EastEnders fans shocked to discover Ian Beale earns £10k a month and has a whopping £70k in his account

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Hey big spender!

EastEnders viewers couldn't believe their eyes this week after learning that Ian Beale earns £10,000 a month.

While it's known that the chippy, cafe and restaurant owner - who has been played by actor Adam Woodywatt since 1985 - is quite the business man, fans were surprised to discover exactly how much he receives each month.

EastEnders Ian Beale turns up for choir practice

(Image credit: BBC / Jack Barnes)

Eagled-eyed viewers spotted that Ian had £71,000 sitting in his current account  and had taken in £9,584 this month when his bank statement flashed across the screen.

And as it was his personal account and not his business one - which would be expected to have more money in it - it seems Ian could be a lot more well off than many thought.

But fans were keen to pick up that this could all change for Ian, with his scheming ex-wife Mel Owen (played by Tamzin Outhwaite) desperate for cash to pay lawyers to get her murderer son Hunter out of prison.

EastEnders Mel Owen gets a call from Maddie Wright

(Image credit: BBC / Jack Barnes)

Club owner Mel was left furious after agreeing to sell her half of her E20 for £300,000 which was significantly less than what it's worth.

Now, she's seeking a quick cash injection to fund Hunter's appeal.

And after seeing Ian's recent accounts, fans think he might be just the guy to help Mel out of her struggles.

Eastenders Mel Owen Ian Beale

(Image credit: BBC / Kieron McCarron)

Within seconds, fans rushed to Twitter in shock over Ian's bank balance, as they suspected Mel could be planning to 'scam' him.

"Ian Beale earns 1ok a month!" one simply wrote.

"Mel is gonna rinse Ian good & proper #EastEnders,' another said adding a crying with laughter emoji.

A third picked up on his account balance, joking that Mel "takes it with 71,000."

While another joked, "I'd be totally fine with Mel scamming Ian out of his money" with Ian known to have thrown others under the bus in the past to keep his businesses afloat.

You might want to hold onto your pounds Beale, before Mel turns them into pennies!