The Beale family in EastEnders are one of the show’s most iconic clans – there have been Beales in Albert Square since the very first episode back in 1985.
But we’re not going to lie – the current bunch are particularly complicated with their links to just about every other family in the Square.
And not just one but TWO members who returned from the dead!
And now Bobby Beale is locking lips with Anna Knight and some of the EastEnders fans are really confused about whether they’re related…
So to help, here’s our guide to the Beale family tree – or the ‘family forest’ as viewers have been calling it on social media!
The oldies
Way back when EastEnders first started, the Beale matriarch – Lou – ruled the roost. Two of her many children also lived in Walford – twins Pauline and Peter.
Lou lived with daughter Pauline Fowler and her family – husband Arthur, and kids Michelle, Mark and Martin.
Pete, his wife Kathy and son Ian were also close by. As well as Pete’s sons, Simon Wicks and David Wicks, by ex-wife Pat.
And then the family started to expand…
The next generation
Teenager Michelle shocked everyone when she got pregnant and had daughter Vicky – whose dad was older man Den Watts.
Then Ian met Cindy Williams and it all kicked off!
Cindy’s kids
Right, this is where things get a bit complicated, so pay attention!
Cindy arrived in Walford and started a romance with Simon Wicks – Ian’s half-brother. But she got fed up with his womanising ways and dumped him. Instead she and Ian got together.
A brief rekindling with Simon, though, left Cindy expecting baby Steven – she let Ian believe the tot was his and they tied the knot.
Obviously nothing stays secret for long in Soapland, and Ian soon found out. Cindy left Walford in shame.
More kids!
A couple of years on, Ian forgave his cheating wife, they got back together and had twins Peter and Lucy.
It wasn’t all hearts and flowers thought – in fact, just the opposite! The Beales were soon at each other’s throats again, and worried Ian would take the kids if they split, Cindy hired a hit man to kill him!
Clearly, that didn’
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