What happened between Clare and Ian in EastEnders? Their history revisited after today's awkward scenes

There's history between Clare and Ian... but what is it?
Claire Crick
By Claire Crick

Today’s EastEnders saw Walford say a sad farewell to Nigel as the day of his funeral arrived – but as Clare Bates returned to pay her respects, fans were left baffled by her awkwardness with Ian Beale.

It was mentioned that they shared a chequered past, but what happened between Clare and Ian all those years ago?

Clare was shocked to see Ian in today's EastEnders
Clare was shocked to see Ian in today’s EastEnders (Credit: BBC)

Nigel almost missed his own funeral

As Julie and Phil struggled with the enormity of saying goodbye to Nigel, the residents of Albert Square gathered at Phil’s house before the funeral.

Julie was struggling to find the perfect words for her eulogy. Soon Nigel’s step-daughter, Clare, arrived, along with Julie’s son, Josh. Clare offered Julie support with her eulogy and suggested a poem that she and Nigel wrote together when she was a child.

But before the funeral got underway, it dawned on the Mitchells that Mark was missing, and it didn’t take them long to realise Russell had kidnapped him.

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Phil, Sam and Grant agreed to go and find Mark after Nigel’s funeral. But when Russell called with fresh demands as they were getting into the hearse, the trio raced off to Hackney – with Nigel in tow!

Grant, Phil and Sam go to rescue Mark
Grant, Phil and Sam went to rescue Mark (Credit: BBC)

The Mitchells saved Mark

Taking Nigel on ‘one last boys’ trip’, Billy drove them to a warehouse. He sat in the hearse with Nigel’s coffin while Sam, Phil and Grant went in to rescue Mark.

They were shocked to find him tied up, and soon a fight almost broke out between Grant, Phil and Russell’s men.

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Thankfully, Sam had a clear head and came up with a plan to keep the peace.

Russell had demanded a gold chain back that she had stolen from him years ago. In return, she offered Russell Nigel’s watch, which Julie had given to Phil just hours earlier. Oblivious that Sam was bluffing and it was actually Billy’s watch, Phil was adamant that Russell couldn’t have it, but Sam insisted it was what Nigel would have wanted.

Russell then demanded that the cash be transferred to his account from Grant’s bar sale and considered the debt settled.

It was then a race to get Nigel to his own funeral, and they arrived in the nick of time with a bloodied and bruised Mark in tow.

Julie giving her eulogy at Nigel's funeral
Nigel got the send-off he deserved (Credit: BBC)

Clare and Ian had an unhappy reunion in EastEnders

Julie was relieved to see Phil, Grant and Sam finally arrive in the hearse. Soon, everyone piled into the church to give Nigel the send-off he deserved. Julie’s eulogy was perfect, and to everyone’s surprise, Grant and Phil got up and spoke about Nigel in a moving tribute.

Back at the Square, everyone went to Phil’s house for the wake. And, during a quiet moment with Phil, Julie dropped the bombshell that she was moving back to Scotland.

However, it wasn’t the Mitchells’ gangster antics, or even Julie leaving, that had everyone talking. It was the fact that Clare and Ian were so awkward with one another when they came face-to-face at Phil’s house.

The hearse with Nigel's name in flowers
Clare returned to Walford to say goodbye to Nigel (Credit: BBC)

What happened between Clare and Ian in EastEnders?

After returning to Albert Square in 2008, Clare started targeting wealthy men for their money. She realised she could make some serious cash from Ian Beale, so she set up a honeytrap.

Clare started flirting with Ian, eventually kissing him. The kiss left Ian shocked. However, he later invited Clare for dinner at a hotel and told her he’d booked a room for the night.

Knowing she had Ian trapped, Clare threatened to tell Jane about their kiss unless Ian paid up. But Ian called Clare’s bluff and told Jane what had happened himself.

Jane was furious and warned Clare to stay away from Ian, eventually putting an end to her blackmailing schemes.

Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns