EastEnders viewers were left stunned tonight as Jonno Highway (played by Richard Graham) met a sudden end, succumbing to a fatal heart attack in his son Callum’s flat.

Earlier this year, the BBC soap announced that Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) and Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ) would be making a

comeback for the funeral. Now that Jonno’s death has unfolded on screen, their return seems imminent. Fans had assumed that Jonno’s demise would occur off-screen.

 

 

Spoilers hinted at a heart attack, but didn’t reveal it would prove lethal. As Callum (Tony Clay) dashed out to seek help in Thursday’s episode (11th September), Jonno used his dying breath to deliver a message to Johnny Carter (Chalie Suff) for his son, confessing he was “ashamed” of him.

Johnny was left reeling from the revelation, keeping the harsh truth from Callum and instead telling him that Jonno had sought his forgiveness. But how long can he keep this secret under wraps?, reports the Mirror.

 

 

“I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel,” Callum confessed upon learning of his father’s passing. “He weren’t all bad, you know? He used to have a little kick about with us in the park. He’d call me his little man, let me have sips from his pint, and lift me up to throw the darts.

“He asked me for help and I turned my back on him,” Callum admitted, reflecting on his previous refusal to assist his father financially. “I just cut him off without second thought, how selfish is that?” he pondered.

All the while, Johnny was trying to comfort Callum, aware of Jonno’s harsh final words.

A heartbroken Callum then made his move on Johnny. Johnny attempted to halt him, believing he was simply reacting to his grief.

Callum refuted this, however, insisting to Johnny that it was genuinely what he desired.

The pair then shared a steamy kiss – but with Ben’s comeback imminent, what consequences await if he discovers the truth?

Earlier this year, EastEnders confirmed that Max Bowden would be returning as Ben Mitchell this autumn for Jonno’s funeral, and whilst the precise date remains unconfirmed – given that Jonno’s death has now unfolded, we can expect it imminently. Ricky Champ, who portrays Stuart Highway, will also be making his comeback for his father’s funeral.

The BBC soap previously teased: “Ben Mitchell and Stuart Highway return to Walford as the Highways prepare to say goodbye to Jonno, but with Callum having recently cheated with Johnny, and with those feelings expected to grow, Ben may not be revisiting the happy family he left behind..