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BEALE ON WHEELS

EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt looks a world away from Ian Beale as he poses in campervan home

EASTENDERS legend Adam Woodyatt looked worlds apart from his on-screen alter-ego Ian Beale as he enjoyed a campervan stay in Dorset.

The actor is enjoying a prolonged break from the soap, which he has starred in for 35 years.

Adam Woodyatt looks refreshed on his extended staycation
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Adam Woodyatt looks refreshed on his extended staycationCredit: Instagram

Adam has grown a salt and pepper beard since stepping away from filming, and he looks refreshed.

Updating his Instagram followers on his trip, he wrote: ";Had a great time cycling and walking in Dorset. Now off on my travels again, I’ll let the Duck decide where.

"(Some funny name suggestions from previous post but I still haven’t named the Duck.)"

The actor's character Ian Beale is usually clean shaven
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The actor's character Ian Beale is usually clean shavenCredit: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes

Sitting behind the wheel of his Burstner motorhome, Adam smiled in a red T-shirt.

His fans suggested he name the duck after his EastEnders wife Sharon, while others joked it should be called "crispy".

Over the weekend Adam posed in a trilby hat, and sunglasses - with his big bushy beard on display.

The 52-year-old actor is currently is on the road after splitting from his wife of 22 years, Beverley Sharp.

Adam looked unrecognisable in his stand-out hat and shades
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Adam looked unrecognisable in his stand-out hat and shades

He enjoyed a beach stroll on the south coast, taking a selfie to mark his "staycation".

Adam shocked fans when he debuted his new beard on social media last month, with the actor's onscreen alter ego nearly always clean shaven.

He debuted his big bushy beard last month
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He debuted his big bushy beard last monthCredit: Instagram / Adam Woodyatt

Embracing his 10-month sabbatical from EastEnders, Adam appears to be completely overhauling his image while exploring the country.

He regularly shares snaps from his regular bike rides, having taken up cycling after co-star Jake Wood helped him reach his fitness goals.

Adam recently revealed that he'd bought a four-wheeled home ahead of UK tour of an upcoming play.

After the show's start date was delayed from January to July, Adam decided to use the extra time to explore - adding that he bought the motorhome to avoid having to stay in hotels while working.

Adam split from his wife Beverley in 2019
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Adam split from his wife Beverley in 2019Credit: @adamwoodyatt/Instagram
He's making the most of his down time as he enjoys a break from the soap
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He's making the most of his down time as he enjoys a break from the soap

Adam confirmed the end of his marriage last August, with a rep for the actor revealing they had decided to separate the previous year.

The couple, who wed in 1998, have grown-up children Jessica and Samuel together.

Adam is EastEnders longest-serving cast member after joining the soap for its very first episode in 1985.

He was last seen on screen in January, with his character Ian wandering away from Walford in a daze after best-friend-turned-wife Sharon tried to murder him.

EastEnders has surprise cameo from Adam Woodyatt’s son Sam, 23, as Ian Beale's arresting officer
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