EastEnders fans ‘work out’ Ian Beale’s new romance after quiz night clue
EastEnders viewers are speculating about a fresh romantic storyline for Ian Beale, almost a year after his dramatic split from Cindy.
During Wednesday’s visit to Walford (November 26), the locals prepared for a quiz evening presented by Alfie Moon (played by Shane Richie) at the Queen Vic.
Entrepreneur Ian (Adam Woodyatt) demanded the champion should get a reduction on haddock and chips from his fish shop, which left Elaine Peacock (Harriett Thorpe) thoroughly entertained.
“Nothing says festive generosity like discounted haddock,” Elaine quipped whilst Ian and his mum, Kathy (Gillian Taylforth), also chuckled alongside the ex-pub landlady.
Later during the night, the quiz concludes with a nail-biting tie-breaker between Ian and Elaine, where they bicker over the right response, reports OK!.
Ian Beale may have caught the eye of a local woman in Walford(Image: BBC)
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Alfie declared Ian the champion, leaving Elaine puzzled. However, Ian’s celebratory mood was quickly destroyed.
Whilst nobody was watching, baby Jimmy Beale managed to grab a knife that Ian had abandoned on the table.
Seconds afterwards, he injures himself, leaving Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) shocked as chaos erupts around her.
The complete horror of the situation sends Lauren tumbling back into anxiety about Jimmy’s prospects, as he was born with severe visual impairment.
Subsequently in the episode, Ian and Kathy pop into the Minute Mart, where they encounter Elaine. Although Ian makes a judgement about her beverage selection, Elaine comforts him that Jimmy’s mishap wasn’t his responsibility.
Elaine Peacock appeared to flirt up a storm with Ian Beale on Wednesday(Image: BBC)
After recent scenes of playful banter between Ian and Elaine, a number of EastEnders viewers are convinced they’ve detected a spark of romance between the pair.
Ian was formerly wed to Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), who later tied the knot with George Knight (Colin Salmon) whilst under a witness protection scheme.
Following her split from George, he subsequently fell for Elaine and relocated to Walford in 2023. Cindy then reignited her relationship with Ian, only for it to end at Christmas 2024 when her affair with Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) came to light.
Shortly thereafter, Elaine and George also decided to divorce. But could fate have a romantic twist in store for Ian and Elaine?
Elaine and Ian joked over the price of his fish in EastEnders(Image: BBC)
One viewer posted on X: “Can see Ian and Elaine getting together #EastEnders.”
Another chimed in: “Ian and Elaine are definitely going to become an item #Eastenders.”
A third added: “Clearly gearing up for Elaine and Ian’s romance, I can’t be a****. #EastEnders.”
“One to watch – Ian and Elaine getting together at some point #EastEnders,” predicted another fan.