Ian Beale may never return to EastEnders

After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed this week that Ian Beale actor Adam Woodyatt is set to enter Gwrych Castle this November as part of the I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 2021 line-up. The actor is currently on an extended break from EastEnders but it now sounds like the break could become permanent as he’s said to be considering not returning to the soap at all.

Adam Woodyatt leaving EastEnders?

A source told The Sun:

He’s excited by the prospect of showing the nation who the real Adam Woodyatt is. He is optimistic it will open the minds of producers who might have previously only thought of him as Ian. And there are plenty of stars who’ve gone on to new things as a result of I’m A Celebrity.

Adam Woodyatt’s EastEnders career

Now aged 53, Adam Woodyatt made his EastEndersdebut in the soap’s first ever episode when he was just a teenager. He’s been on the show ever since and is the longest-serving male cast member. Aside from pantos and a one-off appearance on The Bill, he hasn’t done much acting outside of the soap.

But in 2020, Adam decided to take an extended break from EastEnders to appear in the theatre tour of Looking Good Dead. He hasn’t been seen on-screen since January this year and has previously said that his return to EastEnders won’t be until 2022 ‘at the earliest’. With Looking Good Dead set to run until early April, it had been speculated that hisEastEnders return would likely air in May or June.

Now it sounds like his return to Albert Square might be dependent on how his stint in Gwrych Castle goes! We have to say, we’re looking forward to getting to know the real Adam but we’d be gutted to never see Ian Beale in Walford again!