Is Callum’s Betrayal the End of Ballum? What EastEnders Must Do Next!

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The secret relationship between Callum Highway (portrayed by Tony Clay) and Johnny Carter (played by Charlie Suff) has been revealed in a dramatic way on EastEnders.

The revelation led Phil Mitchell, Callum’s furious father-in-law played by Steve McFadden, to insist on gaining custody of granddaughter Lexi Pearce, who has been brought up for the past year by stepfathers Callum and Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick).

The disclosure spurred Phil Mitchell, Callum’s outraged father-in-law (Steve McFadden), to push for custody of granddaughter Lexi Pearce, who has been nurtured over the past year by stepfathers Callum and Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick).

But the biggest shock is still that Callum even strayed in the first place.

Instead of walking away, it was Callum who chose to stand firm in their relationship, even when Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden), who’s currently serving a six-year sentence for fraud in the U.S., attempted to provide an escape route.

Yet now, we can’t help feeling that he might as well have.

Surprisingly, it was not anticipated that steadfast and patient Callum would betray Ben or display minimal regret for his questionable deeds. Instead, he acted in a way that left many taken aback.

Since 2019, the pair affectionately known as ‘Ballum’ have held a special place in many hearts. Those who follow their story may remember that Callum has had past experiences with unfaithfulness.

After admitting his relationship with Ben to his former fiancée, Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), Callum finally conquered his apprehensions and embraced his identity as a gay man.

Over time, it became clear that Callum found contentment in exclusivity, and considering the depth of his long-lasting affection for Ben, it seemed unlikely he would stray from their union – that is, until he unexpectedly did so.

The instant when Callum kissed Johnny for the first time didn’t have a grand lead-up; instead, it was a somewhat unexpected moment, triggered by an unceremonious account of Ben acting up in prison, resulting in him losing his phone privileges.

Indeed, Ben’s actions align perfectly with his brand personality, yet it was unexpected as we hadn’t been aware of such behavior before, following the early 2025 update suggesting Ben was thriving. More recently, Callum mentioned that Ben felt he needed to socialize more.

Ben being in segregation was used as justifiable context for Callum to turn to another man.

Despite acknowledging Callum’s anger following his numerous acts of forgiveness towards Ben, his quick action in sharing a bed with Johnny seemed quite unusual for a man who typically would have resorted to other ways of dealing with stress.

None of which have ever been explored in the months we’ve seen him living without his partner.

We’ve been eager for some time to explore the untold story of Callum, who deals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and has a background in law enforcement, so that he can shine on his own accomplishments.

It’s unfortunate that he’s spending so much extra time on a storyline that doesn’t suit him, transforming him into someone else, almost like a character swap. In this new setup, it seems Callum is usually the one pursuing Johnny.

In shifting the responsibility onto Ben and offering explanations to Phil, Callum subsequently mentioned that Ben’s psychological state has become unstable again; a circumstance that further tarnishes the image of Callum’s affair.

In a heartfelt manner, his discourse on the lengthy care he provided for Lexi exuded desperation, yet there were hints of loneliness that might have been explored more deeply and effectively at an earlier time and through alternative means.

Regarding the topic of overlooked and undeveloped characters, it seems that aside from assisting his mother, Linda Carter (played by Kellie Bright), with her struggles against alcoholism, and aiding in the concealment of Keanu Taylor’s (portrayed by Danny Walters) murder, Johnny has not had much opportunity for personal growth or independent storylines.

Johnny might have benefited from having another task or focus during that period. Being sandwiched between a beloved EastEnders duo didn’t seem to enhance his storyline.

With Phil becoming increasingly aggressive and whispers circulating about Ben’s possible comeback, what’s the best approach for the show in moving forward?

It’s typical for soaps to have dramas like this, but it remains unclear whether the love story between Callum and Ben can be rekindled, or if viewers will still find it believable after all that has happened.

As a cinephile, it might be wise for the character Callum to show some self-reflection, given his knack for suppressing any feelings of guilt – particularly since Jay is quick to point out Ben’s shortcomings when he’s not present to respond.

It seems that Callum claims he still has feelings for Ben, but recent actions don’t provide strong support for this statement.

As a devoted cinephile, I eagerly anticipate any potential return of Ben, whether through acting or some other creative avenue. If he does, I believe it’s crucial for us to delve into his personal insights about his own life and reactions to Callum’s actions, as they form the heart of the narrative that truly resonates with us viewers.

Regarding Johnny, he’s frequently observed moving between The Queen Vic, or providing legal counsel whenever the script demands it.

Now’s the time to really flesh Johnny out as a character.

Instead of continuing the storyline between Callum and Johnny covertly on EastEnders, it seems like a wise decision. However, we’re left puzzled about what their ultimate objective might be.

Let’s just hope Callum’s reputation isn’t beyond repair.

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2025-07-16 22:04