Peter Beale
Soaps

EastEnders viewers divided as Peter Beale returns with new face

Dayle Hudson is now playing Ben

By Charlotte Rodrigues

Viewers of EastEnders have been left divided as Peter Beale has returned with a new face.

In last night’s episode of the soap (Tuesday February 18 2020) Peter’s half-brother Bobby was attacked and left needing surgery.

Although Ian and Kathy were at the hospital with him, Ian received a text from Bex telling him who was behind Bobby’s online abuse.

Later Kathy received a strange call from her other son Ben and had to leave the hospital, so she called someone to come and be with Bobby.

Peter is back! (Credit: BBC iPlayer)

Peter arrived and tried to get in to see his brother but was told only family were allowed.

As it revealed his face, he told the nurse: “I am family. I’m his brother, Peter Beale.”

Viewers had a mixed reaction to Peter’s return. Some were excited to see the character back in Walford.

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Others weren’t happy that he returned with a new face, calling him an “imposter” and comparing him to Doctor Who, who has been played by thirteen different actors.

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Last year it was announced the character Peter would be returning played by new actor Dayle Hudson.

Dayle is the seventh actor to take on the role.

Peter was played by Francis Brittin-Snell from 1993 until 1996. Alex Stevens then played Peter from 1997 until 1998 before he was recast again.

Joseph Shade was the actor who has played Peter the longest from 1998 until 2004. In 2004 James Martin took on the role and in 2006, Peter was recast again with Thomas Law taking on the role.

Peter Beale and Lauren Branning on EastEnders (Credit: BBC)
Thomas Law played Peter from 2006 until 2010 (Credit: BBC)

In 2010, Peter left Albert Square and returned in 2013 played by Ben Hardy. Peter left Walford again in 2015.

Welcome back Peter Beale!

Previous Peter actor Ben has gone onto appear in Hollywood films including X-Men Apocalypse and Bohemian Rhapsody.

He recently starred in Netflix film 6 Underground alongside Ryan Reynolds and Dave Franco.

During Ben’s time playing Peter, the character was left heartbroken in 2014 when he discovered his twin sister Lucy had been murdered.

Peter Beale in EastEnders
Ben played Peter for two years (Credit: BBC)

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The following year, for the show’s 30th anniversary week, it was revealed his half-brother Bobby, who was 10 at the time of Lucy’s death, was the one who killed her.

Peter’s stepmother Jane had covered for Bobby and moved Lucy’s body to Walford Common and Bobby didn’t know he was the one who killed his sister.

Peter left shortly after finding out who killed Lucy (Credit: BBC)

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Eventually Bobby learnt that he was the one who killed Lucy and after attacking Jane, he confessed all to the police.

Learning the truth, Peter made the decision to leave London for New Zealand.

Are you glad he’s back?

EastEnders airs Monday and Friday at 8pm and Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One.

Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!

Charlotte Rodrigues
Soap Contributor
Charlotte Rodrigues joined Entertainment Daily in April 2018, as Audience Engagement Executive. A huge soap fan, Charlotte then became Senior Soap Writer, delivering the latest storylines and spoilers to our followers.

Related Topics

EastEnders