Adam Woodyatt | |
|---|---|
 Woodyatt in 2009 | |
| Born | Adam Brinley Woodyatt 28 June 1968 Walthamstow, London, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Known for | Role of Ian Beale in EastEnders |
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Spouse | Beverley Sharp (m. 1998;div. 2022) |
| Children | 2 |
Adam Brinley Woodyatt (born 28 June 1968) is an English actor. He is known for his role as Ian Beale in the BBC soap opera EastEnders , a role he has portrayed since the show's inception in 1985. [1]
Woodyatt was born on 28 June 1968 in Walthamstow, and grew up in east London. He was educated at two independent schools: Forest School, [2] on the edge of Epping Forest, in Walthamstow in north east London, where he shared classes with comedy writer Sharat Sardana and cricket captain Nasser Hussain; and the Sylvia Young Theatre School. [3] He also attended Llanidloes High School, Llanidloes, Wales. [4]
Aged 13, Woodyatt appeared on stage at the National Theatre in Tom Stoppard's play On the Razzle . [5] Following the completion of his studies at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, Woodyatt appeared in the BBC's children's drama series The Baker Street Boys and the ITV fantasy series The Witches and the Grinnygog , both airing in 1983. He then put his acting career on hiatus and worked as a butcher in Wales for a brief period, before joining the cast of BBC soap opera EastEnders . Not expecting to stay much beyond the first year, [6] Woodyatt has become the longest-serving male cast member in EastEnders. In 2013, his longevity was honoured at The British Soap Awards, where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his portrayal of Ian Beale. [7]
Woodyatt has also appeared as a guest personality on several BBC game shows and charity fundraisers, including A Question of Sport , Robot Wars (winning the show's Celebrity Special with the robot Pussycat) and Children in Need . In 2015, Woodyatt played the henchman of the Wicked Queen in a pantomime production of Snow White at Swindon's Wyvern Theatre. Speaking about joining the production, Woodyatt commented: "I absolutely love performing in front of an audience as it's so different to camera – I love the reaction of the audience. I am very much looking forward to spending the Christmas season at the Wyvern Theatre, which I know has a reputation for staging outstanding pantomimes." [8]
On 24 April 2015, the comedy singer Gavin Osborn released a song titled "Adam Woodyatt", with the lines "Imagine how it feels, being Ian Beale". [9] In 2019, he appeared on Celebrity Masterchef . [10]
In August 2020, it was announced Woodyatt would be taking an "extended break" from appearing in EastEnders. [11] In 2022, he made a brief return for the funeral of Dot Cotton (June Brown). [12] He returned on a permanent basis in August 2023, alongside the character's wife Cindy Beale who was supposedly killed off 25 years prior. [13]
In November 2021, Woodyatt was announced as one of the two annual late entrants during the twenty-first series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! , entering alongside Coronation Street actor Simon Gregson. He was eliminated on day 18 from Gwrych Castle (hosting its second season) in Wales on 10 December 2021, finishing in sixth place. [14]
Woodyatt is also a photographer, a hobby he took up while performing On The Razzle at the National Theatre when he was 13 years old. [15]
In 2008, he won the Architectural Photographer of the Year Award of The Societies of Photographers with a picture he took at St Pancras, where he was filming EastEnders. [16]
On 8 April 1998, Woodyatt married dancer Beverley Sharp in a private ceremony at Disney World, Florida. [17] The couple have two children. For many years, the family lived in Southam, Warwickshire, some 72 miles northwest of the BBC Elstree Studios in south Hertfordshire, where EastEnders is recorded. On 21 August 2020, it was revealed that Woodyatt had decided to separate from Sharp the previous year, after more than twenty years of marriage. [18] Woodyatt is a supporter of Liverpool F.C. [19] and has been described by Digital Spy as a "huge sci-fi fanatic". [20]
Inspired by his father's death from cancer aged 58, Woodyatt has helped raise money for various cancer research initiatives, and broke his collarbone in June 2003 whilst training for a charity bicycle ride. [21]
