EastEnders' Ryder shares his secret in iPlayer story - as dark Ned story begins

EastEnders spoilers follow for Thursday's episode (8 October), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn’t yet aired on TV.

Ryder Hawkins shares his secret with auntie Nicola Mitchell in the latest episode of EastEnders, as his dark storyline with dad Ned begins. The new plot was confirmed earlier this week, and will see Ryder open up about his sexuality – though some relatives aren't so supportive.

In scenes that are available now on BBC iPlayer and air on BBC One this evening, the story begins as Ryder and Nicola continue to bond, Ryder revealing on the Square that he is meeting someone later.

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However, Ned arrives and chastises Ryder for leaving work early the day before, which he apologises for, though once Ryder leaves, Nicola takes the blame and stresses that Ryder needs to live his life.

"I've got no problem with him living his life, as long as it's the right one," Ned says threateningly.

Later at Harry's Barn, Ryder brings his friend Alice, and spotting Nicola enter he quickly leans in to kiss her to make it seem like it is a date. When Nicola questions her, she learns that the pair had literally just met, making it obvious Alice wasn't the mysterious person Ryder was speaking about to Nicola earlier.

When Alice goes off to the bathroom, Nicola suggests to Ryder that he brought her to Harry's Barn to make a point. Nicola says that she doesn't care who he dates – though he needs to treat Alice "right".

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Feeling guilt, Ryder speaks to Nicola privately, and as her nephew struggles to open up, she asks: "Would it be easier if I just said it… you're gay, am I right?"

Ryder confirms he is, leading Nicola to give him a supportive hug and share her love, though Ryder admits he wants to keep it quiet from Ned. While his aunt suggests that his fears about his dad could be unfounded, Ryder reckons that won't be the case.

Recalling a story of a boy on his football team who was cruelly bullied for being gay, which led the boy to leave altogether, Ryder reveals Ned reacted to the news by saying it was "probably for the best" and worse.

Ryder says that's when he fell out of love with football, as Nicola stresses that what his dad said was wrong, and that he shouldn't feel that he can't be himself around those who love him.

After encouragement from his aunt, Ryder later confirms that he has called the man he has been chatting to online, though Ned expresses suspicion around Nicola and Ryder's bond.

However, while outside Ned spots Ryder kissing a man in the Square and appears enraged.

The story is set to continue next week, as villainous Ned pushes his son to rejoin his old football team after Ryder is encouraged to return by his coach.

Nicola encourages him to open up to his mum about his sexuality, though as the son and mother are about to chat, Ned overhears and muscles in, with the storyline seeing him continue to cruelly push his son to conform.

EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

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