EastEnders's Ian Beale leaves viewers shocked at his new look
He returned to the soap last night
Author: Alex RossPublished 13th Mar 2018 Last updated 13th Mar 2018
Viewers of EastEnders were in for a treat last night as popular character Ian Beale returned to Walford after a recent trip to New Zealand. But it was his brand new look that really got fans of the soap talking.
Ian, who is played by the actor Adam Woodyatt, returned to our TV screens sporting a brand new beard, and it quickly became the biggest talking point of Monday night's episode.
Fans of EastEnders flocked to Twitter to express their opinions on Ian's new look, with most being extremely complimentary. One user wrote, 'EastEnders Ian looks so much better with a beard' sic, with another adding, 'I find Ian's beard weirdly attractive #Eastenders'. sic
Others shared their thoughts on Ian's new look...
And it seems it wasn't just viewers of the show that were left in shock at Ian's new look, his on screen mum, Kathy Beale, also expressed her opinion.
When Ian admitted he was trying something new, Kathy's reaction was probably not what Ian was hoping for!
Actor Adam has been absent from the show in recent weeks after he decided to visit his son Peter Beale in New Zealand, following the split from his wife Jane.
Check out some of the biggest celebrity transformations below:
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EastEnders's Ian Beale leaves viewers shocked at his new look
2 of 33
Jonathan Tapper, now
But with the help of a diet plan, Jonathan was able to lose a whopping three stone in just 12 weeks, and six inches off his waist!
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Little Mix, then
Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson and Jade Thirlwall looked very young in 2011 after winning The X Factor. To be fair, they were all teenagers at the time!
Little Mix, now
Now the biggest girl band on the planet, the girls look fantastic!
Calvin Harris, then
Scottish DJ Calvin Harris pictured here in 2009. Sorry Calvin, but we're not sure that look would be Acceptable In The 80s - OR now.
Calvin Harris, now
The 'One Kiss' hit-maker transformed into an A-list hunk, and has dated the likes of Taylor Swift and Rita Ora. Twit twoo!
Cheryl, then
Girls Aloud singer Cheryl was just a fresh-faced teenager when she auditioned for Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.
Cheryl, now
She's now an on-trend and super-glamorous mum-of-one, even walking the red carpet at a London Fashion Week show.
Justin Bieber, then
Little Justin Bieber was just a Baby when he burst onto the scene in 2009...
Justin Bieber, now
These days, he's of course grown up - but he looks pretty much the same! Apart from the fact that he no longer has the signature Bieber hairstyle, of course.
Rihanna, then
A young Rihanna in 2005...
Rihanna, now
The still cheeky Fenty grin is still there, and Rihanna continues to defy the aging process.
Matthew Lewis, then
Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis starred in the film series as Neville Longbottom from 2001 to the last film in 2011, here pictured in 2004 at the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban premiere.
Matthew Lewis, now
Matthew grew up into such a good-looking chap that the makeup department on the Potter films had to try and make him less attractive in the later films, even spawning the phrase 'Longbottomed'.
Miley Cyrus, then
Miley Cyrus in her Hannah Montana days...
Miley Cyrus, now
She may have gone through various transformations, but Miley is still recognisable.
Gareth Gates, then
Pop Idol contestant Gareth Gates on the show back in 2001...
Gareth Gates, now
Here in 2017, he showing off his muscular physique alongside his girlfriend Faye Brookes.
Katy Perry, then
Katy Perry rocking long black hair in 2004...
Katy Perry, now
And showing off her shorter, blonde pixie cut in 2017.
Chris Pratt, then
Jurassic Park actor Chris Pratt back in 2008...
Chris Pratt, now
Shed the pounds and now has a slimmer physique.
Kylie Jenner, then
A fresh faced Kylie Jenner in 2008...
Kylie Jenner, now
Now rocking a platinum blonde 'do at the age of 21 in November 2018.
Zac Efron, then
Zac Efron in his High School Musical days back in 2007...
Zac Efron
10 years later, he was looking incredibly dapper at the Australian premiere for The Greatest Showman in 2017 - even sporting a 'tache.
Justin Timberlake, then
JT rocking his epic tight curls with frosted tips back in 2000...
Justin Timberlake, now
He's so much more grown-up in September 2018 whilst performing in Las Vegas.
Johnny Vegas, then
TV personality Johnny Vegas, real name Michael Pennington, is well known for his larger frame.
