'EastEnders': Homeless Ian Beale Bumps Into Lauren Branning (PICTURES)

FIRST LOOK: Homeless Ian Beale Is Rumbled

Ian Beale's much-mooted return to EastEnders has been previewed in more photos released by the BBC soap.

The snaps show businessman Beale's shocking transformation into a tramp, which fans previously got a peek at last month.

The four-times-married Albert Square stalwart has been away from the Square for several weeks, and it transpires he has been sleeping rough following a number of strain, including his marriage breaking down and financial woes.

The photos capture the moment Ian returns to Walford and comes face-to-face with Lauren Branning, doing voluntary work with homeless people.

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As his daughter's friend Lauren looks shocked at who she's spotted, Ian puts his head down in an attempt to avoid his former neighbour.

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EastEnders will air Ian Beale's return on Thursday 31 July at 7.30pm on BBC One.

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