Ian Beale's 'EastEnders' return plot revealed?
Published Jun 17 2012, 13:35 BST | By Beth Hilton
Warning: This article contains spoilers that some readers may prefer to avoid. Please click here if you wish to continue.
Ian Beale will return to EastEnders as a tramp, reports claim.The cafe boss has been missing since his failed wedding to Mandy Salter last month and was last seen walking down the side of a motorway in his pyjamas and dressing gown.
© BBC
Viewers have also seen him struggle with financial pressures and the aftermath of Ben Mitchell's killer secret in recent weeks.
The Daily Star now claims that Ian has been living rough in London after suffering a mental breakdown.
Actor Adam Woodyatt reportedly returned to the set of the BBC soap last week and has shocked co-stars with his new look.
A show insider is quoted as saying: "Ian is unrecognisable. He's dishevelled, has long hair and a long beard. He looks like a proper tramp.
"Viewers will discover that since he left he's been living rough on the streets of London and has even become friends with other beer-drinking vagrants. It's a shocking storyline.
"A lot of the cast and crew couldn't believe Adam's amazing transformation."
Sharon Rickman, played by Letitia Dean, will also return to Walford around the same time that Ian is discovered.
© WENN
© BBC
The source added: "Sharon and Ian grew up together and are like family. If anyone can help him it's her. He's hit rock bottom and is in a bad way. He needs someone as close as Sharon to help him through. He's a broken man.
"There's also killer Ben's confession, which will be filmed next month. Whether Ian gets strong enough to turn him in remains to be seen but there's going to be one hell of a fallout."
Watch Ian Beale's EastEnders character trail in the video below:
If true this will be utterly ridiculous. His mental breakdown will have began and developed over about 10 episodes, completely unrealistic for a supposedly 'intelligent' drama. Frank Butcher's mental decline in the early 90's - leading to him vanishing for 2 years - was credible, but if true then the writers of the show must also be writing for 'The Beano' now.
No doubt we'll get some mental health charity praising the show's coverage of mental illness using any excuse to give themselves some publicity. Zzzzzzzz...... This once great show has become cardboard thin in its character and plot developments lately. Though I do applaud its increase in humour and more tender moments between the characters. Some of the scenes between Tanya and Abbie have been really sweet.
June 24th 2012 at 5:53pm
the eastendrs star who was murdered who did she play?
June 19th 2012 at 6:20pm
He'll return from his time in Bhutan, having trained in the ways of the Ninja, and take down the old school villains Phil Mitchell, Derek Branning, under the guise of... something elemental.
Only the void left by Phil and Derek will be filled by the psychotic clown Michael Moon...
June 18th 2012 at 5:31pm(+2 likes)
Are we going to have another unbelievable turnaround...On Sharon's return (Letitia must be short of work) is she going to feel sorry for her old pal Ian, and they get together as a couple
June 18th 2012 at 2:36pm
This story has the potential to unintentionally hilarious!!
June 18th 2012 at 2:17pm(+3 likes)