EastEnders spoiler follow.
EastEnders veteran Ian Beale is going to be attacked as part of a Christmas storyline, sparking a big 'whodunit' mystery.
As reported in The Sun, the incident will happen in the Queen Vic, with Ian being left for dead (although he won't actually die, it's Ian Beale!).
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There will be multiple suspects, which is unsurprising considering Ian isn't everyone's favourite person. Kathy Beale, Bobby, Peter, Dotty Cotton and Max Branning have been named as key figures with plausible motives, but we could easily see the writers throwing in a curveball.
Ian actor Adam Woodyatt has announced that he will be taking a break from the soap to do some theatre, although that is currently pencilled in for April next year (depending on how things go with the pandemic, of course) so this story will not necessarily directly lead to a temporary exit for him, although it's possible the revelation of who attacks him will be held back until that time.
Related: EastEnders' Tina Carter faces big Ian Beale dilemma ahead of exit
"I am so excited to be swapping the Square for the road in the world premiere stage production of Peter [James, not Beale]'s fantastic novel Looking Good Dead," Adam said at the time of his theatrical announcement.
"I can't wait to tour the UK and to experience the feeling of performing this thrilling play in front of a live audience every night. There are not many things that would persuade me to take a break from EastEnders, but this is one of them."
EastEnders airs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights on BBC One.
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