EastEnders fans thrilled as the BBC soap teases the return of iconic character

EastEnders fans were overjoyed after watching Thursday’s episode as the BBC soap teased the return of iconic character Ian Beale.

It was recently reported that Adam Woodyatt will reprise his iconic role as Ian later this year, alongside Michelle Collins as the presumed deceased Cindy Beale.

As Kathy began putting together the guest list for her and Rocky’s wedding, she said she would like Ian to be at the wedding.

Kathy was talking to partner Rocky Cotton about her son when he pointed out that Ian had been “convicted of fraud, embezzlement, exploitation and blackmail” more times than they could count.

Kathy insisted she would love her son no matter what, while Rocky promised he would do whatever it took to get him to the wedding.

Family: As Kathy began putting together the guest list for her and Rocky’s wedding, she said she would love to have Ian at the wedding

Rocky spoke to new Queen Vic bartender George Knight and Martin Fowler about trying to track down Ian, with George offering some cryptic advice from personal experience.

He told Rocky, “Believe me, if they don’t want to be found, they don’t stand a chance.”

Rocky then asked Ian’s son Bobby Beale for help, but when speaking of his father’s return, he said, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Viewers are now on edge wondering if the iconic character will return, with one penning: ‘Looks like they’re going to detonate the Ian bomb’

Another wrote: ‘Rocky will make it happen – get Ian to the wedding’

A third said: ‘Ngl I think it’s such a stroke of genius to bring Ian back; interact with all the new characters in the square’

One fan wrote: ‘Ian will definitely be back then’

Adam made a shock return to EastEnders in December for the first time since leaving the soap in 2021 in a surprise scene during Dot Branning’s funeral episode.

Rocky then asked Ian’s son Bobby Beale for help, but when he spoke about his father’s return, he said: ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea’

A quiet farewell: EastEnders heavyweight Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) returned to Walford in December after his 2021 departure to pay tribute to the late Dot Branning

Viewers are now on edge wondering if the iconic character will return, with one penning: ‘Looks like they’re going to detonate the Ian bomb’

Elsewhere in the episode, Suki ended her affair with Eve after Vinny made her choose between her or the family.

It comes after Nish was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm after his fight with Suki on Tuesday’s episode.

Nish (Navin Chowdhry) was surprised when DC Miles and DC Highway arrived at his house late at night and asked to talk to Suki (Balvinder Sopal) about her hospitalization for falling down the stairs.

While the police were eager for Suki to come to the station and answer a few questions without Nish present, he insisted on going instead.

Suki panicked and immediately suspected it was Eve who called the police on Nish, but viewers soon learned it was actually Mish, who quietly watched as Nish was taken away.

At the station, Nish continued to insist that he had done nothing wrong and that Suki had simply tripped and fallen down the stairs after they had an argument.

Relationship: Elsewhere in the episode, Suki ended her affair with Eve after Vinny made her choose between her or the family

Issue: EastEnders viewers rejoiced when Nish was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm after his altercation with Suki on Tuesday’s episode

“I came in voluntarily and answered all your questions. It was a little domestic quarrel, it’s not enough to hold me,” he said.

Detective Miles then told Nish they would keep him and said, “Okay, except last week we got a tip from a woman about you and an organized crime group.”

“Now we’ve discovered it came from a phone booth near your local restaurant. Nish Panesar, I am arresting you on suspicion of actual bodily harm.”

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.