ADAM Woodyatt is set to return to EastEnders as Ian Beale — two years after he left the soap.
The 54-year-old made a surprise comeback cameo tonight for Dot Cotton’s funeral.
Insiders on the BBC soap say that Ian Beale’s cameo is teeing up a bigger return to Walford later
Ian, pictured here with Phil Mitchell in 2014, made his return to the soap for its emotional goodbye to Dot Cotton
Ian, who last appeared in the show in January last year, was seen standing outside the service for Albert Square stalwart Dot.
He said “goodbye” before turning to leave, but then took a call from a mystery person and told them: “Hi love. Yes, I’m coming home.”
Insiders on the BBC soap say the cameo is teeing up a bigger return to Walford later.
A source said: “Ian’s comeback storyline is in the works. Fans of the show don’t know who Ian was talking to yet but it won’t be long until all is revealed.
“While the plotline is top secret, it’s a given that viewers will not be disappointed by what they see when Ian does return.”
Chris Clenshaw, the soap’s executive producer, said it was vital to have Ian at Dot’s funeral — even if the actor was “a little busy”.
He said: “I called Adam and told him our plans and I said, ‘Ian has to be there’. He agreed. It was as simple as that.”
“Adam wanted to be there for June [Brown] and he knew that Ian should be there for Dot.”
Adam stepped back last year after 35 years on the soap.
Ian was last seen fleeing after it emerged Sharon Watts, played by Letitia Dean, 55, had tried to poison him.
Adam went on to appear on I’m A Celeb and is currently playing Alfred Doolittle in a stage production of My Fair Lady, which ends its run in Manchester on April 1.
