It has been over three decades since the nation said goodbye to one of Albert Square's most iconic residents, but the legacy of EastEnders' original fruit and veg trader, Pete Beale, endures. Portrayed by actor Peter Dean, the tough Cockney was a mainstay of the BBC soap from its very first episode in 1985 until his shock departure.
From Walford Market to a Dramatic Exit
Pete Beale was a cornerstone of the Beale and Fowler families, making his debut as the husband of Kathy Beale and father to the now-legendary Ian Beale. For eight years, from February 1985 to May 1993, he was a fixture at the market stall, famously unable to tell a Golden Delicious from a Granny Smith. His life in Walford was never short of drama, most notably his involvement in the paternity scandal surrounding Simon Wicks and his first wife, Pat Butcher.
Dean's character was known for his affectionate catchphrase, "Alright, treacle!" a line beloved by his family, including his on-screen twin sister, Pauline Fowler. This made him the uncle of Martin Fowler and the grandfather of Peter Beale, who was named in his honour.
However, Pete's time in Walford came to an abrupt end. After leaving the Square, the character was tragically killed off-screen in a car crash in December 1993. This move came amid reports of deteriorating relations between Peter Dean and the show's producers.
Behind the Scenes: A Clash with the BBC
The actor's exit from EastEnders was not a peaceful one. Peter Dean has publicly stated that his contract was terminated due to "irreconcilable differences" following his criticism of the programme's producers. In a candid appearance on Loose Women, Dean revealed the moment he was told his character was being written out.
"The producer called me in and said, 'The writers can't find anything for you to do,'" Dean recalled. His pragmatic response was, "Well get rid of the writers. Life's simple when it's logical." He concluded that the decision was already final, reflecting, "EastEnders is EastEnders. The real East End has changed."
Despite his departure, fans still fondly remember Pete's unique quirks, such as his habit of drinking lemonade from a pewter tankard, a choice reportedly linked to the character being a practising Buddhist who avoided alcohol.
Life After Albert Square and Hopes for a Return
Now 86 years old and hailing from Hoxton in East London, Peter Dean's career both preceded and extended far beyond his time in Walford. Before joining EastEnders, he secured roles in major TV series like Law and Order, Minder, and even Coronation Street in 1983. His film credits include Up Pompeii and The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle.
After leaving the soap, Dean continued to work in entertainment, making cameo appearances in shows like Bo' Selecta and Little Britain. He also participated in the 2018 BBC series The Real Marigold Hotel.
Remarkably, the actor has not ruled out a return to the hard-hitting drama. Even though his character was killed off, Dean expressed in a 2020 interview with The Star that he would relish a comeback. "Actors don't retire, they just carry on until no one wants them or forget who they are," he stated. He even hinted at a potential storyline, joking, "I've got a van now, so I do a bit of decorating, I do a bit of buying, a bit of selling. They could have Pete back."
According to his profile on The Aston Management website, Peter Dean remains available for acting work, proving that for this EastEnders legend, the final curtain has yet to fall.
