EastEnders’ Callum and Johnny to get caught out – here’s why it changes everything
A familiar face is back in Walford…
EastEnders star Tony Clay has spoken about the relationship between Callum Highway and Johnny Carter, with the pair set to be in hot water after a familiar face returns to Walford next week.
Callum and Johnny have pursued a romance in recent months as the former has attempted to move on with his life following the imprisonment of his husband Ben Mitchell last year.
A spanner will be thrown in the works next week, however, as Ben surprisingly arrives in East London for the funeral of Callum’s father Jonno, with Callum understandably being stunned by his husband’s appearance.
“Callum is in a state of total shock – he can’t believe it,” said Clay, who plays Callum. “He’s made a decision about his life and what he’s going to do in terms of the relationship with Johnny and then boom!
“Ben’s arrival derails his whole plan, and Callum is suddenly thrown into a very different world. Now it’s not clear if he’s going to do what he’d planned and go for Johnny or if seeing Ben is going to change everything.”
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“What I can say is that Ben’s arrival massively messes with his head, and in classic Walford fashion, nothing is simple,” teased the actor, who made his debut on the iconic BBC soap in 2018.
The reunion between Callum and Ben sees Clay on screen with Max Bowden for the first time in a year, with Clay saying: “It was exciting to have such a big, emotional moment and get to explore their relationship and where it is right now.
“Ben and Callum, as a couple, have a lovely, strong following who are very supportive of us, which is lovely. There have been a lot of ups and downs for them as a couple, so it’s going to be really interesting to see what happens next.”
The development comes after Kathy Beale spots Callum sharing a kiss with Johnny, and she promptly tells the Mitchells about what’s happened. Callum, however, has a few choice words for the family.
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“He thinks they shouldn’t be coming after him about Johnny when none of them are perfect!” revealed Clay. “There are very good reasons why Callum has gone off and had an affair with Johnny.
“Callum is trying to take control of his life after things have been so out of control for such a long time. Everyone makes mistakes, and Callum feels like he’s being attacked by people who’ve all done wrong themselves.”
While Clay shared that Callum will be “saddened” by the reaction of the Mitchells, he doesn’t cave into their pressure, and instead asks his rock Johnny to attend the funeral by his side.
The confrontation he has with the Mitchells makes Callum realise who has actually been there for him during all of this,” explained Clay. “Everyone else has taken Ben’s side immediately when they found out Callum had been unfaithful.
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“He’s been left to raise Lexi and done everything alone for a long time because Ben got himself sent to prison. During that time, Johnny has been there for Callum and checking in on him to make sure he’s alright.
“Callum has started to think that is how things should be in a relationship, rather than the chaos that surrounds his marriage to Ben. He’ll always love Ben, but at this point in his life, he wants some peace!”
The drama comes at an inopportune time given Callum is grieving the loss of his father despite their often fractious relationship. As Clay explains, this leads to a sense of “confliction” within Callum, who sees the good and bad in Jonno.
“There was a lot about Jonno that was really bad – his views, the way he lived his life and the way he’s treated Callum, Stuart and their mum,” said the actor. “He’s the very opposite of Callum in pretty much every way.
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“But when Jonno showed up again, Callum decided to see where things would go and if their relationship could be fixed, so I think he’s grieving what might have been, rather than the man Jonno was.”
Speaking of Stuart, he returns to Albert Square after a three-year absence as Ricky Champ reprises his role, and Clay shared that Callum is extremely happy to see his brother once again.
“It’s amazing for him because they’ve got a really special bond,” said the actor. “It’s been fractured at times, and they’ve been through a lot over the years, but [they] are in a really good place now. So, when he sees his brother, he feels that he’s not on his own.”