Susan order Ben to stay away from Xanthe, she tells him that she has come up with several ideas to get around the ban. But Ben is reluctant to go against his grandparents' wishes. In April 2016, it was announced that Xanthe and Ben would star in an online spin-off titled Xanthe ♥ Ben. The 20-part series was available via the show's Instagram account, and focused on the characters before and after the Lassiters' Hotel explosion. Xanthe and Ben take a bag of money belonging to Tom Quill (Kane Felsinger) from the hotel. Van der Meer pointed out that Ben and Xanthe were slowly forming "a connection". Although Ben appears uninterested, Xanthe is "infatuated" and Van der Meer commented that she is "very forward" in her approach. The actress hoped the characters would eventually get together. Angus Beaumont-Hannay (Jai Waetford) later takes an interest in Xanthe. Angus also steals Ben's share of Tom Quill's money, leading Ben to try and break into Angus's school locker to get it back. The boys fight and Angus tells Susan that they were fighting over Xanthe, which pleases her. Xanthe spends time with Ben after he is suspended and feels that they are getting on well. However, she is "left humiliated" when Ben tells her the real reason why he and Angus were fighting. Xanthe is also annoyed with Angus, but he wins her over with his "charms". Waetford said Angus is "super flirty" with Xanthe. He buys her things and realises that he may have a reason to stay in Erinsborough after all. Angus later helps Xanthe get out of an English exam, by pulling the fire alarm and his actions win her "approval". Ben and Xanthe attend the school formal together and finally start dating. Xanthe purchases an expensive dress for the dance and keeps the tags on, so she can return it. However, Piper later throws a drink at teacher Elly Conway (Jodi Anasta) and Xanthe is accidentally drenched. As Xanthe worries about how she can pay for the dress, Ben distracts her with a kiss. However, the following day Xanthe learns that Gary paid Ben to take her to the formal and she is "heartbroken" by the revelation, leading her to end their relationship. A few weeks later, Xanthe and Ben arrange a date, but Xanthe is late when she becomes trapped in a shed with a snake. Xanthe calls