EastEnders' Ian Beale legend Adam Woodyatt had a very simple response to his return after fans left 'screaming at TV' over soap's major twist. Fans knew that Adam was preparing to reprise his role in the BBC One soap alongside Michelle Collins as she returned from the dead in epic scenes.
Viewers have been on tenterhooks after EastEnders bosses teased the identity of newcomer George Knight’s mystery ex. Wednesday’s episode (June 21) ended with a shot of Cindy on a sun lounger, drinking a glass of wine before the classic ‘duff duff’ sound signalled the credits.
Cindy's return comes almost 25 years after she was said to have died in prison whilst giving birth. The truth was reviewers after Phil Mitchell continued his investigation into George's mystery ex after Linda raised her suspicions and urged him to seek out the truth about her.
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After Phil convinced Callum Highway to search the police database, he told Phil all information about her had been blocked. He was later paid a visit by the Serious Crimes Unit, who warned him not to search for her name and forget anything to do with her. This left Callum baffled and Phil and Linda more determined than ever to find out the truth about her.
Then, as the latest episode drew to a close, George was seen calling his ex Rose on a whim after Phil discovered she had lied about her identity to him. As the final scene aired, a woman’s hand grabbed her phone, showing George as the caller ID. Sat beside a swimming pool sipping on wine, it was then that Cindy's face was finally revealed.
And it's fair to say fans were shocked and thrilled by the turn of events. @Connorgsuxx tweeted: "EASTENDERS OMG I SCREAMED #EastEnders." @RedDevilLiam cheered: "CINDY BEALE WHAT A QUEEN!!! #EastEnders." @ReenaKanji commented: "F**k me CINDY BEALE. This… right here right now BEST COMEBACK EVER… EVER #Eastenders."
@Lfcbynature1988 posted: "She's baaaacck. Best duff duff in a long time #Cindy #EastEnders." @itsJust_Az shared: "And she is back!! Wanted this for years!! @missmcollins you look amazing!! Yes for Cindy!! #cindybeal #EastEnders." @RyanJL added: "SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP. Cindy is back!!! #EastEnders."
And while he hasn't yet been seen on-screen, it was revealed that Ian will be returning alongside Cindy having not been seen on the soap since a surprise cameo in December to pay tribute to close friend Dot Branning outside of her funeral. Actor Adam stepped away from the soap in late 2020 after Ian fled Walford in January 2021 following Ian's epic confrontation with then-wife and former best friend Sharon Watts after she tried to kill him in revenge for the death of her son Dennis Rickman, Jr.
Taking to Instagram, Adam kept it simple as he shared the promotional picture of himself and Michelle as Ian and Cindy with Cindy holding a rose in a nod to her new name. In the caption, he only added the hashtag 'EastEnders' as fans rushed to respond. Meanwhile, co-star Emma Barton, know for playing Honey Mitchell, said: "This is everything!"
