Peter Beale is making a return to EastEnders - as one of the past actors returns to the role.
The part has been famously re-casted no less than seven times, with Francis Brittin-Snell playing him between 1993 and 1996, before Alex Stevens took over the role in 1997 for a year. From 1998, the part was played by Joseph Shade until 2004 when James Martin stepped in to take on the role for the next two years.
It was then down to Thomas Law to play Peter from 2006 until he departed the role in 2010 when Peter left Walford. When he returned, Ben Hardy took over the role from June 2013 until he left in scenes airing on February 2015. The most recent actor to take the role was Dayle Hudson, who arrived on the Square as the newest reincarnation of Peter in 2020 staying until his final scenes in July 2022.
However, it's now been revealed Peter is back - and he is played by Thomas Law, who was the fourth actor to hold the part.
His return coincides with the arrival of the presumed 'dead' Cindy Beale and her ex-husband Ian Beale, leaving fans stunned to see all three of them back on our screens and he will also make his return to Walford too.
Speaking about his return to the show, Thomas said: "Over the years, I had hoped for a return to the Square although I never thought it would happen so it’s an absolute delight to be back in Walford as Peter Beale. It’s been great to see familiar and new faces, and I can’t wait to explore the character again in the wake of Cindy’s return – it’s an exciting time to return!"
Chris Clenshaw, Executive Producer, added: "I’m thrilled to welcome Thomas back to the role of Peter Beale. Although his time away from the Square has been short-lived, the Beale family dynamics have changed immensely since he last left Walford.
"Viewers will soon learn the details relating to how he came to learn that his mum, Cindy, was in fact alive, and how he and dad, Ian, reconciled their differences. We’re delighted to have him back permanently, but one thing is for certain, the Beale’s comeback will be nothing less than explosive for the Square."
Ian and Cindy have rekindled their relationship in the last year.
"People will question how they are back together. We all know she tried to kill him. It's been 25 years and a lot's changed. Cindy’s a bit of a different woman now. She's been through this whole other life with George, Gina and Anna and not be able to tell them who she really is," Chris revealed ahead of tonight's episode which explained all about what had happened.
