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Adam Woodyatt interview

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Adam Woodyatt interview

Adam Woodyatt is now the only remaining cast member to have been on EastEnders since the show started way back in 1985 (without taking a break, that is).

In fact, Adam made his 2000th appearance as Ian Beale on the 26th March, 2007. We had a chat with the soap star about life in Walford and Ian's many ups and downs...

Did you want to act from a young age?

It started when I was nine. There was a kid in my class who was in a commercial, and I thought it sounded like fun. You got to be on TV, you got days off school and you got paid as well - fantastic!

Was the cast expecting success when EastEnders started?

I was too young and naïve to think about what was going on and what could happen. Some of the older members of the cast hoped it would be a success, but I don't think anyone imagined it would take off in the way that it did.

Having played Ian for so long, how much of a blurring is there between him and you?

The difference has actually gotten greater as the years have gone on. I've become calmer and mellower, and he seems to have gone the other way. There are bits of me in him, but it tends to be the funnier moments.

Is Ian more fun to play when he's being bad?

Yes, but I have to be careful I don't slip into "bitch mode" too often. It's very easy to say the lines nastily, but every now and again I have to think - hang on a minute, I need to lighten up a bit or he's going to be too bad.

Which ex-cast member do you miss the most?

Todd Carty. I was absolutely gutted when he left. Everyone loved Todd, and it's great to see that he is doing so well for himself now as he's such a good bloke.

Ian hasn't had much luck with women but who's been your favourite ex of his?

Oh, I don't know. He's had three wives, so that's not bad going. I don't know how he does it to be honest. The way he talks to them is dreadful. But it would be unfair to pick, I've enjoyed working with all of them and have good memories of each one.

Cindy was Ian's first sparring partner. Were you disappointed she didn't return?

That had pretty much run its course. There wasn't much coming back from when she tried to have him shot. On top of that she died in childbirth – she didn't fall in the canal. A canal "death" we can get away with.

Will Ian ever live happily ever after?

This is soap, so it would be pretty dull and boring to live happily ever after. I imagine there'll be more ex-wives - I don't know what the world record is but I'm pretty sure he'll get close. He likes wedding cake too much.