Is Ian Beale the dead body in EastEnders at Christmas?

Well, at this point, it's as possible as any other theory, and EastEnders isn't afraid to knock us off our feet.

So, join us as we delve into just how Ian might find himself at the centre of a murder mystery he can't come back from...

Is Ian Beale the dead body in EastEnders at Christmas?

No, Ian Beale will not be the body on the floor on Christmas Day in EastEnders.

The character has now been confirmed for scenes in January, meaning that Mr Beale has once again escaped the clutches of death.

Though with Cindy around, we're not too sure how long that will last...

Why we some thought it could be Ian...

Sudden return after exit

When Ian walked away from Albert Square in 2021, after nearly being poisoned to death by Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), we spent the next two years under the impression that we may not see him again.

Although it was never officially claimed that star Woodyatt had left for good, there was also nothing to suggest he would be back.

Enter: a very much alive Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) and the soap return of the year! And given how out of the blue Ian's comeback has been, could it be that EastEnders has brought him in only to end his story for good?

He's been his usual annoying self, and has arguably got worse after throwing mum Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) out. Is Ian about to face the ultimate punishment for his selfishness?

Connections to The Six

Son of Kathy, ex-fiancé of Denise Fox (Diane Parish), best friend (and ex-husband) to Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) and ex-in-law to Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), Ian is closely linked to many of The Six.

Ian has also had run-ins with Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal), and may still end up clashing with Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) given his and Cindy's feud with her mother Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) and her fiancé George Knight (Colin Salmon).

Given George's suit of armour is in the background in EastEnders' flash-forward of the murder scene, what if George steps in to defend Linda against Ian - but things go too far?

Or might Ian's truce with Sharon be an act, resulting in a revenge plot over her previous attempt to kill him, which leads her to end his life for real mid-showdown?

Perhaps relations between the Beales and Panesars sour once more, and Suki has reason to strike against Ian? However outlandish these theories might seem, Ian's links to these women are certainly worth considering.

Parallel - knocked to the floor in The Vic

Last month, Ian was dealt a punch to the face by Cindy's daughter Gina Knight (Francesca Henry) after he badmouthed her sister Anna (Molly Rainford).

With Ian ending up on the floor of the pub - the location of that lifeless body come Christmas Day - one fan felt that this could be a hint as to his future fate.

Are they right? Might Ian's moment of humiliation be a serious clue that he'll be resting on that same floor soon enough, with no chance of recovery? Anything could be a clue at this point, so we're not ruling it out.

Cindy rewrites history as The Seventh

This isn't the first time RadioTimes.com has pondered Cindy having a leading role in the festive storyline. There could indeed be a seventh member of the all-female group, and that person could be Cindy.

With Cindy having tried to kill Ian decades ago, the pair appear to have put the past behind them. But what if she ends up rewriting history - only to actually succeed in bumping off Ian this time around?

The chemistry between Cindy and ex-husband George is very much sizzling, and it feels like an affair is imminent. Would Cindy resort to murder to get rid of Ian so she can reclaim George, or might something else lead her to kill Ian? Let's face it, Cindy isn't a completely reformed character...

Read more:

• Is there a secret Seventh leading lady for EastEnders Christmas 2023? Theories, clues
• EastEnders spoilers: Who is Cindy Beale teaming up with?
• EastEnders boss teases Halloween horror surprise for Linda Carter
• EastEnders' Lorraine Stanley: 'If they kill Karen I'll never watch again'

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. If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide.

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special issue of Radio Times. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.