Woodyatt was also involved in launching an Aid for Haiti event at Coventry's Ricoh Arena in February 2010, with many of his actor colleagues posing for photographs, signing autographs, and providing items for an auction, which raised £30,000. Woodyatt is also a supporter of Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance [22] and an Ambassador for the Children's Air Ambulance. [23]
In January 2019, it was announced that he would be running the London Marathon with some of his EastEnders co-stars for a Dementia campaign in honour of former Eastenders actress Barbara Windsor. [24]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Happy Birthday, Coronation Street! | Himself |
| 1998 | Reasonably Scary Monsters | |
| 1999 | An Audience with Tom Jones | |
| 2000 | A Question of EastEnders | |
| 2001 | An Audience with Des O'Connor | |
| Wendy Richard: A Life on the Box | ||
| 2002 | Test the Nation: The National IQ Test 2002 | |
| 2003 | EastEnders: Slaters in Detention | Ian Beale |
| Test the Nation: The National Relationship Test | Himself | |
| 2004 | How Soaps Changed the World | |
| 2007 | EastEnders Feuds: The Beales vs. The Mitchells | |
| 2008 | Happy Birthday Brucie! | |
| 2009 | The British Soap Awards 2009: After Party | |
| Donny & Marie: Las Vegas Live | ||
| 2010 | Coronation Street: The Big 50 | |
| EastEnders: Last Tango in Walford | Ian Beale | |
| 2011 | EastEnders: Greatest Exits | |
| 2012 | The Walford Apprentice | |
| 2014 | The Ghosts of Ian Beale | |
| 2015 | EastEnders: Backstage with Zoe Ball & Joe Swash | Himself |
| Neighbours 30th Anniversary Tribute: Ramsay Square | Ian Beale | |
| 2016 | Bobby Beale: The Story So Far | |
| 2017 | June Brown at 90: A Walford Legend | Himself |
| 2018 | The Best of EastEnders | |
| 2022 | 'Allo 'Allo! Forty Years of Laughter | Ian Beale |
| Queens for the Night | Himself |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | The Baker Street Boys | Shiner | 8 episodes |
| The Witches and the Grinnygog | Dave Firkettle | 6 episodes | |
| 1985–present | EastEnders | Ian Beale | Regular role |
| 1987 | First Class | Himself | Episode: "Celebrity First Class 1987" |
| 1988–1989, 1992 | Going Live! | 3 episodes | |
| 1990–1991 | Motormouth | 2 episodes | |
| 1991 | Family Fortunes | Episode: "Series 11, episode 5" | |
| 1992, 1994 | Noel's House Party | 2 episodes | |
| 1993 | The Main Event | Episode: "Series 1, episode 4" | |
| Dimensions in Time | Ian Beale | Charity crossover between Doctor Who and EastEnders | |
| 1994 | You Bet! | Himself | 2 episodes |
| Live & Kicking | Episode: "Series 2, episode 11" | ||
| 1995 | The James Whale Show | Episode: "Series 1, episode 35" | |
| 1995–1996 | That's Showbusiness | 2 episodes | |
| 1998 | Computers Don't Bute: The Beginner's Guide | Episode: "Series 2, episode 1" | |
| 1998, 2000, 2003 | This Is Your Life | 4 episodes | |
| 1999 | EastEnders: Fighting Fit | 5 episodes | |
| The Other Half | Episode: "Celebrity Special" | ||
| 2000 | Robot Wars | Episode: "Celebrity Robot Wars" | |
| 2000–2001 | Auntie's Bloomers | Ian Beale | 2 episodes |
| 2000–2001, 2010 | The Weakest Link | Himself | 3 episodes |
| 2001 | The Generation Game | Episode: "Series 22, episode 15" | |
| Celebrity Ready, Steady, Cook | Episode: "6 May 2001" | ||
| A Question of TV | 2 episodes | ||
| Big Impression | Ian Beale | Episode: "Christmas Special 2001" | |
| 2002 | The Kumars at No. 42 | Himself | Episode: "Series 2, episode 4" |
| 2002, 2008–2009 | EastEnders Revealed | 5 episodes | |
| 2003 | A Question of Sport | Episode: "Series 32, episode 29" | |
| 2003, 2011, 2023 | Children in Need | Ian Beale | 2 episodes |
| Freddie Mercury | Episode: "2011" | ||
| Bet Lynch | |||
| 2003–2004 | EastEnders: Christmas Party | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2004 | Celebrity Mastermind | Episode: "2004 Episode 3" | |
| They Think It's All Over | Episode: "Series 18, episode 1" | ||
| 2005 | Dick and Dom in da Bungalow | Episode: "Series 5, episode 15" | |
| Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two | Episode: "Series 2, episode 25" | ||
| 2005, 2014 | Strictly Come Dancing | 2 episodes | |
| 2006 | Screenwipe | Ian Beale | Episode: "Series 2, episode 1" |
| School's Out | Himself | Episode: "Series 1, episode 2" | |
| 2007 | Would I Lie to You? | Ian Beale | |
| Himself | Episode: "Series 10, episode 8" | ||
| Doctor Who Confidential | Episode: "Meet Martha Jones" | ||
| 2007, 2009, 2013–2016 | The British Soap Awards | 6 episodes | |
| 2008 | The Podge and Rodge Show | Episode: "Series 4, episode 18" | |
| 2009 | The 4th TV Now Awards | Episode: "2009" | |
| 2010, 2015, 2023–2024 | National Television Awards | 4 episodes | |
