Ian’s fate sealed in EastEnders as he makes a big decision then seeks out Phil
EastEnders’ Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) could very well be set for a stint behind bars after he makes a huge decision over his drink-driving charge next week.
The chippy owner was arrested earlier this year after unknowingly knocking over young Jordan Fox (Jahsaiah Williams) after Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) and Ross Marshall’s (Alex Walkinshaw) wedding celebrations.
While he only had one drink at the party, Ian was in disbelief to learn he was actually over the legal limit, and was suddenly facing an incredibly uncertain future.
Initially, his brief encouraged him to play dirty by building a case of negligence against Jordan’s mum Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams), who previously admitted she’d had a row with her son and stormed off before the accident.
With tensions between the Foxes and the Beales now high, Ian ultimately decided not to go with the tactic, and his plea hearing is fast approaching next week.
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When he meets with his lawyer, they advise Ian to plead guilty, which soon causes divisions within his family.
Peter Beale (Thomas Law) and Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) encourage him to listen to the advice, but Ian’s mum Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) is very much at odds with this, insisting he should plead innocent.
Ian’s predicament leads him to try and speak to Chelsea to ask her to change her damning statement, but with her mum Denise home from hospital amid her treatment for blood cancer, Denise has little time for his plight and shares some harsh words.
After also receiving advice from his lover Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) about what to do, Ian realises he is out of options and informs his family of what he intends to do in court, and they are stunned.
As Kathy tries to remain positive about how things will pan out, Ian seeks out an unlikely source in the shape of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden).
Could he be asking him to use his criminal contacts to help protect him in prison should he get sent down?
EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 13th July at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer.
