By Emily Sheridan

PUBLISHED: 19:28 EST, 11 May 2012 | UPDATED: 19:47 EST, 11 May 2012

It's fair to say Ian Beale hasn't had the easiest time over the past 27 years.

But the Walford stalwart is set to crumble to his lowest ebb yet when he suffers a mental breakdown.

The chip shop owner, played by Adam Woodyatt, is set to go AWOL, leaving his family terrified.

Turmoil: Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) struggles to come to terms with his brother Ben Mitchell's (Joshua Pascoe) confession to killing Heather

Turmoil: Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) struggles to come to terms with his brother Ben Mitchell's (Joshua Pascoe) confession to killing Heather

Already suffering financial problems in the run-up to his wedding to Mandy Slater (Nicola Stapleton), Ian is horrified when his half-brother Ben Mitchell reveals he was responsible for Heather Trott's (Cheryl Fergison) death.

As part of the storyline, Ian will go missing from Albert Square, giving Woodyatt his first recent break from the soap since he started in 1985.

Executive producer Lorraine Newman said: 'Adam puts in a fabulous performance as a man teetering on the edge of a breakdown, who finally spirals when delivered a catastrophic blow by someone close to him.'

Woodyatt is set to be off screen for at least six weeks.

Will they make it down the aisle? Ian has been suffering relationship problems with fiance Mandy Slater (Nicola Stapleton)

Will they make it down the aisle? Ian has been suffering relationship problems with fiance Mandy Slater (Nicola Stapleton)

In his nearly three decades on the serial drama, Woodyatt has had some huge storylines.

He's been married four times to Cindy Williams (Michelle Collins), Mel Healy (Tamzin Outhwaite), Laura Dunn (Hannah Waterman) and Jane Collins (Laurie Brett).

His first wife Cindy famously hired a hitman to try and kill him, while his stepson Steven goes on to shoot his own wife Jane years later.

Meanwhile, three of his co-stars are also being given extended breaks from the soap.

Patsy Palmer (Bianca Butcher) is being given six months off to spend time with her family, as is on-screen mother Lindsey Coulson (Carol Jackson).

Their co-star Charlie Brooks, who plays Janine Butcher, will also be taking a six-month break, during which she plans to travel around Europe with her daughter in a campervan.

Soap stalwart: A youthful Ian Beale on his 1989 wedding day to Cindy Williams (Michelle Collins)

Soap stalwart: A youthful Ian Beale on his 1989 wedding day to Cindy Williams (Michelle Collins)



Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Eastenders is a good show. Ian Beale'was at his best when suounded by his family. We thought that Peter, played by Thomas Law had huge potential as an actor & was far better than say 'fatboy' and Ben who are just amatures not good at all. On the other hand Jamie Borthwick has really developed his character, he & Law should be given bigger roles. I just love Dot, but her sister, no. It's all in the actor cast & some are very doubtful. As for the redhead's family, she has to be the noisest women I have heard. We eally enjoy Max Branning, in fact all the Brannings are good actors & well cast. Max's wife is a wonderful lady & we would like to see he eally happy. In fact that I believe is the element missing in this show. HAPPINESS

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I like Eastenders. I find it comical. I always say that if my life was like that, I would have committed suicide by now! I mean who writes this rubbish?

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Arnie's right, Derek Branning is an unbelievable character played by an unbelievably bad actor

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he'll come back with sharon

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I will echo other comments - BRING BACK MICHELLE FOWLER (the original one, not a lookalike).

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This is an old rehashed storyline - Frank Butcher had a mental breakdown years ago, and literally walked away - Pat, Ricky Diane, and Janine were devastated, he was out of the programme for years!!

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Pat & Hev are dead. Bianca, Carol, Janine, Dot, Ian, Ricky, Tyler, Anthony, Mandy,are all leaving/taking a break. Kat & Patrick are always on a break! We are left with...Lauren, Lucy,Whitney,Abby, Ben, Jay,Fatboy, Shenice,Tamwar, (and now Alice & Joey Branning)....see where this is going? Where are the grittier older actors, andmore important,where are their decent stories! People ,like Phil, Derek,Shirley, Cora, and the wonderful Jake Moon(Max) deserve better.Come on Lorraine,you could make a real mark here, too many youngsters, and the viewers will turn off, lets face it, most of us have been watching for years, and really dont want to watch teenage drivel, give us some REAL characters!....and I LOVE Kim!!

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"...Michelle wasn't Ian Beale's sister, so it wouldn't be his niece - she was his cousin, so it would be second cousin (or is it first cousin once removed - I never understand the cousin thing). .... Betty Boop, Sheffield, England,12/5/201211:40" =========> No, you don't understand so why comment to correct others? He/She would be Beale's niece/nephew once removed not second cousin. A second cousin is the child of your parent's cousin.

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i thought steven was his son, not stepson?? - Capricious, Internet, 12/5/2012 13:59 ============== Simon Wicks turned out to be his Dad.

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Quote: "I'd start watching Eastenders again if they brought Michelle back - she was the best character, who actually tried to better herself. Too long gone now, I suppose. - Naaman, London, UK, 12/5/2012 13:16 -------------------- Michelle (Sue Tully) is happier behind the camera these days. She's been a director since she left Eastenders in the mid 90s. She's directed numerous programmes like Stella, Lark Rise To Candleford, Silent Witness, The Bill and many more.

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