| 2010 | EastEnders: The Greatest Cliffhangers | Episode: "Series 1, episode 2" | |
| Ian Beale | Episode: "Series 1, episode 2" | ||
| Dancing on Ice | Himself | Episode: "Series 5, episode 2" | |
| 2010, 2023 | Breakfast | 2 episodes | |
| 2010 | EastEnders: E20 | Ian Beale | |
| 2011 | 24 Hour Panel People | Himself | Episode: "Series 1, episode 5" |
| 2015 | Gogglebox | Ian Beale | Episode: "Series 5, episode 2" |
| EastEnders: Back to Ours | Himself | Episode: "Adam Woodyatt & Laurie Brett" | |
| The Graham Norton Show | Episode: "EastEnders Special" | ||
| 2016 | BAFTA Television Awards | Episode: "2016" | |
| 2016, 2020 | The One Show | Ian Beale | Episode: "Peggy Mitchell Special" |
| Himself | Episode: "17 February 2020" | ||
| 2017 | All Round to Mrs. Brown's | Episode: "Series 1, episode 2" | |
| Saturday Morning with James Martin | Episode: "At Christmas – Adam Woodyatt & Paul Rankin" | ||
| 2017–2018 | Sunday Brunch | 2 episodes | |
| 2017, 2023 | Good Morning Britain | ||
| 2018 | Loose Women | Episode: "Series 23, episode 30" | |
| 2018, 2021 | This Morning | Ian Beale | Episode: "Series 30, episode 237" |
| Himself | 2 episodes | ||
| 2019 | Lorraine | Episode: "16 January 2019" | |
| Celebrity Masterchef | Episode: "Series 14, episode 10" | ||
| 2020 | EastEnders: Secrets from the Square | Ian Beale | 2 episodes |
| Himself | |||
| The Noughties | Ian Beale | ||
| What We Were Watching | Episode: "Christmas 1995" | ||
| 2021 | I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! | Himself | Regular role, 16 episodes |
| 2024 | Tracey: A Day in the Life | Ian Beale | 1 episode |
Hannah Elizabeth Waterman is an English actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Laura Beale in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (2000–2004). She is based in Sydney in Australia.
Michelle Danielle Collins is an English actress. She is best known for her role as Cindy Beale in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, and has also appeared as Stella Price in ITV's Coronation Street. Her other notable TV roles include the BBC dramas Real Women (1998–1999), Sunburn (1999–2000) and Two Thousand Acres of Sky (2001–2003).
Ian Albert Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Adam Woodyatt. He is the drama's longest-serving main character and one of four remaining original characters, the others being his mother Kathy Beale, Sharon Watts and Tracey. The character appeared in his 2,000th episode in the show on 26 March 2007, and his 3,000th on 27 May 2016. Woodyatt took an extended break from EastEnders on 22 January 2021. He made appearances on 12 December 2022 and 22 June 2023, prior to a full-time return on 22 August.
Pete Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Peter Dean. He makes his first appearance in the programme's first episode, on 19 February 1985. The character was introduced by Tony Holland, one of the creators of EastEnders; he was based on a member of Holland's family. Pete is featured in the soap for eight years as the local fruit and veg trader of Albert Square; he is a member of the original focal clan in the serial, the Beales and Fowlers. Pete is portrayed as a macho and somewhat insensitive individual who struggles to cope with emotion. Pete was axed from the soap in 1993 and departed in May that year after over eight years on-screen. The character was killed off-screen later that year, following Peter Dean's public criticism of the BBC.
Bobby Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, who made his first appearance in episode 2557, originally broadcast on 24 July 2003. The character was originally played by Kevin Curran as an infant. Prior to his introduction, Bobby's paternity is at the centre of a storyline and is resolved when Ian Beale is revealed as Bobby's father. His mother, Laura Beale, is killed off in 2004 and Bobby's stepmother, Jane Beale, later adopts Bobby. Curran was replaced by Alex Francis in 2007. Following Jane's departure, Bobby finds a mother figure in Mandy Salter and is upset when she leaves.
Gillian Taylforth is an English actress. She is known for her role as Kathy Beale on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, as well as appearing as Jackie Pascoe on ITV's Footballers' Wives (2002–2006) and Sgt. Nikki Wright in ITV's The Bill (2006–2008). She has also appeared in film during her early career, has presented on ITV's Loose Women and appeared as a celebrity contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2008.
