As of 2021, Ian has been on the show for 36 years. He is the most-married character in "EastEnders" history, with six marriages to five women (Cindy Williams, Mel Healy, Laura Dunn, twice to Jane Collins, and Sharon Watts) and two aborted engagements (to Mandy Salter and Denise Fox). Ian is the current owner of 45 Albert Square, traditionally represented within the series as the family home of the Beale and Fowler family, and in 2020 he bought The Queen Victoria pub for Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).