EastEnders fans poured praise on Ben Mitchell and Jay Brown after their long-standing friendship managed to sustain an explosive fight.
Thursday night’s episode of the BBC soap saw Jay (Jamie Borthwick) say he wanted nothing to do with Ben’s (Harry Reid) whole family after believing he had discovered Phil Mitchell’s dark secret.
Can Ben and Jay's friendship survive this Phil sized wedge?? 😡 pic.twitter.com/LUMearKjpY
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) August 24, 2017
Fists flew as the row descended into a heated brawl, but the pair had made up again by the end of the show, sitting down together for “a beer and a game” – and ice packs for the bruises.
It proved to be a heartwarming moment for fans, who described the “bromance” as one of the best on the show.
“Ben and jay will always be brothers,” commented Summaya over Twitter, while Lucas Williamson commented: “Ben and Jay Best of friends and brothers #EastEnders my favourite on-screen partnership on the square.”
Ben and Jay Best of friends and brothers #EastEnders my favourite on-screen partnership on the square @HarryReid16
— Lucas williamson ❗️ (@007claw) August 24, 2017
Ben and jay will always be brothers❤️❤️❤️❤️💙💙💙💙 #Eastenders
— Summaya❤️😝😎🤓😜 (@summaya_i) August 24, 2017
Daniel Bevis added: “The brotherly bromance between Jay and Ben was great tonight! ?? Ben being genuinely loss for words at one point for one #EastEnders.”
The brotherly bromance between Jay and Ben was great tonight! ?? Ben being genuinely loss for words at one point for one #EastEnders
— Daniel_Bevis 👕🎨🌈 (@Daniel_Bevis) August 24, 2017
Forget Mayweather vs McGregor, it's all about Ben vs Jay 👊🏻🤕 #eastenders
— Lise 🐱 (@Flutterwing07) August 24, 2017
Many said it reminded them of the famous clash between Mitchell brothers Grant (Ross Kemp) and Phil (Steve McFadden), with Kel Crompton summarising: “It’s Phil and Grant all over again!”
It's Phil and Grant all over again! 💪👊 #Jay #Ben #Mitchellbrothers #Eastenders
— Kel 💚 (@Kel_Crompton) August 24, 2017
Love how Jay and Ben are turning into Phil and Grant #eastenders
— Kate hates fibro (@kateprewett) August 24, 2017
Jay & Ben = the new Grant & Phil #eastenders @bbceastenders
— Miss Lovemore (@KimberleyLove) August 24, 2017
But Reid has teased fans further with an Instagram post reading: “The brotherhood will never be the same again #eastenders #mitchells”.
EastEnders continues on BBC 1 at 8pm on Friday