Tom Banks is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Colm Ó Maonlaí from 23 April to 1 November 2002. Introduced in April 2002 as a love interest for Sharon Watts, producers made the decision to axe the character, and he was killed off in November 2002. The character was said to be popular with female viewers, and he was voted the eighth sexiest male character to appear in EastEnders in a 2005 poll.
Steven Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Edward Farrell from 1989 to 1990, Stuart Stevens from 1992 to 1998, Edward Savage from 1998 to 2002, and Aaron Sidwell from 2007 to 2008 and then from 2016 to 2017. It was announced on 22 February 2008, that the character would be written out at the end of Sidwell's contract. Sidwell made his on-screen departure on 9 May 2008. On 2 May 2016, it was announced that Sidwell would return to the role. Steven made his return on 27 May 2016. On 9 August 2017, it was announced that Sidwell would leave the show again. Steven made his final exit on 8 September 2017, when the character was killed off during a high-profile stunt week.
Simon "Wicksy" Wicks is a fictional character from the British BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Nick Berry between 1985 and 1990. Wicksy was introduced to take on some of the more adult storylines that had been scripted for another character, Mark Fowler; Mark's actor, David Scarboro, had left the serial prematurely due to personal problems. Wicksy was the soap's first male pin-up.
Richard Cole is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Ian Reddington between 23 July 1992 and 21 July 1994.
Cindy Williams is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, that has been played by four actresses since being introduced in 1998. She makes her debut in episode 1692, originally broadcast on 9 November 1998. Cindy is brought up by her maternal grandmother and aunt off-screen after her mother, Cindy Beale, supposedly dies off-screen in prison while in labor. In 2023, Cindy Beale makes a return in France alongside Ian Beale which confirms she had not died during childbirth – rather she went into Witness Protection, still unbeknownst to Cindy Jr. The characters most prominent storylines see her learn of the murder of her sister Lucy, enter a relationship with Liam Butcher, and struggle as a teenage mother to daughter Beth Williams. Cindy made an unannounced departure on 17 August 2015.
The Banned is a fictional band in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. The storyline first aired in 1986 and although it was considered to be a failure on-screen, it nevertheless became a successful part of the serial's extensive merchandising industry that year, as it spawned two hit singles on the UK singles chart.
Huw Edwards is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Richard Elis. Huw was introduced on 28 May 1996 and remained on-screen until 15 April 1999.
Ryan James Thomas is a British former actor. He is known for playing the role of Jason Grimshaw on ITV soap opera Coronation Street from 2000 until 2016. In 2018, he played Rafael Humphreys in Australian soap opera Neighbours, and won the twenty-second series of Celebrity Big Brother.
Thomas John Law is an English actor and singer. He is known for portraying the role of Peter Beale in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2006 to 2010, before reprising the role from 2023 onwards. Between 2021 and 2023, he appeared in the ITV drama series The Bay as DC Eddie Martin.
"Something Outa Nothing" is a song written by Simon May, Stewart James and Bradley James, for the BBC soap opera EastEnders. It featured in an EastEnders storyline in 1986 and was recorded by actors Letitia Dean and Paul J. Medford. It was released as a single in 1986 reaching number 12 in the UK Singles Chart.
In 1997, the BBC soap opera EastEnders broadcast three singular transmissions that were filmed on location in Dublin, Ireland. The episodes involved the Fowler and Beale family travelling from London to Ireland to meet their long-lost relatives. The episodes were badly received by viewers and heavily criticised in the media. The BBC was inundated with complaints from angry viewers from Ireland for negative stereotyping, portraying Irish people as "dirty, rude, and drunk". Complaints were made by the Irish Embassy and there were fears that the episodes would have a negative effect on the Irish tourist trade. The BBC was forced to issue an apology for causing offence.
Lucy Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. The character was played by Eva Brittin-Snell, Casey Anne Rothery, Melissa Suffield, and Hetti Bywater. Lucy was introduced in December 1993 as the baby daughter of Ian and Cindy Beale. She was the twin sister of Peter Beale, and had three half siblings, older brother Steven Beale, younger sister Cindy Williams and younger brother Bobby Beale.
Wellard is a Belgian Tervuren dog from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. His character first appeared in the series on 18 October 1994, and became EastEnders' longest-serving pet, before being killed off on 15 August 2008. Although the character is male, he has been played primarily by three female dogs: Zenna, her daughter Chancer, and her granddaughter Kyte. A fourth dog briefly served as a replacement for Zenna in 1996, when she was given time off from the show to have a litter of puppies.
