Last night's EastEnders saw a new romance budding between two surprise Walford favourites, but fans are torn over whether they're a good match...
Last night’s EastEnders was full of drama at the Slaters as Alfie announced he is going to build them a loft conversion, while over at The Vic, Linda stepped up her vendetta against Stuart by seducing him with a kiss.
But it was something entirely different that has left viewers torn after the Monday night episode. What has really got everyone talking is the budding romance between Jean Slater and Ian Beale!
The pair have been friends for a long time now, but recent weeks have seen Jean and Ian’s friendship grow stronger by the day.

Has cupid struck at choir rehearsals?
And last night it looked like there could be romance blossoming at the most unlikely of places… at choir rehearsals!
As Jean decided she was too shy to put herself forward for the solo at the Christmas singing competition, a few words of encouragement from Ian and she was up at the from of the class singing Christmas carols.

By the time Christmas arrives, Ian and Jean will be getting on like a house on fire
But when Honey and Kim also took part in the rehearsals, Jean was left worrying that she had missed her chance, only for Ian to tell her that the best woman would win… and she did!
Jean was thrilled to be given the solo part, and Ian looked on proudly… but as the connection between the unlikely pair grew, fans were divided over whether it was a good idea for writers to get them together.
Some fans were loving the fact there could romance on the cards…
Ian and jean are defo couple goals #EastEnders
— Jade Preston (@JadePreston_) December 10, 2018
Is it me or Jean and Ian Beale are flirting??! #EastEnders
— Donna (@donnakuda) December 10, 2018
Actually loving this friendship between Jean and Ian 😊 #EastEnders
— Tabitha Peverley (@TabithaPeverley) December 10, 2018
♬ Jean and Ian, sitting in a tree,
K-i-s-s-i-n-g… ♬ #EastEnders— Mandy Amory (@LilMissMystic) December 10, 2018
Ian and Jean is a genius pairing. Never saw it coming but now it's on the horizon it seems beyond perfect. @bbceastenders
Only hope that it lasts through Christmas and into 2019. #EastEnders— Wilbur (@Wilbur37189215) December 8, 2018
Nooooooo omg are Jean and Ian gonna be a thing 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 that’s the best thing ever #eastenders
— Emma Louise Delaney (@Emma_LouiseMSD) December 7, 2018
While others couldn’t think of a more mismatched pair…
Ian and Jean. One word, disturbing. #EastEnders
— Sian Humphreys (@Sian_humphreys) December 10, 2018
#eastenders Please Lord, don't make Ian and Jean a thing 😖
— The other me (@lalavie444) December 10, 2018
Please don’t tell me they are going to make Jean and Ian a thing #Eastenders
— 🌟Dion🌟 (@DionPetrie) December 10, 2018
I'm really not here for a Jean and Ian romance #EastEnders
— Tremendous TV (@tremendous_tv) December 10, 2018
But it looks like there is plenty more of Ian and Jean to come in the run up to Christmas – so could there be a romance on the cards?
The pair are set to grow closer as choir drama continues over the festive season, and Ian also proves himself as Jean’s knight in shining armour when she is mugged in the Square and he comes to her rescue.
Maybe these two are set to be Walford’s newest couple after all…
EastEnders airs Monday and Friday at 8pm and Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
Picture credit: BBC