Can you believe it's been over 35 years since the first ever EastEnders episode aired?
We're almost four decades, about 76 fires and 634 affairs into the show, and Ian Beale actor Adam Woodyatt's seen it all; being a staple of Albert Square since the very beginning.
Yup - Adam played (then young teenager) Ian in the first episode back in 1985; and the I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! 2021 star looks totally unrecognisable in throwback pics from way back when.
Since it's been 36 years since Adam signed up to take on the role of Ian, and the actor shared a black and white snap to commemorate his time on the show.
"29th October 1984 was the start of my first contract with @bbceastenders.
"36 years later, three of us are still dancing and messing around outside the Queen Vic," he wrote on Instagram.
His co-stars and fans were loving it, with Lacey Turner (who plays Stacey Fowler) writing, "This is amazing ❤️".
Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler, said, "I love this SO much. ♥️".
One fan commented, "It's a huge achievement mate, I'm sure you are immensely proud !! You're essentially an institution 😉".
Another added, "Fantastic! I remember the excitement when it was building up to start and it’s amazing you’re still there 36 years on - incredible Adam well done to all involved x".
Over the years Ian Beale has been involved in some huge storylines including marrying Cindy and Mel, suffering from a nervous breakdown, covering Bobby's killer secret and more recently he was responsible for Dennis Rickman's death.
Check out: who's leaving Albert Square this year?
Who's leaving EastEnders this year? - SLIDER
1 of 7Michelle Fowler (played by Jenna Russell)
She only returned at Christmas in 2016 butMichelle Fowler is set to leave the show later this year.After having a relationship with her 17-year-old student in America, being disowned by her family and stalked by a guy she met on the train, EastEnders boss John Yorke has decided that Michelle's time on the square has come to an end.
2 of 7Vincent Hubbard (played by Richard Blackwood)
After spending three years in Walford, Vincent Hubbard is set to leave the square later this year.After seeing his last storyline, Richard Blackwood and BBC bosses decided it was time for him to leave the show.Speaking to Digital Spy, he admitted: "I have been truly blessed with some great storylines since the moment I joined, but when I was presented with my last story, I knew it was time for Vincent to depart Walford."We wonder what will happen with Vincent and his onscreen wife Kim Fox.
3 of 7Mitch Baker (played by Roger Griffiths)
Keeegan Baker's dad Mitch Baker has only just rocked up in Walford but he's already set to leave soon. Despite his brief appearance in EastEnders it's clear he's trouble for the Taylor family.Speaking about his time on the BBC One show, Roger (who plays the newbie) admitted: "I had a brilliant time and the actors who make up the Taylor family made me feel at home instantly. It was love at first sight."
4 of 7Johnny Carter (played by Ted Reilly)
There will be a departure from Walford in 2018 when Linda and Mick Carter's son Johnny bows out of Albert Square.Since that gas explosion earlier this year there's been a lot of speculation that he will be leaving Walford and now it's been confirmed. A spokesperson for the BBC show has said: "We can confirm Ted has finished filming with EastEnders and wish him all the best for the future."His departure is due to air in 2018 but bosses are keeping his exit top secret.
5 of 7Fi Browning (played by Lisa Faulkner)
Fi Browning, who has been secretly working for Weyland & Co, the company owned by her father, has been planning to take over the businesses of the entire Square... this can only end badly.Actress Lisa Faulkner confirmed Fi's departure from the BBC1 soap and told the Radio Times, ''We were always clear that there would be a beginning, middle and end – Fi was coming in to do a job. She was never going to be a new regular living on the Square and I have absolutely loved it."
6 of 7Lauren and Abi Branning (played by Jacqueline Jossa and Lorna Fitzgerald)
The Branning sisters are leaving the soap December 2017, which has 'epic Christmas day episode' written all over it. Lauren and Abi, who have starred in the soap for ELEVEN YEARS (though Lauren was originally portrayed by Madeline Duggan) and the pair have been enrolled in all sorts of storylines including alcoholism, blackmail, murder and shock pregnancies... just another day in Walford, eh!Soap bosses confirmed the sisters will be saying bon voyage to The Square and said, 'We can confirm that Jacqueline and Lorna will be leaving EastEnders. They have both been wonderful to work with and we wish them all the best for the future.'Their exit promises to be 'dramatic' and 'one of the biggest on-screen moments of the year'. Exciting!
7 of 7Ben Mitchell (played by Harry Reid)
He may be a legacy character, but Ben Mitchell is another EastEnders favourite who hasn't dodged the new producer's axe. It's been confirmed that Ben will be written out in a big storyline that's expected to air towards the end of this year.An EastEnders spokesperson told Digital Spy: "We can confirm that Harry will be leaving EastEnders. Harry has been a great addition to the cast and we wish him all the best for the future."
Read more news:
Hollyoaks: everyone leaving, arriving and returning to the village
This all comes as Adam opens up about Ian Beale's future on the soap.
Chatting to camp mates in the I'm A Celeb castle, Adam revealed his extended break from EastEnders came with the blessing of soap bosses as he accepted a role in the play Looking Good Dead.
He said, "I just had another opportunity. This play came up," he said. "I just fancied doing something different. The way the storyline is, they needed me to take a break. Yeah...the break’s just got longer."
And while Adam remained coy about a return to Walford, he did tell co-star Kadeena Cox, "I'm available as of April."