In a nostalgic throwback to EastEnders, fans have recently been reminiscing about the legendary character Pete Beale, who disappeared from the show 32 years ago. Pete, played by actor Peter Dean, was part of the original cast when the long-running BBC soap launched in 1985. He lived with his wife Kathy and their son Ian, frequently featured in the drama surrounding Albert Square. His storylines included tumultuous moments such as his wrongful accusation of assault against an ex-wife and his turbulent marriage to Kathy, which eventually crumbled after a tragic affair led to both characters leaving the show. The storyline concluded dramatically with news of their death in a car accident, impacting Ian and leading to the naming of his son in honor of Pete.

Recently, 85-year-old Peter Dean re-emerged in public, looking drastically different with a white beard and cap, spotted at a pub reunion. Despite leaving EastEnders under less-than-ideal circumstances—reportedly due to a lack of direction from the writers—Peter has continued acting, appearing in various projects over the years, including cameo roles in comedy series and bio-pics. His last notable appearance was in the 2016 TV movie Nearly New. Reflecting on his departure from EastEnders, Dean acknowledged a disconnect with the creative team that led to his character’s exit, illustrating the challenges faced by actors in adapting to changing storylines in long-running series.

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