Latest news and gossip from your favourite TV programmes and series

Is it the Ender the road for Ian?

Is it the Ender the road for Ian?

EastEnders veteran Ian Beale is reportedly going to be killed off in May in a sensational showdown with arch-enemy Phil Mitchell.

It will mean the end of 22 years in Walford for actor Adam Woodyatt – the last remaining member of the cast to have featured in the soap’s first episode back in 1985.

Ian's exit, which has already been filmed, sees his long-running feud with Phil end in tragedy, according to the Sunday Express.

BBC bosses have gone to great lengths to keep the spectatular plot, which is estimated to have cost £1 million, under wraps, and have continued to remain tight-lipped despite this latest revelation.

Adam himself has also been keeping quiet about his exit - but a show insider has confirmed that it comes when an argument over a saveloy sausage gets out of hand.

The insider said: “Ian and Phil’s latest feud all started over a saveloy. It all comes to a head in one of the biggest stunts the soap world has ever seen.”

Chip-shop owner Ian and hard-man Phil, played by Steve McFadden, have been at loggerheads ever since Phil married Ian’s mum Kathy, played by Gillian Taylforth. After calling a truce for Phil's son - and Ian's half-brother Ben - the feud is once again hotting up.

The insider added: “The final showdown has cost a lot of money. It’s the most expensive stunt the soap has ever done and it’s going to produce a huge fightback in the bitter ratings war."

The BBC has been doing everything to keep the storyline hush-hush - even printing scripts on special red paper to prevent them being photocopied or faxed to anyone.

And scriptwriters have apparently written two alternate endings - one where Ian lives, and one where he dies.

EastEnders bosses have refused to deny that Adam, 38, is being axed.

A spokeswoman said: “We do not comment on future storylines. Viewers will just have to wait and see what happens.”

Archive: Read all the previous stories


Subscribe to the What's On TV newsletter

TV Quiz

TV Quiz

Test your knowledge and win great prizes

Play now

Games

Win Prizes

Play fantastic online games like Strike It Lucky and win instant cash prizes!

Play more

Shop

Go Shopping Online

Get the latest fashions, dieting tips, new exercise techniques - and maybe even a new partner!

Find out more

Also in What's On TV

Soaps

Watch Archie Mitchell's return in the Soap Scoop

Peggy Mitchell is about to get the shock of her life when husband Archie returns to EastEnders, wafting back into her life like nothing has happened.

UK Drama

Jonathan Ross cleared over Hannah Montana gay joke

Jonathan Ross didn't breach broadcasting rules when he suggested parents should put their sons up for adoption if they wanted a Hannah Montana MP3 player, says Ofcom.

Reality TV

Sarah Harding: It's over for Katie and Peter

Sarah Harding says she doesn't think Katie Price and Peter Andre's marriage can be saved.

US Series

Hayden Panettiere splits from Steve Jones

Hayden Panettiere has apparently split from Steve Jones because she can't handle long distance relationships.

Star Interviews

A quick chat with Ben Fogle and James Cracknell

TV presenter Ben Fogle and Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell talk about their epic race to the South Pole, screening on BBC Two on Sundays in On Thin Ice...

Good To Know