EastEnders fans were left frustrated following Monday night's instalment of the hit BBC1 soap, which saw Suki Panesar leave struggling Ben Mitchell for dead in the street.
Ben, played by 27-year old Max Bowden, appeared to overdose on drugs amidst his ongoing battle in coming to terms with the trauma of being raped by barman Lewis Butler (Aidan O'Callaghan, 33) in June.
The son of Phil Mitchell and Kathy Beale was seen lying in a pile of rubbish as he reached out and called Suki's name as she approached, but she subsequently ignored him and walked away.
It's been a very difficult time for Ben of late, who is also dealing with the breakup of his marriage to Callum Highway ( Tony Clay, 30).
Viewers flocked to social media to criticise the actions of the character Suki, who is played by Balvinder Sopal, 42.
One fan commented: "Not gonna lie, I found tonight’s #Eastenders incredibly upsetting and I think it’s all gone too far. Time to wrap it up, and I hope they don’t wrap it up in the saddest way."
Another wrote: "F*** you Suki, this is why I've never like her. She keeps putting on the blame on Ben when if it was not for her he wouldn't have need protection then to leave Ben to die."
A third added: "Oh my god.. Suki is so evil and she left Ben when he needed her help."
A fourth said: "OMG Suki really is unbelievable. Willingly walking away, casually just leaving Ben to die. Does she genuinely think that's somehow magically gonna fix her family? More like made it a billion times worse if anything seriously."
Earlier in the episode, meanwhile, Ben avoided a family dinner and seeing his daughter Lexi - instead choosing to attend a drug-fuelled party with his old school friend, James.
The pair then kissed, which sparked memories of his ordeal at the hands of Lewis, resulting in hallucinations of his attacker, before James sent him home.
Ben then realised he was late for the family dinner, and left Lexi an emotional voicemail telling her he was on his way. But as he made his way there, he collapsed onto a pile of bin bags and dropped his phone, barely able to move.
*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.
