The Beales have suffered through deaths, homelessness and assassination attempts – but the lives of the cast off-screen have been just as explosive

Is there any soap family more iconic than the Beales?

Since EastEnders first hit our screens back in 1985, the Beales have been at the forefront of some of the soap’s most dramatic moments.

Rape, homelessness, kidnapping, assassination attempts, murder – the Beale clan have been rocked by some horrific storylines.

None more so than Ian Beale, who has experienced the heartbreak of losing two children and five failed marriages to four different women.

The Beale kids are known for their ever-changing faces, and last week one former Enders actress admitted she was actually “glad” her character was killed off.

It’s not all been doom and gloom as the Beales have created an empire in Albert Square – with Ian owning the restaurant, cafe, chippy, pub and fruit and veg stall, while mum Kathy runs her own gay bar.