EastEnders special: Ian Beale turns 40!

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It's Ian's 40th birthday, and aIthough he's not looking forward to reaching the milestone age, it turns out to be a highly eventful day!
It's Ian's 40th birthday, and aIthough he's not looking forward to reaching the milestone age, it turns out to be a highly eventful day! (Image credit: Dan Goldsmith)

The Walford businessman has some eventful birthday celebrations... EastEnders Ian Beale

It's Ian's 40th birthday, and aIthough he's not looking forward to reaching the milestone age, it turns out to be a highly eventful day!

When we first met Ian, he was a sensitive young boy. Now, as he reaches 40, he's the businessman we love to hate whose only interest is making as much money as possible!

When we first met Ian, he was a sensitive young boy. Now, as he reaches 40, he's the businessman we love to hate whose only interest is making as much money as possible! (Image credit: Dan Goldsmith)

When we first met Ian, he was a sensitive young boy. Now, as he reaches 40, he's the businessman we love to hate whose only interest is making as much money as possible!

His bread and butter is his culinary expertise. He's got his own cafe, a fish and chip shop and his own catering business!

His bread and butter is his culinary expertise. He's got his own cafe, a fish and chip shop and his own catering business! (Image credit: Dan Goldsmith)

His bread and butter is his culinary expertise. He's got his own cafe, a fish and chip shop and his own catering business!

He thought he had really made it in the world when he went to London to visit the Queen…

He thought he had really made it in the world when he went to London to visit the Queen… (Image credit: Dan Goldsmith)

He thought he had really made it in the world when he went to London to visit the Queen…

…though sometimes he acts as if he's Walford royalty!

…though sometimes he acts as if he's Walford royalty! (Image credit: Dan Goldsmith)

…though sometimes he acts as if he's Walford royalty!

So, let's wish him a Happy 40th Birthday and find out what happens to him this week in EastEnders…

So, let's wish him a Happy 40th Birthday and find out what happens to him this week in EastEnders… (Image credit: Dan Goldsmith)

So, let's wish him a Happy 40th Birthday and find out what happens to him this week in EastEnders…

It's Ian's birthday and he's got a present from Jane…

It's Ian's birthday and he's got a present from Jane… (Image credit: BBC)

It's Ian's birthday and he's got a present from Jane…

He opens Jane's present to find it's a leather jacket he saw on Stacey's stall.

He opens Jane's present to find it's a leather jacket he saw on Stacey's stall. (Image credit: BBC)

He opens Jane's present to find it's a leather jacket he saw on Stacey's stall.

Ian is delighted. 'It's the one I wanted!'

Ian is delighted. 'It's the one I wanted!' (Image credit: BBC)

Ian is delighted. 'It's the one I wanted!'

Later, Ian celebrates his birthday with a party in The Vic…

Later, Ian celebrates his birthday with a party in The Vic… (Image credit: BBC)

Later, Ian celebrates his birthday with a party in The Vic…

All the locals are there, but it's not just Ian they have come to see…

All the locals are there, but it's not just Ian they have come to see… (Image credit: BBC)

All the locals are there, but it's not just Ian they have come to see…

Everyone has heard that Ian had a tattoo done on his backside while on a drunken night out. As his guests begin to chant, Ian decides to give them a show!

Everyone has heard that Ian had a tattoo done on his backside while on a drunken night out. As his guests begin to chant, Ian decides to give them a show! (Image credit: BBC)

Everyone has heard that Ian had a tattoo done on his backside while on a drunken night out. As his guests begin to chant, Ian decides to give them a show!

Everyone gets an eyeful as Ian maniacally undoes his trousers and they fall to the floor. His audience are stunned into silence!

Everyone gets an eyeful as Ian maniacally undoes his trousers and they fall to the floor. His audience are stunned into silence! (Image credit: BBC)

Everyone gets an eyeful as Ian maniacally undoes his trousers and they fall to the floor. His audience are stunned into silence!

At home, after the party, Ian gets a show of his own when Jane performs a pole dance – for his eyes only! Watch Ian's 40th birthday celebrations on EastEnders on Friday 27 February.

At home, after the party, Ian gets a show of his own when Jane performs a pole dance – for his eyes only! Watch Ian's 40th birthday celebrations on EastEnders on Friday 27 February. (Image credit: BBC)

At home, after the party, Ian gets a show of his own when Jane performs a pole dance – for his eyes only! Watch Ian's 40th birthday celebrations on EastEnders on Friday 27 February.

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