EastEnders sees FIRE HORROR lead to shock discovery for the Beales

an is questioned by a journalist in EastEnders

EastEnders will see the Beale family continue to unravel next week...

EastEnders legend Ian Beale will find himself under even more financial pressure next week when a shock fire leads to more money demands.

Peter Beale is set to get an upsetting phone call from Lauren Branning, telling him that her house in New Zealand has been burnt down in a fire.

Peter EastEnders — Peter asks Ian for money but, with Ian's current financial mess, of course the answer is no (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC / Kieron McCarron)

Lauren is determined not to go to her dad, Max Branning (Jake Wood) for help, and begs Peter for some cash to help.

More: How to watch I'm A Celebrity online anywhere in the world

Of course, Peter's first port of call is Ian, but as all EastEnders fans know, Ian's not exactly feeling flush at the moment.

A family secret unearthed

Lauren's fire drama soon leads to a whole host of Beale secrets unravelling when Peter decides to do some digging into Ian's finances.

Peter Beale finds out he's not in Ian's will in EastEnders — Peter does some digging and is shocked by what he unearths (Picture: BBC)

Wondering why his dad can't lend him the money for Lauren, Peter looks on Ian's laptop to snoop.

But he is about to unearth the shocking secret that he isn't included in Ian's will, while his younger brother Bobby, is.

Peter is fuming at the snub by his dad, and takes his anger out on an oblivious Bobby who has no idea what Peter has discovered.

Peter Beale gives Bobby a hard time in EastEnders — Peter and Bobby are shocked by what is in Ian's will (Picture: BBC)

When Peter confesses his discovery to Bobby, the pair make up... but Peter isn't going to let Ian off the hook that easily.

Ian attacked by mystery assailant

It has recently been reported that Ian will be attacked and left for dead soon, leading to a huge whodunit storyline.

And there is no shortage of people wanting to see Ian brought down a peg or two.

Not only is Max at the front of the line after Ian spent his money on buying The Vic for Sharon, but Ian is also set to find himself in trouble with Suki after their shady business deal turns sour.

Suki EastEnders — Ian will soon be left for dead... but is Suki responsible, or someone else in the long list of Ian's enemies? (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC / Jack Barnes)

Also in the queue to teach Ian a lesson are Peter, Kathy, Tina, and even Ben and Phil if they ever find out he was the one to call the police about their classic car heist.

But who will be the guilty one?

EastEnders airs Mondays at 8.05pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.35pm and Fridays at 8.30pm on BBC One - see our TV Guide for full listings.

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off.

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.