EastEnders’ Bobby Beale makes a shock return – but fans don’t recognise him
BOBBY Beale returned to EastEnders tonight – but it left fans confused with a new actor playing the young murderer.
Clay Milner Russell is the fifth person to play the role of Bobby, who served time in a young offenders institution for killing half-sister Lucy.
He was first spotted in the explosive summer EastEnders trailer but made his full episode debut tonight in a dramatic duff duff moment.
Kathy Beale returned home from her gay club’s opening night to see Bobby, who she’s been sheltering.
Viewers immediately took to Twitter to share their surprise.
One wrote: “Wow bobby beale looks different .”
Another posted: “Why does Bobby Beale look older than me now #eastenders.”
A third said: “Never mind the 6 faces of Ben Mitchell, we’ve gor the 10 faces of Bobby Beale #eastenders.”
A fourth posted: “Bobby Beale has regenerated!!! #eastenders.”
Who else has played Bobby Beale?
Kevin Curran (2003–2007)
Bobby Beale the baby years.
Baby Kevin Curran took on the role of Bobby before he could even speak.
He starred in the role from 2003 until 2007.
Alex Francis (2007–2012)
Bobby Beale: The Toddler years.
After Kevin Curran bowed out of the role in 2007, the soap brought in Alex Francis to play the apple of Ian Beale’s eye.
He stayed for five years before he was replaced.
Rory Stroud (2013–2014)
Rory Stroud took over from Alex when Bobby returned to Walford in 2013.
He only stayed for a year before soap bosses decided to recast Bobby with another actor ready for his murderous storyline.
Eliot Carrington (2014–2017)
Bobby Beale: The murder years.
Actor Eliot Carrington is the face many fans recognise as the definitive Bobby Beale.
He was the one who shocked the nation when it was revealed he had killed his sister Lucy, and caused mum Jane to cover it up out of desperation.
For a long time he had no idea what he had done, thinking Lucy had been killed after he hit her with the jewellery box.
And when he did find out, it didn’t take long for him to return to his killer ways, brutally attacking his mum with a hockey stick and leaving her paralysed.
He was sent to prison and quickly refused to see any of his family, and except for a brief appearance via video chat two years ago when Max Branning threatened his life, he hasn’t been seen in Walford.
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