| Bobby Beale | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| EastEnders character | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
&sq=crain_ford&lang=en&file=File:BobbyBealeRussell.jpeg) Clay Milner Russell as Bobby Beale (2019) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by |
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| Duration | 2003–2017, 2019–2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | Episode 2557 24 July 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | Episode 6982 19 September 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by |
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&sq=crain_ford&lang=en&file=File:Bobby_Beale_Eliot.jpg) Eliot Carrington as Bobby Beale (2016) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Bobby Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, who made his first appearance in episode 2557, originally broadcast on 24 July 2003. The character was originally played by Kevin Curran as an infant. Prior to his introduction, Bobby's paternity is at the centre of a storyline and is resolved when Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) is revealed as Bobby's father. His mother, Laura Beale (Hannah Waterman), is killed off in 2004 and Bobby's stepmother, Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), later adopts Bobby. Curran was replaced by Alex Francis in 2007. Following Jane's departure, Bobby finds a mother figure in Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton) and is upset when she leaves.
When Francis decided to concentrate on his schooling, the character was recast again, with Rory Stroud in the role. Producers decided to recast the character again in 2014 and the character did not appear for six months to aid this transition. When he returned, Bobby was portrayed by Eliot Carrington. Bobby was placed at the centre of the "Who Killed Lucy Beale?" story following his return and was later revealed to be the killer. The story continued until show bosses decided to write out the character, while he was in prison. Bobby departed in episode 5303, first broadcast on 17 June 2016. Carrington reprised the role in 2017 for a cameo appearance in episode 5582, originally broadcast on 17 October, as part of Jane's exit from the series. The character's return was confirmed in April 2019, with the role recast again, to actor Clay Milner Russell. He returned in the second episode broadcast on 13 June 2019. In April 2024, it was announced that Milner Russell had decided to leave the soap after five years. His exit aired on 19 September 2024.
Following his return, Bobby's storylines have included exploring the Islamic faith, being bullied by Dennis Rickman Jnr (Bleu Landau) which leads to his being hospitalised in a racial attack, a feud with his older brother Peter Beale (Dayle Hudson), being infatuated with Dotty Cotton (Milly Zero), becoming a suspect in his father's attack, a relationship with Dana Monroe (Barbara Smith), a friendship with Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier), falling in love with Anna Knight (Molly Rainford), unaware that she is Lucy and Peter's half-sister, a feud with Peter and Anna's mother Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), being involved in a love triangle with Anna and Freddie, and discovering that Anna had aborted their child, leading to his departure from the square.