EastEnders fans say the same thing as soap icon goes 'missing' from Walford

EastEnders: Kathy says she wants Ian Beale at the wedding

EastEnders fans have been scratching their heads over the mysterious vanishing act of Ian Beale (portrayed by Adam Woodyatt) as he failed to make his comeback to Albert Square after his trip to America.

Ian, alongside his mother Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) and Ben's daughter Lexi (Isabella Brown), jetted off to the States to visit Ben (Max Bowden) who is currently incarcerated for credit card fraud, having been extradited to the US earlier in the year.

However, during the episode aired on Monday (August 19), a catch-up between Kathy and Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) about their transatlantic trip revealed that Ian had opted to extend his stay. Over a cosy cuppa, Kathy shed light on Ian's decision to remain stateside.

Sonia queried: "Poor Ben! And how was Lexi?" To which Kathy responded: "Well, she was putting on a brave face for him you know. Telling him all about the American sweets we picked up at the airport," reports the Daily Star.

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Eastenders fans have questioned where Ian Beale is (Image: BBC)

"Ian decided to stay another week you know, to try and sort things out. I told Cindy but I could swear she was thrilled not to have him home."

Yet, this plot twist left some fans befuddled, prompting them to flock to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their bewilderment. One viewer exclaimed: "Ian staying to help Ben, even though Ben's never given two s***s about him." (sic)

Another equally puzzled fan pondered: "Is Ian Beale still in Eastenders?"

Ben Mitchell is in prison in America for fraud (Image: BBC)

Spoilers reveal that in forthcoming episodes, fans will witness Ben's father Phil (Steve McFadden), and half-brother Ian teaming up to help their shared family member.

This comes after Kathy's return from America, where she updates Phil about their son's grim predicament.

At the same time, Kathy implores her ex-husband to concentrate all his efforts on backing Ben's appeal. Back in March, viewers were stunned as police arrested the young mechanic under an international warrant.

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Kathy shared details on Ian's whereabouts in EastEnders (Image: BBC)

The charges originated from a trip to the US the previous year, where he made a vain attempt to enroll dying Lola Pearce into a drug trial. It was subsequently disclosed that Ben's credit cards had been frozen.

Rather than sorting out the problem legally, he opted to nick someone else's card. Ben splashed out thousands on hotel accommodations, car rentals, and a business-class flight back to the UK.

EastEnders is available to watch on BBC IPlayer.

EastEnders fans say the same thing as soap icon goes 'missing' from Walford

EastEnders fans say the same thing as soap icon goes 'missing' from Walford

EastEnders fans say the same thing as soap icon goes 'missing' from Walford

EastEnders fans say the same thing as soap icon goes 'missing' from Walford

EastEnders fans say the same thing as soap icon goes 'missing' from Walford