Peter Beale

EastEnders bosses have released new pictures showing newcomer Ben Hardy's first day on set.

Hardy arrives on screen tonight (June 7) as he takes over the role of Peter Beale, who is returning to Walford after more than two years away.

Thomas Law previously played Peter between 2006 and 2010.

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Ben Hardy checks out Peter's wardrobe.


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Ben looks through one of his scripts.


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The new-look Beale family.


Tonight's EastEnders episode is a big one for the Beales as Lucy (Hetti Bywater) is left devastated when she discovers that Ian (Adam Woodyatt) has been forging cheques from her account.

Lucy confronts her father over his shocking betrayal, but as the pair are in the middle of a row, Peter walks in…

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Peter Beale's return scene.

EastEnders airs tonight at 9pm on BBC One.

EastEnders star Ben Hardy has revealed that he won't be fazed by his character's kissing scenes.

Hardy, who plays the newly cast Peter Beale, isn't worried about taking his top off on the soap either.

Hardy told The Sun: "This is my first telly role but I've done countless kissing scenes in the past.

"The last play I did, I was naked, simulating sex! So for me a kissing scene on EastEnders will be a doddle.

"I've got my first topless scene coming up. I won't be stepping out the shower yet, it's more taking my T-shirt off to help a young lady. That's all I can say."

Hardy also admitted that he has already had his first on-screen fight with David Witts, who plays Joey Branning.

Hardy said: "We went for it. You don't want to go too far, but if you don't go far enough it's rubbish."

Next week's episodes will see Peter take troubled Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa)on a date. The pair previously had a relationship when they were much younger but Peter is unaware of Lauren's alcohol troubles.

"It's going to be very different for Peter when he meets Lauren again - he's never seen her as an alcoholic.

"Tanya tries to get Lauren and Peter back together, she thinks he'll be a good influence because he's a good boy. But the alcohol causes problems. It goes pear-shaped very quickly due to drinking."

EastEnders continues tonight at 8pm on BBC One.

if rumours are true some of his kissing scenes will involve a dude - talk of peter and danny getting together on twitter and facebook

EastEnders actor Ben Hardy has been on screen for less than three months, but is already enjoying recognition as he is up for two prizes at this year's Inside Soap Awards.

The actor, who has taken over the role of Peter Beale, is in the running for 'Best Newcomer' and 'Sexiest Male' at this year's ceremony.

With voting still open, Digital Spy chatted to Ben this week to hear his thoughts on the nods and Peter's secret.

How do you feel about being up for two Inside Soap Awards?
"I'm really flattered. I wasn't expecting to be up for anything, because I've only been in the show for a short period of time. It's great to be up for 'Best Newcomer' and 'Sexiest Male'."

Is there one that you'd prefer to win over the other?
"To be honest, I'm not expecting to win anything! If I could choose, I'd probably rather win 'Best Newcomer', just because it's more of a reflection upon acting ability rather than just looks. But obviously I'd be happy to win either, really."

EastEnders usually does well at the Inside Soap Awards, so do you think it'll be the same this year?
"I definitely think the show's in with a good chance, although you never really know with these things! I think the show deserves to win lots of awards, but we've just got to wait and see."

After a few months filming at EastEnders, how are you finding it?
"I've settled in quite quickly, which is really nice. I'd expected that it would take a lot longer to get used to everything, though I am still learning new things every day - different camera techniques and things like that. But I've been really pleased with how welcoming everyone has been."

Is it more daunting when you're playing a character who the viewers already knew beforehand?
"It was a little bit daunting in the sense that I knew from the start that there'd be people out there who wouldn't like what I was doing - regardless of what I did - because they were such strong fans of Thomas Law who played Peter before.

"That made things a little bit daunting, but I just take it with a pinch of salt, really! I know what it's like to watch TV and see a character played by a new actor. It does take a while to get used to, so I've had that in mind. I hoped people would get used to it and I think they have now."

What kind of feedback have you had from the fans?
"I saw a lot of good and bad when I first came on, but it's mainly good now and I get a lot of nice messages from fans on Twitter, which is really flattering to receive."

This week, we're seeing the camping episodes air. What were they like to film out on location?
"They were really good fun. To be honest, I hadn't been filming for long at the studios when we went out on location, but it was still nice to film somewhere new and try different things.

"One of the highlights was delving into Peter's secret which is revealed on screen. We've been building up to it for a long time now, so I really enjoyed that big reveal moment. I'm looking forward to seeing that scene myself - hopefully it'll be good and the viewers will enjoy it."

Peter's secret involves a friend in Devon who was swept out to sea. Did you know about this all along, or was it a surprise when you read it in the script?
"I knew most of it! I didn't know every single detail until I got the script, but I did know that Peter had a friend who died in Devon. I had that in mind all along to help me play the scenes building up to the big reveal."

