Ben’s been RUMBLED

When Aaron susses out Ben’s been lying, will it wreck their romance? We ask Emmerdale star Simon Lennon

Aaron’s fledgling relationship with Ben will be tested this week in Emmerdale when the mysterious newcomer is found to have been lying about his living arrangements.

Since the former schoolmates reconnected they’ve bonded over Aaron’s struggles with alcoholic half-sister Liv and are exploring becoming a couple. But after Aaron suggests they head to Ben’s place, and then the kayak hut, to take things to the next level, Ben rebuffs him with excuses.

This evasiveness leads to some digging around about Ben, and Aaron discovers from his CV that he’s been lying about where he lives. Shocked, Aaron confronts the usually confident Ben, who’s left reeling and spinning more excuses.

‘Ben is rocked by Aaron’s accusations and tries to do all he can to divert the conversation,’ says Simon Lennon, who plays Ben.

Ben has been acting suspiciously lately, including staying in the shadows at The Woolpack during a row between Aaron and a drunk man, who was seen by Liv being helped into a taxi by Ben. While Simon won’t reveal what secret Ben’s hiding, he explains why acted strangely. ‘Ben’s a proud person and feels embarrassed by his living arrangements, so doesn’t want anyone to know the truth,’ he says. ‘Also, because Aaron’s been going through such a hard time and Ben’s one of the only people he’s been confiding in, he’s worried about upsetting him. So Ben’s covering things up to avoid others getting his troubles.

‘We will in time find out Ben’s reasons for lying. The story is building from Aaron’s altercation, regarding what Ben’s relationship is to the drunk and what world there is for Ben outside the village.’

And despite Ben’s fibs, Simon believes his character’s bond with Aaron will not be broken.

‘Dishonesty is hard to get through, but Ben and Aaron have a strong enough history to retain their adoration for one another.’

Simon, who starred in BBC drama Our Girl, was cast in Emmerdale last summer. ‘It was a long process because of the pandemic but I’ve been warmly welcomed,’ says the 27-year-old, who splits his time between his London home and Emmerdale’s base in Leeds. ‘And Danny Miller who plays Aaron is fantastic to work with because he’s an instinctive character actor, so it makes my life much easier.’