Aaron Sidwell to reprise EastEnders role

Aaron Sidwell is to reprise his role as troubled Steven Beale, the son of Simon Wicks and Cindy Beale.

The Irish Examiner Newspaper reports that ‘Aaron Sidwell is returning to EastEnders as Steven Beale in an explosive new storyline.’ The publication notes that no details have been released yet from BBC Elstree on why or how the character will return to Walford however the character was last seen in 2008 after causing months of misery for some of the residents of Albert Square.

Aaron played Steven from 2007 through to his final scenes eight years ago. The character was first portrayed by Edward Farrell from 1989 to 1990, Stuart Stevens from 1992 to 1996 and Edward Savage from 1997 to 2002.

The christening of Steven Beale: Nick Berry as Simon, Letitia Dean as Sharon, Edward Farrell as Steven, Michelle Collins as Cindy and Adam Woodyatt as Ian

“Being the son of Cindy, he had to be a little unhinged. The creation of an affair with one time Queen Vic barman Simon Wicks, Cindy’s hubby Ian didn’t find out he wasn’t daddy dearest until 1990.

 

“The character of Steven didn’t really, really, do much storyline wise until much later when he went off the rails and sent out a load of poison pen letters; with the equally dysfunctional Janine getting the blame in the early 2000s. This occurred after Steven caught Janine and Ian kissing during her prostitute phase.

 

“However, his most notable storylines came during his ‘goth era’ with Aaron in the role when he came back to stalk Ian, locking him in a flat with nothing but Jacobs crackers to eat.” – TV Critic Vivian Summers

Before a decent storyline: The young Steven Beale

Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) was left cream cracker-ed by Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell) nine years ago

After sending out hate mail in 2002 the character was written out, being dispatched to live with his biological father Simon Wicks (Nick Berry) in New Zealand. He returned five years later, once again with letters on his mind. This time he posed as his late mother Cindy Beale (actress Michelle Collins) sending out letters to the Beale family ‘from beyond the grave’.

Other memorable storylines saw the troubled young man attempt suicide on  more than one occasion, attempt to smother his grandmother Pat Butcher (Pam St. Clement), accidentally shoot Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), try to seduce Jane’s brother Christian (John Partridge) –  those scenes included getting the EastEnders viewers extra hot under their thermal knickers by flashing his bum and have a short-lived relationship with Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner) whilst struggling with his sexuality.

Other cast members set to return include John Partridge as Christian, Lynda Baron as his and Jane’s mother, Linda Clarke and Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning. The Beale family are currently covering up the fact that Bobby (Eliot Carrington) killed his sister Lucy (Hetti Bywater), while Lucy’s former lover Max Branning (Jake Wood) is currently in prison for the crime.

In the clip below Ian discovers ‘Cindy’ is actually Steven – without the aid of dragging up…