Peter has never spoken to his friend's parents about what really happened, so do you think he needs to make amends there?
"I think he does - it's definitely an unresolved issue for Peter. The trouble is that Peter always has to deal with Ian's problems, so he doesn't always get a chance to address his own! For now it's something that he's put in a little box, but he definitely needs to deal with it at some point."

Will Cindy Junior carry on causing trouble for Peter?
"Well, I think her personality in general irritates Peter! She'll always be a thorn in his side. I really enjoy working with Mimi who plays Cindy, as she does a great job. I think it's a relationship that will carry on developing for a while."

There seems to be a spark between Peter and Lola, so is there potential for a romance?
"I think there definitely could be. Peter finds Lola attractive, although he finds lots of girls attractive! But I think there's a spark there between him and Lola, and some flirting between them too. We'll have to see where things go with that!"

Is he getting with Lauren again?

EastEnders' Peter Beale demands answers as the Beale family's grief continues in tomorrow night's episode (April 24).

Viewers saw Ian deliver the devastating news that Peter's twin sister Lucy had died last night, after her body was found on Walford Common.
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Peter is heartbroken about Lucy.
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Peter Beale is left heartbroken about the death of twin Lucy

The fallout continues for the rest of the week, with the focus of tomorrow's episode being solely set in the Beale house until the end.

A new preview clip sees DC Summerhayes ask Peter (Ben Hardy) if Lucy had any enemies, as an investigation continues into the events surrounding her death.

At this stage, the family believe that Lucy's demise was the result of a random mugging that went wrong. However, in episodes to be aired next week, the police realise that she was murdered and subsequently step up their investigation into the tragedy.

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Ben Hardy has backed his character Peter Beale's decision to dump Lola Pearce.

Next week's episodes see Peter tell Lola that they have to break up, shortly after he has made another move on Lauren Branning.

While Lola is adamant that they should find a way to make their romance work, Peter stands firm by insisting that it isn't fair to keep stringing her along.

Speaking to Inside Soap, Hardy explained: "I think Peter subconsciously took Lola on as a bit of a project. He liked a lot of her raw qualities when they first started seeing each other and thought maybe he could posh her up a little bit!

"But Lola's quite rightly put her foot down and been resistant to that, and I think that's when they first started having problems.

"It's wrong for Peter to try and change Lola - so when he breaks up with her, he's actually doing her a favour. They just don't work together. She's trying to be helpful with the Lucy situation but keeps asking Peter all the wrong questions. Peter doesn't have that problem with Lauren. She's just there for him when he needs her."

Hardy also shared his latest thoughts on the 'Who Killed Lucy?' mystery, admitting that Peter is starting to look suspicious.

He said: "My current theory is that Peter killed Lucy! There are a few factors that are suggesting to me that it's going to be him. However, I don't think he would have done it deliberately.

"I think Lucy's death might have been an accident - maybe Peter pushed her out of frustration and she hit her head. And then when we saw him crying at her funeral, it's because he's so devastated by the guilt of what he's done."

EastEnders fans will see Peter Beale turn to drugs after he hits rock bottom in a forthcoming storyline.

Peter, played by Ben Hardy, will reach his lowest ebb as the tragic death of his twin sister Lucy continues to take its toll on his wellbeing.

While the young market trader has spent most of the year struggling with his grief, he feels particularly vulnerable as his 21st birthday approaches next month.

Devastated that Lucy never got to reach the milestone birthday with him, Peter takes cocaine in a desperate bid to block out his own pain, according to the Daily Star Sunday today.

An EastEnders insider confirmed Peter's cocaine use to Digital Spy today (November 9), revealing that his bad decision will be a one-off rather than an ongoing drugs issue.

However, if Peter's father Ian finds out, his actions could prove to be an unwelcome reminder of Lucy's final days as she was also taking cocaine before her death.
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Peter overhears Lucy and Ian's conversation.
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Ian was devastated when he learned of Lucy's drug use, and their final moments on screen together saw them arguing over her dark secret.

taking drugs for his guilt of killing his twin sister perhaps

EastEnders star Ben Hardy is leaving the soap, Digital Spy can confirm.

The actor has been playing the role of Peter Beale since mid-2013.

An EastEnders spokesperson told Digital Spy today (November 19): "We can confirm Ben will be leaving EastEnders at the end of his contract."

Show bosses are keeping tight-lipped about further details, including how and when Hardy will bow out.

Speculation over Hardy's EastEnders future began overnight, when it was rumoured that he was in the running for a role in the next X-Men film Apocalypse.

Reports suggested that he was being lined up to play a young Cyclops, with Interstellar's Timothee Chalamet and Neverland's Charlie Rowe also supposedly in the frame.

Hardy was announced as the new Peter in April 2013 and arrived on screen in June of that year. Peter had last been seen in December 2010 with Thomas Law in the part.

Since the recast, Peter's storylines have included his romances with Lola Pearce and Lauren Branning, as well as his grief for his twin sister Lucy following her tragic murder.