Could the iconic character be making a return? (Picture: BBC)
Few soap characters are as recognisable or as meme-able as Ian Beale.
Played by Adam Woodyatt, the iconic EastEnders character first appeared on our screens on the soap’s debut episode in 1985.
He is the show’s longest-serving character and has really been through the wringer, embarking on five marriages, owning various businesses, and holding the title of the soap’s longest feud as he warred with Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden).
Ian left the soap in 2021, though it wasn’t the last we saw of him as he was briefly seen at Dot Cotton’s funeral, on the phone to a mysterious person.
But will we see Ian Beale in Walford Square again? Here’s what we know.
Is Ian Beale returning to EastEnders?
The rumours are true – Ian will be returning to the soap alongside former wife Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) who was previously presumed dead.
Both Cindy and Ian Beale are returning to the show (Picture: BBC Picture Archives)
Ian and Cindy’s tumultuous relationship began in 1989 when they met, and soon got engaged the following year.
However, Cindy had a one-night stand with Simon Wicks (Nick Berry) which results in her becoming pregnant with son Steven Beale.
Ian and Cindy marry with Cindy leading him to believe Steven is his baby. In typical soap style, however, the truth eventually comes out in explosive fashion leading Ian to attempt suicide before seeking revenge on Simon.
Following a car crash caused by Ian; Cindy, Simon, and Steven left Walford together, marking the end of Ian and Cindy’s relationship. though Cindy returned in 1992 after being abandoned by Simon.
However, Cindy returned to the show in 1992 after being abandoned by Simon. Ian and Cindy reconciled, welcoming twins Lucy and Peter Beale.
It wasn’t long until Cindy returned to her cheating ways, embarking on affairs with lifeguard Matt (Toby Walton), and Simon’s half-brother David Wicks (Michael French).
The pair’s tumultuous relationship finally ended in 1998 when Ian was informed Cindy had died (Picture: AGENT/BBC)
Ian and Cindy’s final bitter split after Ian caught Cindy cheating leads her to take drastic action so as not to lose custody of her children, hiring a hitman to kill Ian.
Though she changes her mind, Ian is still shot and Cindy becomes the prime suspect in the case, leading her to flee the Square with her sons leaving Lucy behind.
Ian tracked her to Italy, and Cindy eventually goes to prison after her murderous past catches up with her. While incarcerated, in 1998 Ian receives news that Cindy has died after giving birth to boyfriend Nick Holland’s (Dominic Taylor) child.
Michelle Collins will reprise her iconic role as Cindy for the grand return.
Ian is also set to return to the Square in the shocking storyline, with show bosses recently teasing his journey back to the show.
Show boss Chris Clenshaw told us amid Dot’s funeral: ‘I called Adam and told him our plans and said Ian had to be there, and he agreed.
‘It was kind of as simple as that.
‘Ian didn’t make it into the church, but he said his own private goodbye to Dot. So that’s how it came about. Adam wanted to be there for June and he knew that Ian should be there for Dot.
‘He’s on the phone to someone! We know who! I think Adam’s a little bit busy at the moment, but Adam is Ian Beale.’
It is presumed the person he was on the phone to was Cindy, whose return will bowl over the residents of the Square – most of all, Ian’s mum Kathy Beale (Gilliam Taylforth).
Adam recently told the Daily Star that he ‘doesn’t know’ where life will take him next, admitting that he could even end up doing ‘load of stage work’, or even films.
‘I’ll see what happens’, he said, talking about life after EastEnders. ‘At the moment I’m quite happy’.
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He’s been an iconic character since the show’s inception.
