Who is EastEnders’ Ian Beale actor Adam Woodyatt?
EASTENDERS legend Adam Woodyatt has portrayed everything from loan shark to property tycoon during his time on the BBC show as the iconic and ever-changing Walford character Ian Beale.
The actor has announced that he’ll be stepping into a new role for 2021 – that of an I’m A Celeb Jungle camp-mate. Here’s everything you need to know about the star…
Who is Adam Woodyatt?
Adam Brinley Woodyatt was born on June 28, 1968, and first acted in BBC children’s drama The Baker Street Boys before starring in the now iconic role of Ian Beale.
After he appeared in The Baker Street Boys, Adam briefly put his acting career on hiatus and worked as a butcher in Wales before he returned to the screen for EastEnders.
In 2013, his longevity was honoured at the British Soap Awards, where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his portrayal of infamous character Ian Beale.
However, it’s been reported that Woodyatt is ready to leave the show behind for good and is hoping his stint in the I’m A Celeb jungle will launch a whole new chapter in his career.
What’s the Ian Beale actor’s net worth?
As the show’s longest-serving cast member, Adam rightfully is also one of the soap’s highest earners.
In July 2017, his salary was leaked by Piers Morgan who tweeted: “BBC SALARIES (Soaps) Highest paid actor: Adam Woodyatt & Danny Dyer: £200k-£249k.”
Despite being an Albert Square resident for more than 30 years, Adam doesn’t assume his contract will be renewed and it’s always a surprise when he’s awarded a new deal.
The actor also earns a nice little side-gig away from the day job, acting on the panto circuit for years for which he reportedly earns around £130,000 a production.
It was reported in November 2021, that Woodyatt splashed out on a new 100k camper van.
How long did he play Ian Beale in Eastenders for?
The 52-year-old debuted in EastEnders’ first-ever episode in 1985 and has since become the soap’s longest-serving cast member.
For his role as Ian Beale, Adam has portrayed everything from loan shark to property tycoon, been married four times and has won five British Soap Awards..
Despite appearing in over 2,000 episodes, Adam revealed he hates getting a famous “duff, duff, duff” moment on the show because he has to stand “like a lemon”.
Who’s his wife Beverley Sharp and how many children do they have?
On 8 April 1998, Woodyatt married dancer Beverley Sharp and the couple have two children together, Jessica Jade and Samuel James.
After 22 years of marriage the pair split in 2020
It’s understood the actor made the decision to leave the relationship, but sources insist there is no third party involved.
A friend said: “Beverley was naturally very upset, as anybody would be in the circumstances, but these things happen and it’s a straightforward separation.
“Nobody plans for these things and divorce is a difficult thing to get your head around but they have dealt with it quietly for several months and are now telling friends so it’s less of a secret.
“They still get on well, and are keen to make sure they stay that way for the sake of their children – even though they are now grown up.”