EastEnders fans may be forgiven for thinking they’d taken a wrong turn and ended up on the set of the BBC soap rather than arriving at a family festival over the weekend as Adam Woodyatt was there dishing out hot meals like his soap character Ian Beale.
The 53-year-old TV icon sensationally quit the long-running soap last year to indulge in an extended break after featuring on the show for 35 relentless years.
But while it seems you can take the boy out of Albert Square, you cannot take the Beale out of Adam as he stunned festival goers on Sunday as he dished out fast food at the Pub-In-The-Park festival.
Revellers may have been left questioning if they were experiencing real life or has become unwitting extras in the soap as Adam served customers – much like his fast food company owning soap character.
A source said those at the festival were left “stunned” to see “Adam Woodyatt aka Ian Beale working on a stall at a festival selling Kentucky Fried Pheasant.”
The soap actor was sporting a bushy beard and serving up deep fried bird at the event in Wimbledon Park.
Earlier this year Adam explained that he was considering giving up acting life entirely for a new role as a kitchen worker.
He told the Daily Star earlier this month: “My friend Daniel Clifford has previously offered me a bit of time working in his kitchen at Midsummer House restaurant in Cambridge.
“I might go and do that for a couple of weeks. Knowing Daniel, he will have me doing the washing up!”
It is unclear if or when Adam will return to his role on EastEnders – with some reports suggesting he is being offered a £300,000 per year contract to slip back into his Ian Beale clothes once again.
Adam has been pulling in extra money in the months since he exited the soap by appearing on ITV ’s hit series I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! last November.
His stint in the castle is said to have earned him an incredible £250,000 and he was eliminated sixth on the show after three weeks.
Adam has meanwhile been topping up his income by creating custom videos for fans via Memmo Me – a video request service which will cost fans £40 per request.
He listed himself as: "Actor, best known for his role as Ian Beale in EastEnders.
"Order a video message from Adam today for any occasion birthdays, pep talks, roasts, well wishes, anniversaries or just a hello."
Meanwhile, a source told The Sun earlier this year: “Adam was one of the highest earners in EastEnders and there’s no doubt he’d be looking to come back on at least the same amount of money, if not more."
However, a BBC spokesperson said: “Any contract talks are pure speculation.”
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