Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) has made an unexpected temporary EastEnders exit.
The character truly has seen it all in the 40 years since he first appeared on our screens as a fresh-faced teenager, so it’s no wonder that he’s decided to take a break.
In the last six months he’s discovered his ex-wife Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was cheating on him, and that his mother Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) attacked her with a snow shovel.
With the revelation out in the open, Cindy then shot him, before pushing him in front of a car that ignited an explosion at The Queen Vic.
In the aftermath she threatened to reveal her assault to the police – unless the Beales handed over their businesses. Kathy eventually caved and signed over The Prince Albert bar, unaware of the next big bombshell that was awaiting.
Cindy had witnessed Kath’s affair with Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman), and after grabbing the keys to the boozer, exposed the dalliance to all of their neighbours.
Ian couldn’t believe what his mother had been up to, and now has Harvey living under his roof.
If the family drama wasn’t bad enough, son Peter (Thomas Law) has struggled to bond with his newborn Jimmy after the youngster was diagnosed with a visual impairment.
In tonight’s episode, he felt uncomfortable hearing Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine) talk so positively about his son’s condition.
His fiancée Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) noticed how he was reluctant to hold the baby, and staged an intervention with Cindy and Kathy.
It was during the difficult conversation that Ian’s absence was addressed.
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He’s jetted to the other side of the world to catchup with some old mates – Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) and Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully).
Michelle has been based in Australia for a number of years, and Sharon went to stay with her in the wake of Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) death. She initially went to visit her granddaughter Alyssa, but has since made her quick exit into some sort of world tour, with Ian along for the ride!
Back in Walford, things were escalating between Peter and Lauren, with her leaving him alone with the baby while she tried to score a drink at The Vic.
Thankfully, nobody would serve her, so she found comfort elsewhere. Zack Hudson (James Farrar) was on hand to offer some advice, and the two ended up kissing.
