EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders’ Elaine Peacock and Ian Beale decide to put their rivalry to bed next week, after Elaine finds herself in a tense exchange at a council gala. But will the competitive pair stick to their truce?
Over the last few months, Elaine and Ian have engaged in a fierce feud that started over a petty dispute during a pub quiz at The Vic. Their rivalry continued, and Ian desperately attempted to destroy Elaine’s boutique hotel, Peacock Palace.
BBC
BBC
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Ian’s quest led him to run as a local councillor. Elaine chose to run against him, which kicked off a competitive election war. The pair have since sabotaged each other’s campaigns, but a turn of events in next week’s scenes sees them unexpectedly team up…
At a local council event, Elaine feels out of place. It doesn’t take long for the hotel owner to cause trouble for herself when she has a run-in with one of the guests, but why does she pivot from dishing out attitude to engaging in peace talks with Ian?
“The gala is exactly the type of situation that Elaine and Ian would typically lose their temper with each other,” says our Walford insider. “After all, they are hoping to nab a place on the council at each other’s expense!
“But after Elaine ends up in a spot of bother, she and Ian defy all odds and agree to put their beef behind them. You’ll have to tune in to find out exactly how it all comes about…”
When the gala begins, Elaine is clearly unsettled despite being all glammed up with her ‘Vote the People’s Peacock’ badge pinned to her extravagant coat. Ian, meanwhile, swans about the room like a true professional.
BBC
BBC
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“Ian is right at home at the gala,” explains our gossip. “But all this political chinwagging is new to Elaine. It would be the perfect time for Ian to show Elaine up, so what a surprise that it goes the other way!”
Could this much-needed truce be the start of a new – and perhaps beautiful – friendship between Ian and Elaine? Or does it merely represent some temporary respite from their bitter feud?
EastEnders airs on Mondays – Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
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For exclusive soap star interviews, gossip, spoilers and theories every week, don’t miss the Soap Scoop podcast from Inside Soap magazine. The latest episode delves into next week’s soap spoilers for EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale- as Carla and Lisa get married and Charity goes into labour.