EastEnders actor Adam Woodyatt has revealed he will not be returning to Albert Square as Ian Beale until 2022 at the very earliest.
He appeared on The One Show via video link from his beautiful motorhome, where he spoke to hosts Alex Jones and Ronan Keating about his new theatre tour.
EastEnders fans were devastated to hear the length of his tour means he will be absent from the soap for at least another year.
Alex said: "We are joined now by Adam Woodyatt who has played the iconic Ian Beale for more than 35 years.
"But Adam, look at you! Let’s take a minute to appreciate the scenery! Tell us why you are taking a break from the square at the moment."
Adam replied: "Well I am off to do a theatre tour.
"I was supposed to start it in January, then it was April, then it was June, finally we are starting in July, in Leicester, before going all around the country, all the way up until the end of October."
He added: "I have done pantos over the years, but this is the first straight drama I have done."
Ronan asked: "Can you tell us, when will Ian Beale be back on the Square?"
Adam replied: "I don’t know that’s the honest answer - the tour at the moment runs until the end October and my daughter’s then getting married in America so I’m off there to do that.
"There’s a possibility – and I really hope that does happen – the tour carries on will run until the early part of next year to pick up the dates we’ve had to postpone because of the lockdown.
"So, if the tour carries on, I’m not going to be back on EastEnders until sometime 2022 at the earliest! Sorry!"
One fan tweeted: "Adam Woodyatt clearly in no hurry back to #EastEnders then. Even his 'sometime in 2022 at the earliest' sounded quite non-committal #theoneshow ".
Another wrote:" No Ian Beale until at least 2022 says Adam Woodyatt #TheOneShow ".
A third joked: "So that’s where Ian Beale’s gone, he’s gone fishing… #theoneshow ".
Another remarked: "At least a year without Ian beale thats good news #TheOneShow ".
A fifth said: "Wow Adam Woodyatt looks well on #TheOneShow lost loads of weight but looks better for it".
* The One Show airs weekdays on BBC One at 7pm
