This week on EastEnders, Thomas Law’s Peter Beale returns to Walford, much to the pleasure of the character’s long-suffering followers.
As longtime viewers will recall, the former regular made a surprise comeback in the BBC One soap opera back in June. Former performer Thomas Law reprised the part for the first time since leaving the show in 2010.
In the context of Cindy Beale’s (Michelle Collins) great return plot, which saw the character in question make a comeback after 25 years, Peter was observed in France, where he reconnected with dad Ian (Adam Woodyatt).
After witness protection expired, Cindy was eager to bring her family back to Walford. However, Ian was quick to dispel such a notion when he learned that it was also home to her children Anna and Gina (Molly Rainford and Francesca Henry), as well as her previous boyfriend George Knight (Colin Salmon).
Peter, in contrast, learned of Anna and Gina’s existence earlier this week and was shocked to learn that he has two sisters he was unaware of.
Following Kathy Beale’s (Gillian Taylforth) decision to sell the chippie and Bobby Beale’s (Clay Milner Russell) desire to get him back on the Square, Peter made the decision to take advantage of his brother’s request by travelling to Walford in an effort to get to know the sisters he was unaware he had. Peter returned home earlier this week.
Fans are overjoyed to see Peter back in his rightful place, but considering the circumstances behind his departure, some people in the Square, especially Kathy and Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden), won’t be happy to see him.
Do you have trouble remembering what happened? Do not worry; we have included a little reminder below to help.
What transpired between Peter, Kathy, and Ben for him to depart EastEnders?
After a fierce argument with his grandmother Kathy and brother Bobby, Peter, who was being portrayed at the time by Dayle Hudson, left Walford in July of last year, disowning his family as he gathered his stuff and went straight for the Tube station.
Due to the fact that Kathy was not only aware of what her son did, but also gave him an alibi, leaving Peter without anybody to support his version of events, he left since he learned that Ben was the one who assaulted him outside a nightclub some months before.
Ben (Aidan O’Callaghan), who had been sexually assaulted by Lewis Butler, was going through a really difficult period at the moment and turned to assaulting homophobes. Ben mistakenly believed Peter to be a homophobe from earlier in the day and assaulted him severely. Peter was dressed similarly.
Soon after learning the truth, Kathy swore to keep it a secret.
Despite his sentiments, Peter resolved to remain silent after learning what Ben had done. That is, until Bobby was horrified when Ben revealed to him that he had sex with Dana Monroe (Barbara Smith).
Peter finally changed his mind and reported his uncle to the police after realising he had nothing to lose. Kathy, who was horrified by what Peter had done, begged her grandson to change his story to the police, but he wouldn’t budge.
As a result, Kathy acted and gave Ben a fake alibi, which ultimately resulted in his freedom.
Peter was devastated by Kathy’s treachery, and indignant Ben called him a ‘grass’ before pushing his own nephew’s head into the washbasin and briefly holding him under water.
Peter, who was devastated by how his family had treated him, made the decision to leave Walford, much to Kathy’s dismay after she pleaded with him to stay but to no effect.
Peter cleared out Kathy’s account while having access to the money as manager at Walford East at the time, putting her in a difficult situation that forced her to sell the chippy.
Ben isn’t shown any indications of forgiving Peter as he confronts his nephew about his sins in the forthcoming scenes, but Peter is determined to make amends anyway.
Mondays through Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on BBC One, or watch episodes first thing every morning at 6 a.m. on BBC iPlayer.
