He made a huge decision (Picture: BBC)
Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) begins preparing to leave Walford in next week’s EastEnders as he comes to terms with the possibility that his time on the Square could be coming to an end.
After deciding to plead guilty, Ian starts trying to make peace with what’s ahead, and even agrees to head out for one last drink with his family.
But while the evening is meant to be a chance to say goodbye, it ends with Ian questioning Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) over a secret he thinks she’s keeping from him.
Ian has had a difficult few weeks after finding himself at the centre of a police investigation, and recent events have left him believing prison could soon become a reality.
With the plea hearing looming, Ian starts to forgive himself for everything that’s happened and accepts an invitation to go out for drinks the following evening, which could end up being his last night in Walford for some time.
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The Beales gather at Harry’s Barn to mark the occasion, hoping to enjoy one final evening together before Ian’s future is decided.
Ian pleaded guilty after hitting Jordan with his car (Picture: BBC)
However, the mood shifts when Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) arrives and questions why everyone is celebrating.
As the awkward atmosphere grows, Ian leaves the bar, with Lauren following after him.
Back inside, Peter Beale (Thomas Law) stays behind to defend his dad, while Lauren catches up with Ian away from the rest of the family.
It’s then that Ian catches her off guard by asking whether she’s hiding something.
What exactly Ian has worked out, and whether Lauren comes clean, remains to be seen.
The latest scenes follow an emotional week for the Beales.
Chelsea’s son is in a wheelchair as a result of the incident (Picture: BBC)
Ian was recently told by his solicitor that his best chance was to plead guilty at his upcoming hearing, advice that Peter and Lauren both encouraged him to accept.
Kathy, however, was convinced he should continue fighting the case and urged him to plead not guilty instead.
Unsure what to do, Ian sought advice from Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) before making one last attempt to change the outcome.
He approached Chelsea and asked if she would reconsider her statement, but Denise Fox (Diane Parish) quickly stepped in, ordering him to leave before making her feelings on the situation crystal clear.
Ian comes to terms with the fact he might only have a few more days left in Walford (Picture: BBC)
Realising he’d run out of options, Ian returned home and broke the news to his family that he intended to plead guilty.
Despite trying to put on a brave face afterwards, it was obvious he was struggling.
During a family barbecue, Ian attempted to keep everyone’s spirits up, but the atmosphere changed when Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier) accidentally revealed to Louie Beale that Ian was going to prison.
The family quickly rallied around Louie, while Lauren was dealing with problems of her own after receiving an urgent call from Mark.
Rushing to meet him over what she believed was a problem with their car deal, Lauren was furious to discover he’d made the whole thing up to test her loyalty.
Now, with Ian trying to make the most of what could be his final days on Albert Square before his plea hearing, questions remain over Lauren’s apparent secret.
Will Ian get the answers he’s looking for before saying goodbye to Walford?
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