EastEnders revealed what has been plaguing Ian Beale last night – and fans aren’t happy about it.
After weeks of dizzy spells, falling asleep in the middle of the day and going to the loo in the middle of the night, Ian was convinced he had cancer.
A visit to the doctor to finally get his test results saw the restaurant owner told he was at “high risk” of type-2 diabetes.
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But instead of being concerned at what he’d discovered, Ian beamed a big smile, chuckled and said:
“That’s such a relief, I thought I was a dead man, I thought it was cancer.”
The doctor didn’t take his reaction too well, bringing him back down to earth by informing him:
“If you leave it unchecked it can lead to blindness, amputation, even coma, I would urge you to take this seriously and make some major changes in your diet and lifestyle before it’s too late.”
Ian promptly went back to Walford, called a family meeting at Beales and announced:
“I wanted to give you the news as a family because I’m going to need everyone’s support.
“The truth is, I haven’t got much time left, unless I make some massive changes.”
As the family looked confused querying what was actually wrong with him, they were relieved as he revealed he was in the high risk bracket for type-2 diabetes.
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Then they quickly all pulled together and set about changing the menu in the restaurant and throwing out all the sugary food in the house to help him change his lifestyle.
Lauren commented to Steven that she felt they were going a bit overboard, and it seems some viewers agreed with her point of view.
@MissLoubs1 tweeted “Ian doesn’t even HAVE diabetes…”
And @rosexdagger said: “Omg trust Ian to make a big deal”.
While @Heathyheat_ added: “Ian Beale is so over dramatic. A big speech to his whole family because he MIGHT have type 2 diabetes”.
Ian doesn't even HAVE diabetes…he is at high risk!! #EastEnders
— Demi Harte♛ (@MissLoubs1) March 9, 2017
Omg trust Ian to make a big deal #eastenders
— Fee (@rosexdagger) March 9, 2017
Ian Beale is so over dramatic. A big speech to his whole family because he MIGHT have type 2 diabetes 'I don't have much time' #Eastenders
— Matt (@Heathyheath_) March 9, 2017
But other fans were seriously unimpressed with Ian’s reaction and the whole portrayal of the condition in the episode.
@bogeyorworse tweeted: “Ian, when I was diagnosed #diabetestype2 I cried all day #eastenders #serious”.
Ian, when I was diagnosed #diabetestype2 I cried all day #eastenders #serious
— Veerle Verbuyst (@bogeyorworse) March 9, 2017
And @tickner_tracey said she was “totally disgusted that your actors laughed with relief that Ian didn’t have cancer only diabetes!Try living with type 1 or 2!”
While @Jackandrea95 added “Bit uncomfortable with the portrayal of #diabetes in #EastEnders tonight”.
#eastenders totally didsgusted that your actors laughed with relief that Ian didn't have cancer only diabetes!Try living with type 1 or 2!
— Tracey Tickner (@tickner_tracey) March 9, 2017
Bit uncomfortable with the portrayal of #diabetes in #EastEnders tonight
— Jack Andrea (@Jackandrea95) March 9, 2017
@SardaranCarol tweeted: “Diabetes isn’t anything to shout about either Ian”.
And @TweetsByDebra added: “Nice way to make light of diabetes”.
Diabetes isn't anything to shout about either Ian. #Eastenders
— Sardaran Carol Ahmed (@SardaranCarol) March 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/TweetsByDebra/status/839940207877238786
“Just made a total mockery of diabetes. Not cool” said @mishmash3002.
And @PurpleFlower126 drew on their personal experiences saying: “Diabetes isn’t something to be relieved about a diabetic coma killed my uncle in his 30s”.
Just made a total mockery of diabetes. Not cool #eastenders
— Mishmash (@mishmash3002) March 9, 2017
Diabetes isn't something to be relieved about a diabetic coma killed my uncle in his 30s #eastenders
— PurpleFlower (@PurpleFlower126) March 9, 2017
Let’s hope the show takes a more sensitive approach as the storyline progresses.