EASTENDERS fans have moaned that an iconic character ‘isn’t the same man’ since returning to Albert Square.
Adam Woodyatt began playing Ian Beale in 1985 as part of the original cast when the show launched.
The character remained in the BBC soap consistently until 2021, when Adam took an extended hiatus to explore other projects.
Since making a permanent return last year, Ian has been reunited with his presumed dead wife Cindy (Michelle Collins), who was revealed to have been in witness protection.
However, some viewers aren’t happy with how writers have used Ian since being brought back to EastEnders.
Writing online, one viewer said: “Ian isn’t the same man since he returned.
“He’s completely disconnected from the square and his friends.”
Another commented: “I kind of feel that they haven’t done enough with Ian and Cindy since they returned.
“Such a huge “twist” and the show’s longest continuous character returning was such a big thing for the show but almost a year later, what have they done with them?
“Cindy’s connection with the Knights has given her more to do but where’s Ian? When did he last have a storyline?”
A third agreed, writing: “They just haven’t worked out since returning. Ian is a non character now and Cindy has been relegated to be a part of George’s stories.
“Ian and Cindy will be away this time next year IMO.”
Meanwhile, a fourth viewer penned: “It does seem very strange. We’ve seen virtually nothing of Ian and Cindy’s relationship and the Beale family’s home life.
“Peter is the child Cindy walked out on at the youngest age and grew up thinking she was dead.
“You’d think most of her efforts would be spent trying to reconnect with him. Instead we’ve got Cindy obsessing over George and their girls while Ian and Peter remain pretty much invisible.”
Another said: “It doesn’t help that, a year on, we’re still none the wiser as to how Ian and Cindy “found each other” again. It gives all their scenes together a surreal air.”
Throughout his long tenure in Walford, Ian has been married six times to five women and had two failed engagements.
He has also fathered three children and acted as a father figure to much younger half-brother, Ben Mitchell.
Ian is set for heartbreak in upcoming scenes, however, as he learns about Cindy’s kiss with her ex-husband George Knight (Colin Salmon).
EastEnders airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
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THE beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.
EastEnders follows the lives of the residents of Walford as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.
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