Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) continued to fear that he would lose ex-wife-turned-partner Cindy (Michelle Collins) in tonight's EastEnders (30th August), as he was reunited with some familiar faces.

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After Ian followed Cindy to Walford, he was forced to leave her alone with her other family, the Knights. Ian then shared an emotional hug with youngest son Bobby (Clay Milner Russell) - but Bobby was shaken by Cindy's presence, hearing from his dad that she knew Bobby was responsible for Lucy's (Hetti Bywater) death.

Although Ian assured him that Cindy understood the circumstances, Bobby was panicking, and felt little comfort from his words. It was half-brother Peter Beale (Thomas Law) who gently checked on Bobby, reminding him that he had been able to forgive Bobby, so Cindy and Anna could too.

Back in The Queen Vic bar, Ian and Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) had a tense exchange, with Phil warning him not to tear apart George Knight's (Colin Salmon) family.

But when Phil asked if his own digging into the disappearance of 'Rose Knight' brought Cindy back, Ian insisted it had nothing to do with Phil, and that he and Cindy weren't staying.

Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale in EastEnders, wearing glasses and a striped polo
Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale in EastEnders. BBC

The mood was lifted when Ian had a catch up with old pal Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), but it wasn't long before Ian's longest-suffering friend, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), approached him for an awkward chat.

Viewers know that the last time the pair spoke, Sharon had just tried to poison Ian, wanting payback for his role in her son Denny's (Bleu Landau) tragic death.

Ian was initially cold towards Sharon, but she pointed out that he had forgiven Cindy for also trying to kill him, adding that she didn't want to lose their close bond.

Sharon was concerned about Cindy's role in Ian's life, but Ian explained that she had looked after him since his recent heart attack. When Sharon urged him to go and see his mum Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth), he headed back to his family home.

Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts in EastEnders wearing a red top
Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts in EastEnders. BBC

Ian dismissed new stepfather Rocky (Brian Conley) with a cutting comment about the Cottons, while Kathy was in no mood to offer her son a warm welcome as she continued to condemn Cindy in her own unique way.

However, her motherly concern re-emerged when Ian appeared unwell, though he was quick to assure her he had just had a long day.

Ian was not happy to hear that Bobby had a crush on Anna, the half-sister of his own siblings, while Kathy was shocked when Ian revealed that Cindy was the mother of Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna Knight (Molly Rainford).

Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Cotton in EastEnders wearing a pink outfit and looking angry
Gillian Taylforth as Kathy Cotton in EastEnders. BBC

Claiming that he kept the girls' whereabouts from Cindy to protect her, we all know that the truth is; Ian is worried that she'll go back to George. Is he right about Cindy?

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EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer. Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers.

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