Family left fearing the worst as THIS Home and Away favourite's world falls apart
Can the Astoni family pull together at a time of crisis?
Today's Home and Away sees Ben Astoni hitting rock bottom as his world crumbles around him following his recent drug trafficking charge.
Home and Away fans will know that Ben has been framed for a serious crime after drugs were smuggled out of the country using his surfboard order.
But while he might be totally innocent, all the evidence points to Ben and he is facing a lengthy stint in jail if he ends up being found guilty in court.
However, it's not just the thought of going to prison that is getting Ben down.
He has also lost his board business thanks to being charged with such a serious crime and, as everything he has worked so hard for shatters around him, Ben is struggling to cope.
Today's Home and Away sees Maggie and Ziggy trying to get Ben excited about the day, offering for him to join them for coffee or a surf... but Ben puts on a brave face and tells his family that he has lots to do around the house.
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But once Maggie and Ziggy have gone out for the day, it is clear that Ben is struggling with having no direction in his life and even the simple job of mowing the lawn proves to be too much.
When Ziggy gets home later with Willow and Bella in tow, Ben makes a hasty exit, but not before Ziggy's innocent comment that it's good to see him leaving the house gets taken the wrong way by the troubled dad.
Later when Maggie gets home, she finds Ben sitting alone in the garden, deep in thought.
But while he said he has lots to do around the house, it is clear that nothing has been done and Ben struggles to give a good reason for why he hasn't done the work he promised.
With Ben spiralling into a dark place, Maggie is desperately worried about her husband and knows that something needs to change if she is to help him.
But will her support and love be enough to get him out of the hell he is currently living?
Watch Home and Away every weekday at 1.15pm and 6pm on Channel 5
Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.
After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off.
She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!
As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.