EastEnders bosses have cast the first mainstream deaf character to come to the aid of Ben Mitchell.
Rose Ayling-Ellis will make her debut as Frankie while the Albert Square residents are coming to terms with the horrific boat crash which killed Dennis Watts.
Friday night’s episode saw Ben, who is partially death, played by Max Bowden being pulled out of the River Thames looking disorientated.
Fans will later find out that his head injury has trigged his additional loss of hearing.
It’s believed that Frankie will be put in touch with Ben through his boyfriend, Callum Highway – played by Tony Clay.
Ben’s hearing deteriorated following the boat crash (Image: BBC)
Speaking to The Sun, an insider said: “Ben’s life is going to be turned upside down but, thanks to Frankie, he gets some unexpected help.
“The storyline will highlight some of the challenges deaf people go through.”
Frankie will communicate with Ben using sign language, which will be a first for the BBC soap.
Rose Ayling-Ellis’s character will help Ben come to terms with losing his hearing
EastEnders bosses have reportedly worked closely with the National Deaf Children’s Society to make sure the storyline is portrayed in an accurate manner.
Soap writer Charlie Swinbourne is believed to have pitched the idea to EastEnders bosses.
Speaking about the storyline, he said: “Being deaf myself I’ve always looked out for Ben Mitchell’s character because he was the one who wore hearing aids.
Some believe his hearing loss could be due to the fact he was close to a gunshot (Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Matt Burlem/Amy Sharp)
“I wanted to explore how losing more of his hearing affects Ben, as well as how it makes him see the world – and his deaf identity.”
Rose Ayling-Ellis added: “I am so excited to be joining the cast of EastEnders and I am equally proud to be one of the first Deaf actresses to be part of this iconic soap. I can’t wait for everyone to meet Frankie!”
Some fans pointed out that Ben’s loss of hearing could be due to the fact that he was in close range to a gunshot during a brutal fight.
Taking to Twitter, one viewer said: “The sound of the gun, probably losing his aid when he hit the water, a bang on the head, almost drowning & shock will all contribute to his temporary hearing loss.”
Ben’s boyfriend Callum had been kidnapped (Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
A second tweeted: “He’s only partially deaf in one ear. I assumed he’s lost his hearing aid and was in shock.”
While a third added: “Ben has always been deaf. He was born deaf and must’ve lost his hearing aid in the water.”
But, Ben is still yet to find boyfriend Callum who was kidnapped by Keanu.
EastEnders airs on BBC One on weekdays.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
