EastEnders spoilers confirm Ian Beale's Walford return date and Linda Carter going public with Max Branning romance

We finally know when Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) will be returning to Walford in EastEnders.

The BBC One soap's longest-serving character was sent to prison earlier this year for drink-driving and causing Jordan Fox (Jahsaiah Williams) to sustain injuries.

Despite attempts by Jordan's guilty mother, Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams), to help him, Ian was imprisoned and even ended up crossing paths with Jordan's serial killer father, Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith), and even had to stab Gray to save his own life.

Since then, we haven't seen Ian, and he's been languishing in prison, waiting for an appeal to go through.

Now we know via the BBC that Ian will be back on our screens and in Walford on Wednesday 7 October, but we imagine he will be somewhat shaken up by his stint inside.

It seems he will find support in Nicola's cool and collected brother-in-law Ned Hawkins (Jamie Bamber), who we already know is a war veteran and trained therapist.

However, Ned is a busy man that week as he appears to be locked in a power struggle with Nicola.

Meanwhile, it seems Nicola will bond with her nephew and Ned's son Ryder Hawkins (Felix Uff), but how will Ned feel about their closeness?

As if that wasn't enough, it seems now is finally the week that Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) will go public about her romance with Max Branning (Jake Wood) as she tells her family about him. How will this go down?

Well, it seems whichever family members she tells are hiding their own secrets...

• Read More: EastEnders' Kellie Bright addresses exit decision as Linda Carter bows out after 13 years - and talks Max romance

Catch the full episode descriptions for these early October episodes below...

Monday 5 October 2026

Nicola continues to struggle with Ned. Linda receives a shock. Harvey tries to support Kathy.

Tuesday 6 October 2026

Linda tells her family about Max. Ned tries to goad Nicola. Alfie wants to get through to Kat.

Wednesday 7 October 2026

Linda worries, as she fears her family are not being honest with her. Ian returns to Walford. Nicola tries to support Ryder.

Thursday 8 October 2026

Nicola and Ryder continue to bond. Ned helps Ian open up.

Read more:

• EastEnders legend Jo Joyner returns to Walford set for Branning 'family reunion' - 8 years after last Tanya appearance
• EastEnders star teases "fire and carnage" when Penny Branning's baby paternity secret is revealed
• EastEnders favourite Balvinder Sopal teases Ash return is "grenade" to the Panesar family unit this autumn
• EastEnders announces hard-hitting Amy Mitchell storyline as BBC soap works with charities

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Lewis is the News and Trends Editor at Radio Times and leads our approach to news, reactive content, and serving audience demands and interests. An obsessive fan of television and film, Lewis is a Nicole Kidman fanatic with a side of passion for science-fiction, art-house cinema and the latest HBO drama. Lewis has a degree in Psychology and a Masters in Film Studies. After working in advertising, Lewis worked at The Mirror for three years in community management and SEO, showbiz, film and television reporting.