Ian Beale

Ian Beale
EastEnders character
Portrayed by	Adam Woodyatt
Duration	1985–present
First appearance	Episode 1 "Poor Old Reg" 19 February 1985 (1985-02-19)
Classification	Present; regular
Created by	Tony Holland
Introduced by	Julia Smith (1985) Chris Clenshaw (2022)
Spin-off appearances	Dimensions in Time (1993) EastEnders: E20 (2010) Last Tango in Walford (2010) The Walford Apprentice (2012) The Ghosts of Ian Beale (2014) The Queen Vic Quiz Night (2020) Race Across Yorkshire (2023) Tracey: A Day in the Life (2024)
In-universe information Occupation Student Boxer Chef Businessman Cashier Landlord Politician Councillor Family Beale/Watts Father Pete Beale Mother Kathy Beale Stepfather Phil Mitchell Gavin Sullivan Tom "Rocky" Cotton Half-brothers David Wicks Ben Mitchell Half-sisters Donna Ludlow Wife Cindy Williams (1989–1997) Mel Healy (1999–2001) Laura Dunn (2001–2004) Jane Collins (2007–2011, 2015–2020) Sharon Watts (2020–2021) Sons Peter Beale Bobby Beale Daughters Lucy Beale Adoptive sons Steven Beale Stepsons Albie Watts Grandsons Louie Beale Grandmothers Lou Beale Uncles Kenny Beale Ted Hills Aunts Maggie Flaherty Pauline Fowler Nephews Joe Wicks Nieces Bianca Jackson Lexi Pearce First cousins Eamonn Flaherty John Flaherty Conor Flaherty Elizabeth Beale Holly Wicks Mark Fowler Michelle Fowler Martin Fowler Tony Hills Sarah Hills Other relatives Colette Flaherty Eamonn Flaherty Jnr Declan Flaherty Kylie Flaherty Carl Flaherty Mary Flaherty Liam Butcher Tiffany Butcher Morgan Butcher Vicki Fowler Mark Fowler Jnr Bex Fowler Hope Fowler Roman Allen Nellie Ellis

Ian Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Adam Woodyatt. He is the drama's longest-serving main character and one of four remaining original characters, the others being his mother, Kathy (Gillian Taylforth), his long standing best friend and ex-wife, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) and Queen Vic barmaid, Tracey (Jane Slaughter). The character appeared in his 2,000th episode in the show on 26 March 2007,^[1] and his 3,000th on 27 May 2016.^[2] Woodyatt took an extended break from EastEnders on 22 January 2021.^[3][4] He made appearances on 12 December 2022 and 22 June 2023, prior to a full-time return on 22 August of that year.

Ian is the most-married character in EastEnders history, with six marriages to five women: Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), Mel Owen (Tamzin Outhwaite), Laura Beale (Hannah Waterman), twice to Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), and Sharon, and three aborted engagements to Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton), Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Cindy. He has fathered three children (Peter, Lucy and Bobby Beale), raised Cindy's son Steven Beale (who he believed to be his) and was the guardian of Cindy's youngest daughter, Cindy Williams. Ian is the owner of 45 Albert Square, traditionally represented within the series as the family home of the Beale and Fowler family. In 2020, he bought The Queen Victoria public house for Sharon, leaving after she poisoned him in revenge for his involvement in Dennis Rickman's (Bleu Landau) death on EastEnders' 35th anniversary.

Upon his return in 2023, he is back at 45 Albert Square reunited with his first wife Cindy after reuniting off-screen the year prior, who was going by the pseudonym "Rose Knight", after faking her death 25 years prior in a witness protection scheme due to giving information about her criminal inmate. After Cindy's witness protection officer reveals that Jackie Ford has died, Cindy resumes her former life. In Christmas 2024, Cindy's affair with Junior is revealed and he is a suspect in the "Who Attacked Cindy?" storyline for the show's 40th anniversary.