Adam Woodyatt has said that he remains unsure when he will return to EastEnders and has suggested that he might not even go back.
The actor is the soap's longest-serving star, having appeared as Ian Beale since the first episode in February 1985, but decided to take a sabbatical last year, with Ian's final scenes airing in early January.
Woodyatt is spending his time off appearing in a UK tour of the crime drama play Looking Good Dead, which has been delayed multiple times due to coronavirus and finally got underway in Leicester yesterday.
The 53-year-old had originally been expected to be away from EastEnders for six to nine months but the tour is now confirmed to run on and off until April 2022, meaning that if Woodyatt remains with the production for the duration it could be August or September 2022 when Ian is back in Walford.
"I won't be going back until this time next year at the absolute earliest," he admitted to Metro.
"[But] EastEnders might not want me back! We could get a new boss in who goes: 'Beale's gone, we don't need him any more'."
He added: "I think even if I actually left, I'd still be part of the fabric. Ian will always be associated with the Square.
"People still talk about Den and Angie, and they haven't been on the programme in 32 years, so I think I will always be there in people's minds."
On screen, Ian's exact whereabouts are currently unknown after he fled the square having survived an attempt by best friend Sharon (Letitia Dean) to poison him.
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