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The EastEnders Christmas Day episode revealed that Ian Beale was none other than his childhood friend Sharon Watts and his longtime rival Phil Mitchell.
Queen Vic’s landlady, played by Letitia Dean, recently married the unpopular chip shop owner after his beating at the hands of the mysterious assailant, but has now been unmasked as the culprit in a shocking twist.
On the surface, Sharon appeared to be very supportive after the attack as she visited Ian, played by Adam Woodyatt, in his hour of need as he recovered in the hospital.
Shocking: Ian Beale’s attackers have finally been revealed to be none other than his childhood friend Sharon Watts and Phil Mitchell
But it was surprisingly revealed in the tense EastEnders Christmas special that she and Phil, played by Steve McFadden, were behind the attack the entire time.
And EastEnders star Letitia, 53, has spoken out about her character’s shocking actions, saying she thinks Sharon thinks ‘Ian really deserved it.’
In the Christmas special, it was revealed that Sharon knew that Ian played a role in the death of his son Denny, as his son had left a voice message on his mobile phone.
While on a boat trip, Denny had been locked below deck by Ian, but the disaster occurred when the ship crashed and filled with water, resulting in Denny’s tragic death.
Speaking about the incident, Letitia explained: ‘Well, I always knew that after what happened on the ship with Denny, that secret would never be forgotten, especially since there are such strong feelings involved.
Attack: Queen Vic’s landlady, played by Letitia Dean, recently married the unpopular chip shop owner after his beating at the hands of the mysterious assailant.
After months of lying and leaning on her best friend while grieving, the only person who was there for her turned out to be the reason for Sharon’s pain. As for Sharon, Ian really deserved it.
“In Sharon’s eyes, it’s a bit of a coincidence that Ian managed to provoke half of Square into murderous rage at the same time, it certainly took the heat out of her and Phil while they were plotting!”
The actress went on to say that Phil and Sharon teamed up in ‘wanting to see Ian pay’ as ‘Ian’s disappearance is the only thing they totally agree on’.
But after Phil withdraws from the plot, Sharon remains determined to get revenge, as the holiday special ends dramatically with her poisoning a Christmas pudding before handing Ian a slice.
Letitia also admitted that while Sharon’s actions were ‘abhorrent’, she has enjoyed ‘getting that side’ of the character in the last story.
Revenge: EastEnders star Letitia, 53, has opened up about her character’s shocking actions, saying she thinks Sharon thinks ‘Ian deserved it’
She continued: ‘It was so much fun to bring out that side of Sharon! Of course he’s being abominable, but I think at this point the audience can see why, especially with everyone else Ian has hurt as well.
As Sharon learns of all of her enemies, her frustrations and anger mount. The irony is that Sharon has kept a big secret the whole time and so have I knowing that Sharon was the one who planned the attack the whole time!
The Grange Hill actress also said that Sharon is ‘suffering a loss’ ‘deep down’ and that her ‘best friend lying’ has overcome her ‘rationality’ as she only seeks revenge.
She explained: ‘She has fought, yes, because although she is determined to get revenge, deep down, of course, she is suffering a loss. The pain and pain of losing your son and your best friend lying about circumstances for so long far outweighs any rationale.
I don’t think he finds it difficult to lie to Ian at all, but it is with other people that the cracks can start to show.
Red clue: On the surface, Sharon seemed supportive after the attack when she visited Ian, played by Adam Woodyat, in his hour of need while he was recovering in the hospital.
“Obviously Ian being Ian, he has managed to anger many others in the last few months and anyone could have taken matters into his own hands.”
Speaking more generally about filming the scenes with the EastEnders legend, Adam Woodyat, 52, enthusiastically said that he “adores” the talented actor and considers him a “family.”
Letitia said it has been “a pleasure” to shoot more scenes with Adam, but also said she feels “so lucky” to be able to work in the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
She continued: ‘Everyone knows that I adore Adam, we are like a family so it’s been a joy. It broke my heart to see Ian come to terms with the fact that he might not make it and that he plays the horrible side of Ian, so it’s been a challenge too.
‘Not to mention the safety precautions and restrictions we’re working with now plus such a great story, but everyone on the show has worked so hard to make the show look as good as it does, it’s a privilege to be a part of.
EastEnders Family: Letitia said it has been ‘my pleasure’ to film more scenes with Adam, but also said that she feels ‘so lucky’ to be able to work in the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“We all feel so lucky to be able to continue working at this time as well.”
Following the tense storyline, Adam will temporarily leave EastEnders in 2021 to star in Peter James’ stage production of Looking Good Dead.
The identity of Ian’s assailant has remained a closely guarded secret until Christmas, and the BBC soap opera shed many false leads.
A source previously said: ‘People are lining up to sink Ian’s head. When it comes to EastEnders legendary characters, Ian is among the best, so this story will leave viewers in shock.
“He has no shortage of enemies, so exactly who attacked him and left him for dead will be the focus of the next few weeks.”
Hiatus: Following this tense storyline, Adam will temporarily leave EastEnders in 2021 to star in Peter James’ stage production of Looking Good Dead.
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