Adam Woodyatt has revealed that he has not yet started discussions about a potential return to EastEnders.
The actor left his role as Ian Beale at the end of 2020 in order to appear in a play, although various coronavirus-related delays have meant that his time out from the soap has been progressively extended.
Now that the play's run has come to an end, Woodyatt was expected to return to Walford - although in a new interview, he has suggested that a comeback is far from certain.
"I've kind of left, but not left. It's kind of the way the storyline has gone... I'm not there," he told Steph's Packed Lunch.
"I could go back, and I could not go back. I don't know!"
He continued: "The speculation has been hysterical. I think everyone is always going to speculate. But there are no plans at the moment."
Woodyatt holds the distinction of having appeared in more episodes of EastEnders than any other main cast member and has been part of the show since its first ever episode in February 1985.
Neil Wilkes
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