On the Mother’s Day episode of EastEnders that aired on Monday (March 20), Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) was addressed for the first time in months.
The question of whether Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) had heard from her other son, Ian, came up when she sat down for a Mother’s Day meal at the Queen Vic with son Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) and grandson Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell).
Bobby inquired after reading a card from Ben, “Have you heard from dad?”
He did send me one of those eCards, however. It was clear that he couldn’t extend to a stamp, could he?” she said.
Fans reacted favourably to this remark and speculated that it may be paving the way for the character to make a comeback.
One fan enquired, “Ian mention so coming back when?”
Another believed they must be in communication since “Ian sent Kathy an e-card”!
Maybe?
After 36 years in the Square, the recognisable figure left Walford in 2021.
He left after finding that Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), a former acquaintance who was involved in the killing of her son Denny, had been attempting to assassinate him.
He made a fleeting cameo in 2022 at the burial of adored Dot Cotton, but he avoided eye contact with the other mourners, fueling speculation that he could be planning a long-term comeback.
Towards the conclusion of the episode, which aired in December, Ian could be seen talking on the phone with an unknown individual. Chris Clenshaw, the show’s producer, emphasised that they knew who the caller was even though he wouldn’t say who it was, implying that Ian could have more tales to tell in the future.
He said, “I guess Adam’s a little bit busy right now, but Adam is Ian Beale.”
Adam is presently performing as Alfred P. Doolittle on a UK tour with the My Fair Lady musical company.
The tour is scheduled to expire in April, so there’s a good possibility Adam will be available for another EastEnders season.