HOTTES NEWS TODAY!!! EastEnders announces powerful new Will Mitchell storyline in special week

EastEnders will air a powerful storyline next month as part of the BBC’s Caring Matters week. From Saturday, 23 May until Saturday, 30 May, the BBC “will shine a light on the experiences of unpaid carers and the role they play in families and communities across the country”.

The soap will feature a storyline that shows Will Mitchell attempting to juggle caring for his nine-year-old sister Janet, who has Down’s Syndrome, while supporting his family at home.

Will is left to care for the family while his mother Honey recovers from a recent injury.

There’s no word on what Honey’s injury will be or how it will happen, though recent weeks have seen her struggle with menopause symptoms.

Honey is also still, unknowingly, being taken advantage of by Bea, who signed up for a credit card in her name and has been running up a bill.

In a press release, the BBC said: “Through powerful stories, trusted information and practical guidance, Caring Matters will not only highlight the challenges that come with providing care, but also what we can all do to better recognise, understand and support the unpaid carers around us.”

The broadcaster has worked with several charities, including Carers UK, Carers Trust, Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK, The Children’s Society, Mencap, Mind, The Mental Health Foundation, The Open University and Citizen’s Advice.

The flagship programme of the week, Natalie Cassidy: Caring Together, will see the former EastEnders icon training to be a carer over eight episodes.

Natalie, who played Sonia Fowler on the soap for over 30 years, will be enrolling at one of the UK’s top Health & Social Care colleges and will “study, train, and work alongside health and social care students, care professionals, volunteers and home carers”.

The synopsis adds: “Together they’ll be putting the spotlight on a dilemma we’ll all face at some point in our lives – who will care for our parents, our partners, our children… and who will care for us?”

EastEnders’ Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) will receive some devastating news next week when the truth about his mother is revealed.

The Walford legend, who grew up in care, was recently stunned to discover he has a secret second family, after his dad Stevie Mitchell (Alan Ford) came back into his life after decades of absence.

Billy’s brother Teddy (Roland Manookian) and nephews Harry (Elijah Holloway) and Barney (Lewis Bridgeman) arrived in Albert Square last week, but viewers know Stevie is still lying to Billy about his relationship with Teddy’s mum.

Forthcoming scenes will see Billy throw a surprise birthday party in The Vic for his dad, and as he talks to son Will (Freddie Phillips) about his long-lost mum having the same birthday as Stevie, Billy admits he has no idea where she is living.

Meanwhile, over at the café, Phil Mitchell’s (Steve McFadden) suspicions are spiked when he witnesses a meeting between Teddy and Stevie and overhears Teddy warning his dad to stop lying.

Phil soon enlists the help of his trusted lawyer Ritchie Scott (Sian Webber) to do some digging.

Back at The Vic, Stevie is overjoyed to see the effort Billy has gone to in arranging his party, and Billy gives a speech, in which he wishes his mum well, wherever she is.

But the party atmosphere is ruined when Phil rocks up armed with evidence Ritchie has uncovered about Stevie, taking him aside to issue him an ultimatum.

Ushering everyone back to No. 18, Stevie then confesses to Billy that his mum is dead.

Billy is left devastated by the news. Will Stevie elaborate on what exactly happened? And if so, will this revelation blow the Mitchells apart?