Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt)

[alan45]

EastEnders bosses have officially confirmed that Ian Beale will suffer a mental breakdown in the coming weeks.

As indicated in recent spoilers released by the BBC soap, Ian's behaviour becomes erratic in upcoming episodes as he struggles under the pressure of his financial problems, troubles with fiancée Mandy Salter, and his half-brother Ben Mitchell's killer secret.

The storyline culminates in Ian (Adam Woodyatt) doing a disappearing act from Walford, sparking concern about his whereabouts.

EastEnders' executive producer Lorraine Newman told The Mirror: "Adam puts in a fabulous performance as a man teetering on the edge of a breakdown, who finally spirals when delivered a catastrophic blow by someone close to him."

A Walford insider added: "Viewers have seen Ian become increasingly frantic whilst trying to juggle his desperate financial affairs as well as many problems within his family.

"His state of mind gets progressively worse over the next few weeks, with Ian disappearing from Walford and his family frantically worried."

Show chiefs worked with mental health charities Mind and Time to Change while devising the storyline.

Time to Change spokesperson Jenni Regan commented: "We hope an accurate portrayal of what it's like to have a mental health problem, showing this can happen to anyone such as a businessman or family man - just like Ian - will help eliminate the stigma and taboo around the issue."

[tammyy2j]

Must be hard also to see his ex dead wife on tv pulling pints nightly

Surprised Ian hasnt had a breakdown before all they has happened to him especially his love life

[Glen1]

Ian's breakdown probably going to extend the Ben storyline to Xmas, heaven help us , the prospect of which is putting me into meltdown.

[parkerman]

Ian's breakdown probably going to extend the Ben storyline to Xmas, heaven help us , the prospect of which is putting me into meltdown.

Ah yes, but it could all end in an explosive episode that will rock the Square.

[Chloe O'brien]

Ah yes, but it could all end in an explosive episode that will rock the Square.

Are we having a raffle to see who is going to die this Christmas day in the square?

[moonstorm]

Oh that's not a bad idea. We could have a sweepstake.

[Perdita]

Ian Beale will return to EastEnders as a tramp, reports claim.

The cafe boss has been missing since his failed wedding to Mandy Salter last month and was last seen walking down the side of a motorway in his pyjamas and dressing gown.

Viewers have also seen him struggle with financial pressures and the aftermath of Ben Mitchell's killer secret in recent weeks.

The Daily Star now claims that Ian has been living rough in London after suffering a mental breakdown.

Actor Adam Woodyatt reportedly returned to the set of the BBC soap last week and has shocked co-stars with his new look.

A show insider is quoted as saying: "Ian is unrecognisable. He's dishevelled, has long hair and a long beard. He looks like a proper tramp.

"Viewers will discover that since he left he's been living rough on the streets of London and has even become friends with other beer-drinking vagrants. It's a shocking storyline.

"A lot of the cast and crew couldn't believe Adam's amazing transformation."

Sharon Rickman, played by Letitia Dean, will also return to Walford around the same time that Ian is discovered.

The source *added: "Sharon and Ian grew up together and are like family. If anyone can help him it's her. He's hit rock bottom and is in a bad way. He needs someone as close as Sharon to help him through. He's a broken man.

"There's also killer Ben's *confession, which will be filmed next month. Whether Ian gets strong enough to turn him in remains to be seen but there's going to be one hell of a fallout."

[Perdita]

This is the first look at EastEnders businessman Ian Beale's shocking transformation, which will feature on screen in upcoming episodes.

Ian has been absent from Walford since last month, when he suffered a breakdown and did a disappearing act after being jilted by fiancée Mandy Salter on their wedding day.

Tabloid reports recently revealed that Ian will be returning to EastEnders as a tramp - which has now been confirmed as a new picture shows him looking dishevelled with long hair and a beard.


© BBC


It is thought that Ian has been sleeping rough on the streets in recent weeks following his sad downfall.

Ian's breakdown was a major story last month as viewers saw him become increasingly frantic while trying to juggle his ailing financial affairs and many problems within his family.

EastEnders bosses worked closely with various mental health experts and charities - including Mind and Time to Change - while devising Ian's plotline, with the aim of accurately reflecting and highlighting the issue.

Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian, recently said that he was "overwhelmed" by the viewer response to the story, while fans have since been busy speculating about the character's whereabouts.

Remarkably clean t-shirt for having slept rough

[moonstorm]

That's some beard for only a month!

[Glen1]

Isn't a great deal of difference to what he normally looks like .Slight improvement maybe !!