Ian Beale launches fightback for his businesses as he returns to EastEnders
KATHY Beale made the decision to get rid of the family chip shop, much to her son Ian’s dismay.
The EastEnders legend uses his business acumen to get the chippy back and gets some help from another ruthless businessman.
All hell broke loose within the Beale family when Bobby Beale broke the news that his grandmother Kathy (played by Gillian Taylforth) was ready to sell Beale’s Plaice.
As BBC One viewers will remember, this is all in an attempt to help her new husband Rocky Cotton who has been blackmailed by his former wife Jo.
Peter Beale (Thomas Law) rocked up Walford after hearing the news and he was quickly followed by his mother Cindy (Michelle Collins) and father Ian (Adam Woodyatt).
Coming up next week, Ian reassures Cindy after her run-in at The Vic and promises her a new business to woo her long-lost daughters Gina and Anna.
Later on, Peter persuades Ian to try and make amends with Kathy, but Rocky (Brian Conley) isn’t buying it.
Whilst in the café, Ian has a brainwave about a new plan and, needing investment, he invites Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) for lunch.
Unfortunately for him, Ian fails to find an agreement with Nish and and his ruthless wife Suki (Balvinder Sopal).
The business lunch turns sour and it’s not long before any potential deal is off the table.
But Cindy isn’t one to give up so easily and she soon heads to No.41 to persuade Nish to rethink.
She may be successful in getting through to Nish as, in later scenes, Ian is desperate to progress his business deal with Nish and invites him to the café for a taster menu.
But without a plan, Ian ropes in Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) for help.
Nish rearranges, and Ian and Alfie have a heart-to-heart about his current insecurities.
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After discussing his concerns for Bobby and Anna’s budding relationship, Alfie reveals all about her one-night stand with Freddie Slater.
Ian agrees to keep it a secret, but after George Knight belittles him in front of Nish in The Vic, he blurts out the news in front of Bobby and Cindy, unaware she’s watching.
How will Bobby react?
Could this compromise his business with Nish?
EastEnders airs from Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.