Why would anybody axe Ian Beale, seriously?
Even if you hate the character, why in the seven hells (Game of Thrones reference) would you axe an original character unless you're Stuart Blackburn or Bryan Kirkwood?

Of course I would not axe Ian. There would always be a place for him in the show as he is like Coronation Street's Ken Barlow, the only character remaining from the first episode. He carries with him the entire show's 30-year-history. He has been at the centre of many fascinating plots over the years, and I never get tired of any scenes which he features in.

Exactly, Pauline has left a legacy and a presence on the show in which nobody can beat. That is because Pauline was such a strong character and Wendy Richard was such a force to be reckoned with in real life too which is what made Pauline so formidable. Whenever I saw Pauline on screen arguing with Peggy I used to say "Your not fit enough to lick the bottom of Pauline's shoes Peggy." IMPO the show has lost so much since Pauline left.

EastEnders as it was for the first 20 years basically ended when Pauline left. She was EastEnders. Pat was a close 2nd but I feel her importance became greater only once Pauline was gone which is why Pat should not have been killed off. Peggy was never a contender in my opinion. Nor Ian despite being there since episode one.

Oh yes of course. Pat I believe was made the Matriarch of the square after Pauline died. Pauline and Pat could interact with every single character, however Peggy couldn't. She was too bitchy and too judgemental to be a matriarch.

Michelle should have been the one to carry the show forward and I'm sure that was the original plan, why else would they have made her the mother of both Den and Grants children. I'll always be sorry that she left and took her potential s/ls with her. No way would Phil (or his dreadful mother) have bullied her.

No I wouldn't. I hate the weasel's guts and I enjoy doing so. A sneaky, snivelling weasel.

I think that was the intention for Pauline and Michelle to live in Walford for the rest of their lives :/ shame that never happened.

Michelle sticking around would have been perfect. She was the most down to earth and easy to relate to of the Beale/Fowler kids. A perfect character to carry on the legacy of the original family/families.

I wouldn't axe Ian when all is said and done. I think it would be silly to axe the only character who has stayed on the show since the start. But my enjoyment of EastEnders is not dependent on him being there and I'd keep watching if he was axed.

Look at these clips. One containing both Pauline and Ian and the other just Pauline. Look how much presence Pauline has in the scenes and then look at Ian.
http://youtu.be/PehjPvns8Mc?t=1m33s
http://youtu.be/aozn6HyKUTA?t=4m47s

Oh Mormon!! You know too well I would axe him in a heartbeat lol 😂. I don't understand when people call him a legend etc.....no one is bigger than the show.

It was so nice when he went tramping on the streets.

But Ian should not be axed IMO and neither should Sharon neither. Anyone who would axe Ian has to be mad.

Not everyone is sentimental about characters or individual families. They should all be judged on entertainment value and performance however long they've been there.

Adam Woodyatt is a fantastic actor IMO

Oh my God, it's like Glasnost all over again!
I do agree with you both about Michelle, Pauline and the Fowlers. Ian would probably have been a bit more bearable if Kathy was around to give him a ticking off. Having said that its enjoyable watching him squirm and I can't wait for Denise finding out.

That explains a lot but contracts are made to be broken, well this one is anyway


I know, which is why it has to happen

Ian has had his day. I can't bear him and his antics have taken him too far into unpleasant territory. I don't think the guy's a good actor and without even that he has no redeeming features.

I really hope he is Lucy's killer and he gets caught and is imprisoned FOR LIFE

I think thats the problem. Pauline or Pat used to be the ones who gave Ian a good clipping. Nobody bothers now LOL, not even Dot.

Ian hasn't had his day. Ian/Adam are part of the furniture in Eastenders

It saddens me that Ian is the last of the original Fowler/Beales. He's such a sleazy unsavoury lowlife of a character. All of his dead relatives are probably spinning in their graves at his disgusting antics.

Exactly. The point has already been made but it bears repeating. With Pauline gone, EE really wasn't EE anymore, especially after all the 2005 departures. It was utterly stupid then to bump off Kathy and Pat. I think it's quite sad that EE will now hold onto the likes of Shirley and Max forever more as the future icons.

Oh I dunno, I bet Uncle Arthur looks on in amazement and envy at all the hot totty Ian has tapped up. He only ever got Pauline and Mrs Hewitt.

It's time for a change.

There are worse people than Ian who need axing. Cora and Lauren for a start!

I like Cora and Lauren and plus Jacqueline will need to earn money for her child and plus Ann Mitchell is a very good actress and also we don't have many oldies on the Square

He was lucky to get Pauline! Wendy Richard was gorgeous in the 70's!