BBC/ITV Share By Carena Crawford 3 Feb 2026, 10:02 By Carena Crawford 3 Feb 2026, 10:02 Inside the life and career of EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt: playing Ian Beale, I'm A Celebrity, his wife and children How much do you know about Ian Beale star Adam Woodyatt? Adam Woodyatt Share By Carena Crawford 3 Feb 2026, 10:02 By Carena Crawford 3 Feb 2026, 10:02 Adam Woodyatt is best known as one of the original stars of EastEnders, appearing as Ian Beale in the soap’s very first episode on February 19, 1985. Having played the character on screen for almost fifty years now, he is the longest-serving member of the cast and a bona fide soap legend. But how well do you really know the man behind the Beale? Here’s our lowdown on the life and career of Adam Woodyatt. Adam Woodyatt has been on EastEnders for 40 years (Credit: Shutterstock) How old is Adam Woodyatt? Born on June 28, 1968, Adam is 56 years old. Growing up in East London, he made his stage debut aged only 13, appearing at the National Theatre in legendary playwright Tom Stoppard’s production of On The Razzle. After studying at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, he appeared in children’s drama series Baker Street Boys for the BBC, and on the ITV fantasy show The Witches and the Grinnygog. Following a brief career change – working as a butcher for a while – Adam joined the cast of EastEnders. The rest, as they say, is history. What else has Adam Woodyatt been in? Racking up 40 years of EastEnders, you wouldn’t expect the star to have much free time on his hands. However, he has appeared on a number of game shows and charity fundraisers for the BBC, including episodes of Robot Wars, The Weakest Link, Children in Need and Celebrity Masterchef. Article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Adam appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2021 (Credit: ITV) Appearance on I’m A Celebrity In November 2021, Adam appeared during the twenty-first series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! alongside Coronation Street star Simon Gregson. He finished in sixth place, after viewers described him as ‘miserable’ – and likened his attitude to that of Ian Beale. During this time, he clashed with DJ and songwriter Naughty Boy, complaining about him having a lie-in while everyone else was busy doing chores. “I’m very much a doer. You’re very much a sleeper,” sniped Ian – sorry, Adam – to the musician. He then remarked to Snoochie: “Seriously, Naughty’s going to wake up and there’s going to be nothing for him to do.” Adam was married to Beverley Sharp for 20 years (Credit: Can Nguyen/Shutterstock) Is Adam Woodyatt married? In April 1988, Adam married dancer Beverley Sharp in a private ceremony at Disney World in Florida. They lived in South Hertfordshire (where EastEnders is filmed) before their breakup in 2019. It was revealed in August 2020 that Adam had decided to split up with his wife the previous year, following 20 years of marriage. A 2022 article by The Sun claimed that Beverley fell on hard times in the years which followed. A source told the publication: “She has really struggled financially and relied on food donations on occasion recently from family and friends.” However, it is understood that Adam made interim payments to his estranged wife ahead of the divorce settlement being finalised. Adam and his son Sam ran the marathon together (Credit: Shutterstock) Does Adam Woodyatt have children? Adam and Beverley share two children, daughter Jessie, 31, and son Sam, 27. In 2022, Adam revealed how Sam had been bitten by the acting bug too – and had even appeared in an episode of EastEnders. He told RSVP Live: “Sam was in EastEnders with me once. He played the copper that arrested Ian Beale while we were filming under Covid rules in the lead-up to my exit. “Sam has been picking up all sorts of work. He’s been in adverts and picked up bits of film work, it’s going well for him.” Ian departed Walford in 2020, but briefly returned for Dot’s funeral a few years later (Credit: BBC) Hiatus from EastEnders In 2020, Adam took an extended break from the soap, choosing to pursue other ventures away from Walford. This included his stint on I’m A Celebrity, and a theatre production of My