EastEnders' Aidan O'Callaghan has departed his role as Lewis Butler.
The actor's final scenes aired on the BBC One soap tonight, as Ben Mitchell ( Max Bowden ) confronted Lewis over his horrifying rape attack. Ben was manipulated and raped by Lewis in horrific scenes broadcasted earlier this year.
The pair came face to face again tonight, as Ben finally confronted Lewis over what he did to him. Sam and Phil had tracked Lewis down, as Phil threatened to end his life, but Ben stepped in, insisting he should be the one to do it. He fired a warning shot with the gun, before letting Lewis run away and deciding he would go through the proper channels and report him to the police.
Now actor Aidan has confirmed his final scenes on the show have been aired - but hinted he could be back if the case went to court.
He said: "In terms of the story, it's a massive emotional week. As far as I know, this is Lewis's last episode. But the door for me hasn't been fully shut. I will just have to wait and see if my phone rings.
"On one side, it has been so rewarding as you get to play so much drama and this really intense arc, but on the other hand it is a really hard arc to carry through in terms of redemption. It is such a dark, intense story."
Lewis says fans will have to "wait and see" if he comes back, admitting it would be "fascinating" if the case made it to court.
He added to Digital Spy: "If it went to court, that would be fascinating. I know from speaking with Survivors Manchester that court cases can be tricky and complicated, having the evidence brought up. It would be fascinating but we will have to wait and see."
Actor Max Bowden previously shared the importance of storylines like this, to raise awareness of the horrific crime.
"Alongside some wonderful charities, and some very inspirational survivors of male sexual assault in the UK, I think we’ve been able to really strive to tell the most truthful account we can, and I hope we can raise awareness and understanding on a topic that is rarely covered," he said of the storyline, which was praised by fans for being so heartbreakingly well acted.
BBC head of continuing drama Kate Oates added of the plot: "Ben has endured a traumatic time after witnessing a homophobic attack on Callum that brought back painful memories of losing Paul.
"As a result, Ben lost his way in life … which is when he found Lewis. Ben finds Lewis attractive, and thinks of him as a someone who can understand him in a way Callum does not; but that trust is abused when Lewis crosses a line and rapes Ben."
*If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999.
*EastEnders airs Mondays through Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One.
