Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

EastEnders actor jokes that killing Ian Beale would be a 'public service'

*Warning* Contains spoilers from the latest episode of EastEnders

Roisin O'Connor
Friday 22 December 2017 12:29 GMT
Comments
Ian Beale strangled in Eastenders, whose possible death labelled as "public service"

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

An EastEnders star has joked that killing off long-time character Ian Beale would be a "public service".

Jake Wood, who plays Max Branning on the popular soap, was recently seen attempting to murder Ian by strangling him with some Christmas lights.

Realising his life was in danger, Ian told Max - then armed with a kitchen knife - that Phil was the one responsible for Max going to prison.

Ian managed to hit Max on the head with a griddle before trying to run away, but was dragged back into the house.

The scene shocked viewers, who have to wait until 8pm this evening (Friday 22 December) to find out whether Ian survived.

"Who doesn't like trying to kill Ian Beale?" Wood joked to RadioTimes. "I felt like I was doing a public service."

Beale, portrayed by Adam Woodyatt, is the longest-serving character and the only remaining original character to have appeared continuously on EastEnders since the first episode aired on 19 February 1985.

Ian has had a tumultuous life, surviving five marriages to four different women, two aborted engagements, three children, several kidnappings, homelessness, failed business attempts, a secret vasectomy and several attempts to murder him.

Follow Independent Culture on Facebook

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in