Fair Lady in 2023. In 2022, he briefly reprised the role to appear at the funeral of Dot Cotton, fueling rumours that he had reconciled with one of his many exes by making a mysterious phone call from the shadows of Albert Square. Many thought it to be Jane Beale at the time but… well, we know differently now, don’t we? He returned in 2023 – alongside on-again-off-again wife-turned-nemesis-turned-wife-again Cindy Beale, and has remained a part of the Walford furniture ever since. How much does Adam Woodyatt earn? The actor is believed to have a net worth of around £1.7million. He is currently said to be earning £200,000 to play Ian Beale. He was reportedly paid £250,000 for his I’m A Celebrity appearance, and owned businesses with his ex-wife – including now-liquidated booze brand Neat Gin and the similarly ill-fated XL Management. As Ian Beale on EastEnders: the early years Adam made his debut as Ian Beale in the show’s very first episode. As Walford’s longest-serving resident, Ian has been part of many iconic storylines and show-stopping doof-doofs. Ian was but a teenager when viewers first met him in 1985 – clashing with dad Pete Beale over his ambition to become a caterer. Not exactly Billy Elliot, but Ian was ultimately successful in starting several businesses, including the now-iconic cafe and chippy. Marriage to Cindy Beale Through his time on the soap, the name Ian Beale became synonymous with that of Cindy. After getting engaged in 1989, their toxic romance spawned three children – two of his own (twins Peter and Lucy) and Steven, the result of a one-night-stand between Cindy and his brother, Simon. Ian and Cindy reconciled, but it wouldn’t be her only betrayal. Cindy had an affair with Ian’s half-brother, David Wicks, for over a year, before Ian finally learned the truth. After learning that he was planning on taking their children, Cindy hired a hitman. Ian survived the attempt on his life, tracking her down to Italy where she had fled with Peter and Steven. Cindy returned to Walford, only to stand trial for her attempt on Ian’s life. She ‘died’ in prison in 1998 during childbirth. A vengeful Sharon tried to kill Ian (Credit: BBC) Exit from EastEnders A lot happened in Cindy’s absence. This included several failed marriages and engagements (including, but not limited to, Mel Owen, Laura Beale and Jane Beale), another child (Bobby, son of Laura) and daughter Lucy’s murder. By 2020, Ian discovered that Sharon’s son, Dennis Jr, had been bullying Bobby. Ian confronted Dennis during a boat party, and locked him in one of the cabins. However, Dennis became trapped there when the boat crashed, and he died. Months later, as Ian developed feelings for Sharon, she discovered the truth about Dennis’s death. Holding him responsible, she and Phil developed a plan to kill Ian. After marrying Ian, Sharon poisoned his food. Filled with guilt and regret, Ian began to eat the poisoned pasta – only for Sharon to suffer a change of heart and save Ian’s life. Ian then fled the country, planning never to return… Cindy and Ian returned to Walford in 2023 (Credit: BBC) Ian and Cindy return to EastEnders In June 2023, the soap revealed that Cindy was, in fact, alive and well… and living with Ian in France. After returning to Walford for mum Kathy’s wedding, Ian was shocked to learn of the double-life Cindy had been living – including ex-husband George Knight, and daughters Anna and Gina. Ian and Cindy began to spread roots in Walford again, opening their pie and mash shop and making a life for themselves. However, it wasn’t long before Cindy was up to her old tricks – attempting to seduce George and then, when that failed, having an affair with his son, Junior. All of this came out on Christmas Day 2024, as a vengeful Lauren exposed the truth to both families. Rejected by all of the men in her life, Cindy found herself out in the cold (quite literally), where she was struck from behind by a mystery assailant. After that, Ian – himself one of the suspects – insisted that he’s through with Cindy. But can Ian really resist Cindy’s wiles? Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns. Share Good to Know Share By Carena Crawford 3 Feb 2026, 10:02 By Carena Crawford 3 Feb 2026, 10:02 Previous Story Next Story
