When Ian Beale unexpectedly showed up during the Dot Cotton’s funeral episode, EastEnders fans were astounded.
On Monday, EastEnders cast members paid tribute to Dot Cotton (played by June Brown). Fans watched as several characters made heartwarming comebacks to honor Dot’s life in a moving episode, but BBC viewers were not anticipating Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) to show up.
As Dot’s funeral procession made its way to the church for the service, Walford’s citizens crowded the square in the episode.
Ian could be seen standing back and watching after everyone had arrived.
“Goodbye, Dot. I’ll miss you,” he remarked as he held back tears.
Ian’s phone then rang and he was heard telling the caller: “Hello love. I’m coming home.”
As the funeral service got underway inside the church, the stalwart left.
Fans of EastEnders were overjoyed to see a familiar face, but many questions remained regarding Ian’s mysterious caller.
“#EastEnders, so who was on the phone to Ian, Jane?” tweeted @ruth clark.
Ian only expressed love to Jane, so according to @trevorsroyle, “I think they’re back together #EastEnders.”
IAN! #EastEnders #RememberDot pic.twitter.com/dGTkilQTdX
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) December 12, 2022
Please don’t let Ian’s return be a one-time thing, begged @RyanTheSoapking. #EastEnders He needs to return fully with Jane.
“I want to know who Ian was on the phone too. I’m sidetracked from the funeral, to be honest,” @Alex05923602 admitted. (sic)
I can hear Ian talking to Jane on the phone. They’re returning the following year, aren’t they #EastEnders?, suggested @sharonsstacey.
“Was not ready to be tipped over the edge by #Eastenders but also wheres Ian Beal off to and who’s ‘love,'” tweeted @itsterrismith. (sic)
After learning of Sharon Watts’ (Letita Dean) plan to have him killed for his role in Denny Rickman’s (Bleu Landau) death, Ian left EastEnders in January 2021.
Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), meanwhile, has not been spotted in Walford since 2012.
Could this be the start of the couple’s return story?
Showrunner Chris Clensham opened up to thesuns.info and other media outlets about the choice to have Adam reprise his role as Ian for Dot’s funeral.
I called Adam and told him about our plans and told him that Ian needed to be there, he said. And he concurred. For June, he wished to be present.
Fans of EastEnders will be happy to learn that Jane might have been the unknown caller.
Ian was on the phone with someone, and Chris continued, “We know who that is.”
In Monday’s episode, Dot’s stepgranddaughter Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) was joined by old friends Colin Russell (Lord Michael Cashman CBE), Barry Clark (Gary Hailes), George “Lofty” Holloway (Tom Watt), Mary “the punk” Smith (Linda Davidson), and Disa O’Brien (Jan Graveson).
On the BBC, EastEnders airs every day at 7.30 p.m.
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