Ian Beale

Ian Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Adam Woodyatt. He is the drama's longest-serving main character, and, following the departure of Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard) in 2006, was the only one to have appeared continuously from its inception. The character appeared in his 2,000th episode in the show on 26 March 2007, and his 3,000th on 27 May 2016. After 36 years on the show, Woodyatt departed EastEnders on 22 January 2021.

Ian Beale
EastEnders character
Portrayed by	Adam Woodyatt
Duration	1985–2021
First appearance	Episode 1 "Poor Old Reg" 19 February 1985 (1985-02-19)
Last appearance	Episode 6208 22 January 2021 (2021-01-22)
Created by	Tony Holland
Introduced by	Julia Smith
Spin-off appearances	Dimensions in Time (1993) Last Tango in Walford (2010) EastEnders: E20 (2010) The Ghosts of Ian Beale (2014)
Classification	Present; regular
Profile
Occupation	Businessman Chef
Family Family Beale Father Pete Beale Mother Kathy Beale Stepfather Phil Mitchell (1995–1999) Half-brothers David Wicks Ben Mitchell Half-sisters Donna Ludlow Wife Cindy Beale (1989–1997) Melanie Beale (1999–2000) Laura Beale (2001–2004) Jane Beale (2007–2011, 2015–2017) Sons Peter Beale Bobby Beale Daughters Lucy Beale Stepsons Steven Beale Grandsons Louie Beale Grandmothers Lou Beale Uncles Harry Beale Ronnie Beale Kenny Beale Ted Hills Aunts Maggie Flaherty Pauline Fowler Nephews Joe Wicks Nieces Bianca Jackson Lexi Pearce First cousins Eamonn Flaherty Conor Flaherty John Flaherty Mark Fowler Elizabeth Beale Michelle Fowler Tony Hills Sarah Hills Martin Fowler Other relatives Betty Beale Eamonn Flaherty Jnr Declan Flaherty Carl Flaherty Colette Flaherty Kylie Flaherty Mary Flaherty Vicki Fowler Mark Fowler Jnr Liam Butcher Bex Fowler Tiffany Butcher Morgan Butcher Hope Fowler

Ian is the son of Pete (Peter Dean) and Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth). He is the nephew of Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard).