No one could see this coming.

A sudden death in BBC1's Eastenders is sure to devastate the town of Walford and indeed die-hard fans as the show as it has been revealed that bad boy Ben Mitchell is to die in the next few weeks. According to Digital Spy, Phil's only son is rushed to hospital and is left in critical condition. Phil, Ian Beale and Steven Beale, Ben's half-brothers rush to be by his side but must suffer an agonising wait for news first. Ben Mitchell, played by Harry Reid After a tense couple of hours waiting for the verdict on Ben, doctors deliver the devastating news that he died of serious injuries and they were unable to save him. Following the recent deaths of both Phil's mother Peggy and Ian's daughter Lucy Beale this news only comes as more suffering for both the Beale and Mitchell families. Fans took to Twitter to protest the sudden death of one of Eastender's most dramatic characters.

Why is Ben Mitchell dead... out of all people?

— Kelly (@pan_kayke) July 12, 2016

Surely they can't kill off Ben Mitchell? I bet they get the identity wrong and it's actually Paul who is dead!! @HarryReid16 @jonnylabey — SoapSpoilers&Gossip. (@Soap_loverxx) July 12, 2016

Can't believe they're killing Ben Mitchell off in Eastenders and Kylie in Corrie? they just kill everyone off

— Jessyyy (@jessyxxxxxx) July 12, 2016

I can't believe they are killing of ben Mitchell — Andrew Hughes (@11ahughes789) July 12, 2016

Following Ben's relatively blossoming relationship with Paul Coker, this death is sure to break hearts across Albert Square. The tragic storyline is said to start unfolding from Monday 18th July.