EastEnders Ian Returns to Walford After Prison Nightmare

Ian finally returns to Walford in EastEnders after months behind bars, but coming home does not mean he can simply put everything that happened in prison behind him.

Ian was jailed earlier this year after the accident involving Jordan. He had been drink-driving when his car struck Jordan, although Ian did not initially realise he had hit him. The situation became even more complicated because Chelsea knew her own argument with Jordan had contributed to him running into danger, while Ian ultimately faced the legal consequences of the collision.

Prison then became far more dangerous than Ian could ever have expected. He came face to face with Gray, who is serving a life sentence for the murders of Chantelle, Kush and Tina.

Gray attempted to manipulate Ian and pull him into his schemes, with Ian eventually stabbing him during a violent confrontation in order to protect himself. Gray survived, but the experience left Ian dealing with far more than simply serving his sentence.

Kathy has remained focused on Ian’s appeal and getting him home, and that finally happens when he arrives back in Albert Square.

However, Ian struggles to talk about what happened to him behind bars. Unexpectedly, it is Ned who becomes someone he can open up to.

Ned is a war veteran and trained therapist, giving him an understanding of trauma that allows Ian to begin discussing an ordeal he has largely kept locked away.

Ian may finally be back in Walford, but his return makes clear that prison has left its mark.

EastEnders continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Images: BBC