and viewers were with them.
One wrote: “That’s the Ben/Kheerat friendship ruined then.”
A second said: “Kheerat’s face he loves Ben so much. This is going to hurt so bad.”
Another added: “Will Kheerat still be there to support Ben or is their friendship over?”
