The Beale family's prayers are finally answered when Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) is released from prison in EastEnders next week, but it soon becomes clear that his time behind bars has left him traumatised.
The Walford stalwart was jailed earlier this year after he was convicted for a drink-driving incident, which saw him hit young Jordan Fox with his car on Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) and Ross Marshall's (Alex Walkinshaw) wedding day.
Time inside with Gray Atkins
During his time inside, he became embroiled with Albert Square's notorious serial killer Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith), who was out for revenge against Ian for injuring his son, using him in a terrifying plot against ex-wife Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams).
Fortunately, Gray didn't get away with his evil plans, while Chelsea also agreed to help Ian with an appeal to overturn his conviction.
Welcome-home drink turns sour
Next week, Ian is finally set free and reunited with his loved ones, but he's a shadow of his former self. During a welcome-home drink at The Vic, he gets overwhelmed and ends up in a row with Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) over a missed inspection at the chip shop, which causes him to flee.
Troubled by his time inside, Ian continues to shut his family out, and things only get worse when he discovers the chippy has been vandalised.
Unlikely ally and a fraught meeting
He finds an unlikely ally in Walford newcomer Ned Roper (Jamie Bamber), who helps Ian to open up by forcing him to face what happened on the night of the accident.
As a result, he reaches out to Chelsea to try and make amends, but with Ian still vulnerable and Chelsea still dealing with Jordan's care and mum Denise Fox's (Diane Parish) cancer treatment, will it be a fraught or forgiving meeting between the pair?
EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 5th October at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer.
