The last week has seen the return of Steven Beale, after pretending to be his dead mother (Cindy) and stalking Ian. Here is some background information for those of you who cannot remember his history. Born in 1989, Steven was the result of an affair between Cindy Beale and Simon Wicks.

At the time, Ian was married to Cindy, who persuaded him that he was the father of Steven. Ian eventually found out the truth about Steven, resulting in Simon and Cindy eloping. Ian and Cindy got back together, and Ian brought Steven up as his own son. In 1993, the couple had the twins, Peter and Lucy. However, Cindy’s mischievous ways returned, and she had an affair with Simon’s brother, David Wicks.

Cindy hired a hitman to shoot Ian, and snatched Peter and Steven. Lucy was left behind, but a year later Ian tracked Peter and Steven down and kidnapped them. Cindy returned to fight for custody, and won. However, she was then imprisoned for attempted murder. In prison, she died during the childbirth of Cindy Junior (being looked after by Gina, as we have seen over the last couple of weeks).

Ian went on to date (and marry) Melanie Healy, but the relationship was doomed after Ian lied that Lucy was terminally ill. Later, Ian married Steven’s nanny, Laura Dunn. Steven caught Ian kissing Janine Butcher, and eventually told Laura during a row. After a split, Ian and Laura got back together, but the relationship was troubled.

Steven began to write vicious letters to people, particularly aimed at Janine. Laura was suspected, and when Ian confirmed his suspicions of her, she threw Steven’s bag at Ian. Letters fell out, and Ian confronted Steven. Steven overheard Ian shouting that he was ‘Cindy’s little brat’, and Ian confessed that he was not Steven’s real father. Steven moved to New Zealand to live with his real father, Simon. Doesn’t that just make you want to watch all the old classics again?