It’s been another dramatic climax to the week’s events in EastEnders.
Although Chelsea Fox’s (Zaraah Abrahams) ordeal was over, and son Jordan (Jahsaiah Williams) was home and safe after being abducted by his paternal great grandmother Sheila Atkins (Sheila Ruskin), another incident was unfolding at the prison.
Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), who had also been manipulated by murderous Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith), was facing a life-or-death situation.
Gray was holding him hostage with a makeshift weapon – a shaven-off toothbrush with a pointed end. When Ian went to sound the alarm, Gray warned that it would take a long time before the guards arrived and by that point, he would be dead.
The men’s argument seemed to calm down, and for a moment, it seemed like Gray was beginning to understand the error of his ways. He still wanted Jordan to be a part of his life, though said he failed to recognise him as his son due to years of being raised by Chelsea.
Toby-Alexander Smith as Gray Atkins and Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Exploiting this brief moment of calm, Ian swooped for the toothbrush to try and protect himself. Gray grabbed it and a scuffle ensued, which resulted in him being stabbed.
He fell to the floor and cried out for help, though when the officers arrived, Ian was handcuffed and led away.
News soon reached Walford and Chelsea headed to the police station to provide a statement about Gray’s blackmail of Ian. His mum Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) hoped that it would prove he’d acted in self-defence or that the stabbing was purely accidental.
Zaraah Abrahams as Chelsea Fox. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
However, in a holding cell, a solicitor warned Ian that this wouldn’t look good and he could get extra time. This would be guaranteed if Gray was to die.
Fortunately for Ian, Gray survived. Chelsea paid him a visit in the hospital, asserting that he would never play a part in Jordan’s life and that, when her son was old enough, she’d tell him everything that his sick father did.
When Gray commented that he couldn’t live without Jordan, Chelsea told him to die.
Add Radio Times as a Preferred Source on Google
Keep up to date on what’s worth watching with your favourite entertainment news from Radio Times – see more of our exclusive news and interviews featured prominently in Top Stories when using Google.
Will Ian’s sentence be lengthened?
Elsewhere in Albert Square, DC Craig Ingram (Matthew James-Bailey) found an upset Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd) in McKlunky’s.
He reaffirmed his offer of private and secretive support, before guiding her off to the allotments for a chat.
Amy was saddened that her bond with dad Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) was on the line, with him angry that she was more concerned about her relationship with Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega) and the attack on Joel Marshall (Max Murray) than step-mum Denise Fox’s (Diane Parish) cancer battle.
Ellie Dadd as Amy Mitchell and Matthew James-Bailey as Craig Ingram. BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Becoming tearful, Amy then admitted to Craig that she had approached Joel after Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) freed him, and that he’d started spouting vile comments towards her.
Enraged, she picked up a hammer and smashed him around the head.
What will Craig do with this information?
Read more:
Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers.
Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.
Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.