Ian Beale considers suicide?
EastEnders' Ian Beale is to be on the brink of suicide in episodes airing next week.
The tortured businessman - who is grieving the murder of his daughter Lucy Beale - will contemplate ending his life as his pals Sharon Rickman (Letitia Dean) and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) rush to his home to stop him before it's too late.
A source told Inside Soap magazine: "Things are as bad as they could possibly be and Ian can see no way out."
Sharon senses danger when Ian fails to respond to her text messages and she rushes across the square to the aid of the grieving father, who has previously battled mental illness.
The insider continued: "He has suffered with mental health problems before and now he's dealing with bereavement and depression. No one can blame him for feeling so lost, but Ian has a lot to live for - not least a family that needs him."
Ian, played by Adam Woodyatt, struggles to confide in his oldest friend, leaving Sharon struck with anxiety over his well-being.
The source added: "Sharon does mean well, but what can she really say? It's barely any time since Lucy was killed, so Ian is not going be anything but broken. It's just about getting through each day."
Tagged in Adam Woodyatt Letitia Dean Steve McFadden