His character has faced many difficult situations in the fictional Albert Square.
But Eastenders character Ian Beale endures perhaps his most difficult trauma yet when he attends the funeral of his daughter, Lucy.
In an uncomfortable display of raw emotion, actor Adam Woodyatt performs intense scenes for a forthcoming episode of the BBC drama, which will no doubt leave fans moved.
Sad: A distraught Ian Beale leves the church after daughter Lucy's funeral to be consoled by ex-wife Jane
Cold comfort: Ian Beale is clearly devastated at the loss of his daughter - but is supported by his ex-wife
Wearing a black suit with a white shirt, distraught Ian Beale can be seen leaving the church after daughter Lucy's funeral to be consoled by ex-wife Jane played by Laurie Brett.
Breaking down in tears, he holds his head in his hands and weeps.
He can then be seen looking at the flowers in the hearse, which are emblazoned with messages of love, sympathy and support from loved ones.
A father's grief: Ian, played by Adam Woodyatt, struggles to keep it together at the funeral
Long-running: BBC1's Eastenders remains one of the station's flagship shows - and never avoids difficult storylines
Lucy Beale's character has been killed off in a huge storyline for the soap which will keep people guessing as to who is the culprit.
Max Branning – Lauren's father, who is played by Jake Wood – is one suspect after it was recently revealed that he is Lucy's mystery lover.
The revelation is the first twist in a year-long storyline for the BBC show.
Actors Adam Woodyatt and Laurie Brett perform some difficult scenes in a forthcoming episode
Lucy Beale's character has been killed off in a huge storyline for the soap which will keep people guessing
Hetti Bywater, 19, who plays Lucy, reckons her character's obsession with Max is because she's got issues with her own father Ian Beale. Speaking to the Daily Star said: 'She has a lot of problems with her dad. It's almost as if Max is giving her that fatherly support.
'From Max's point of view, the fact it's a secret makes it more exciting but on Lucy's part, the excitement goes away very quickly.
'She doesn't know what her emotions are. The excitement goes when the guilt comes.'
Tempestuous: Max argues with Lucy Beale, shortly before she dies in the BBC1 drama
The troublesome 20-year-old has been murdered a month before rival ITV's Coronation Street stages a bloodbath with barmaid Tina McIntyre, played by Michelle Keegan.
BBC executives are keen to ramp up viewings for the series with insider saying the murder plot is bigger than 2001's whodunnit - when Phil Mitchell was shot pulling in 22 million viewers.
Max Branning: The TV character is mortified when he accidentally causes Lucy to trip
Furious at Ian for not showing an interest in her business, Lucy arrives at the car lot seeking comfort. However, when Max sides with Ian the couple have an argument leading Lucy to trip and bang her head
However, Ben Stephenson - drama boss for the show - said that everybody is a suspect.
'Just about everyone who lives there is a suspect and we are going to use every single cast member in the marketing campaign, which is the biggest we've ever done.
'EastEnders is back to its best and we want everyone to know about it.'
And it's not going to be a swift affair as the storyline is set to run from April 2014 to February 2015 – a whopping 10 months – which ties in with the show's 30th anniversary.
The devastated family arrive for Lucy's funeral. Ian Beale, Peter Beale, Cindy Williams, Christian Clarke, Bobby Beale
End of an era: Lucy Beale, played by Hetti Bywater, 20, will make a dramatic exit at Easter in a gripping storyline
Rita Simons got into character as Roxy Mitchell for the funeral
Funeral wear: Also on set were Himesh Patel and Rakhee Thakrar
John Patridge and Rory Stroud (left) were joined on set by Nitin Ganatra (right)
Rita Simons and John Partridge wait for their cues on set
Himesh Patel, Rita Simons, Rakhee Thakrar and John Partridge on set
Waiting for the cameras the cast get discuss the funeral scene
John Partridge as Christian Clarke is filmed arriving in his car for the funeral scene
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Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2604359/Eastenders-Ian-Beale-distraught-breaks-emotional-funeral-daughter-Lucy.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