Johnny Vegas, now
But in 2018, he revealed that he'd lost two stone.
Jack Ryder, then
Jack Ryder, AKA Jamie Mitchell from EastEnders, was a noughties heartthrob if ever there was one.
Jack Ryder, now
In 2018, Jack was announced to be joining Holby City - and look at him now!
Jonathan Tapper, then
Gogglebox's Jonathan Tapper was 21st 3lbs at his heaviest whilst appearing on the show with his family - wife Nikki, daughter Amy and son Josh.
Jonathan Tapper, now
But with the help of a diet plan, Jonathan was able to lose a whopping three stone in just 12 weeks, and six inches off his waist!
Swipe through to see the most amazing celebrity transformations of all time...
Little Mix, then
Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson and Jade Thirlwall looked very young in 2011 after winning The X Factor. To be fair, they were all teenagers at the time!
Little Mix, now
Now the biggest girl band on the planet, the girls look fantastic!
Calvin Harris, then
Scottish DJ Calvin Harris pictured here in 2009. Sorry Calvin, but we're not sure that look would be Acceptable In The 80s - OR now.
Calvin Harris, now
The 'One Kiss' hit-maker transformed into an A-list hunk, and has dated the likes of Taylor Swift and Rita Ora. Twit twoo!
Cheryl, then
Girls Aloud singer Cheryl was just a fresh-faced teenager when she auditioned for Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.
Cheryl, now
She's now an on-trend and super-glamorous mum-of-one, even walking the red carpet at a London Fashion Week show.
Justin Bieber, then
Little Justin Bieber was just a Baby when he burst onto the scene in 2009...
Justin Bieber, now
These days, he's of course grown up - but he looks pretty much the same! Apart from the fact that he no longer has the signature Bieber hairstyle, of course.
Rihanna, then
A young Rihanna in 2005...
Rihanna, now
The still cheeky Fenty grin is still there, and Rihanna continues to defy the aging process.
Matthew Lewis, then
Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis starred in the film series as Neville Longbottom from 2001 to the last film in 2011, here pictured in 2004 at the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban premiere.
Matthew Lewis, now
Matthew grew up into such a good-looking chap that the makeup department on the Potter films had to try and make him less attractive in the later films, even spawning the phrase 'Longbottomed'.
Miley Cyrus, then
Miley Cyrus in her Hannah Montana days...
Miley Cyrus, now
She may have gone through various transformations, but Miley is still recognisable.
Gareth Gates, then
Pop Idol contestant Gareth Gates on the show back in 2001...
Gareth Gates, now
Here in 2017, he showing off his muscular physique alongside his girlfriend Faye Brookes.
Katy Perry, then
Katy Perry rocking long black hair in 2004...
Katy Perry, now
And showing off her shorter, blonde pixie cut in 2017.
Chris Pratt, then
Jurassic Park actor Chris Pratt back in 2008...
Chris Pratt, now
Shed the pounds and now has a slimmer physique.
Kylie Jenner, then
A fresh faced Kylie Jenner in 2008...
Kylie Jenner, now
Now rocking a platinum blonde 'do at the age of 21 in November 2018.
Zac Efron, then
Zac Efron in his High School Musical days back in 2007...
Zac Efron
10 years later, he was looking incredibly dapper at the Australian premiere for The Greatest Showman in 2017 - even sporting a 'tache.
Justin Timberlake, then
JT rocking his epic tight curls with frosted tips back in 2000...
Justin Timberlake, now
He's so much more grown-up in September 2018 whilst performing in Las Vegas.
Johnny Vegas, then
TV personality Johnny Vegas, real name Michael Pennington, is well known for his larger frame.
Johnny Vegas, now
But in 2018, he revealed that he'd lost two stone.
Jack Ryder, then
Jack Ryder, AKA Jamie Mitchell from EastEnders, was a noughties heartthrob if ever there was one.
Jack Ryder, now
In 2018, Jack was announced to be joining Holby City - and look at him now!
Jonathan Tapper, then
Gogglebox's Jonathan Tapper was 21st 3lbs at his heaviest whilst appearing on the show with his family - wife Nikki, daughter Amy and son Josh.
Jonathan Tapper, now
But with the help of a diet plan, Jonathan was able to lose a whopping three stone in just 12 weeks, and six inches off his waist!
The 49-year-old actor has become a major character on the show and is currently EastEnders's longest serving character after joining in 1985. To congratulate him for his services, Adam was rewarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 at the British Soap Awards.