Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) may be dead after he disappeared without a trace from Albert Square.
Fears for the missing resident are mounting as Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) carries out the search for her son.
Explosive scenes set to air reveal a brave Kathy confronting Ian's wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) over the mysterious disappearance.
Emotions reach boiling point when the devoted mother gives her son's wife a grilling as she tries to find out what has happened.
As suspicion falls on Sharon, will she get away with her evil plans?
EastEnders fans are on a knife's edge as Sharon plotted out Ian's death with her ex-husband Phil (Steve McFadden).
The exes are desperate to get revenge after Ian had a hand in the death of Denny (Bleu Landau) last year.
Behind the scenes, Phil is spurring Sharon on to take action against her husband.
EastEnders fans will remember his haunting words: "Ian took our son away and he has to pay."
Ian has unknowingly been poisoned by his wife Sharon over the past month.
Where is Ian Beale? Is he dead already?
* Catch up with EastEnders on BBC One next January 21 and January 22.
