Ian is horrified as Bea’s smear campaign against Elaine takes off in EastEnders

Will it cost him the election?

 2-8 MAY

Consumed by his councillor campaign, Ian is upset to discover that the majority of supporters are voting for Elaine. But as he tries to bribe Harvey, Howie and Mo for votes at the allotment, his efforts fall flat.

When Bea arrives with a solution, a smear campaign video about Elaine, Ian has his doubts.

As Ian and Elaine anxiously prepare for the Walford debate, things go awry when Oscar swaps Ian’s speech. But Elaine steps in to sway his nerves. Mortified, Ian later fumes at Jimmy’s birthday party and permits Bea to post the video.

As Bea’s anonymous video of Elaine gains traction online, Walford is rife with gossip.

Oblivious, Elaine heads to Beale’s Eels to wish Ian well in the final leg of the campaign, and Ian desperately tries to contact Bea to ask her to delete the video.

When Ian finally finds Bea, it’s too late as Elaine has been told about the video by Cindy, and she arrives to confront Ian.

On the day of the election, Bea attempts to get last-minute votes for Ian whilst he tries to reverse his smear campaign. Elaine and Ian attempt to be cordial, but it’s clear Elaine is upset by his actions. Who will claim victory?

EastEnders continues Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One with first look episodes available from 6am on BBC iPlayer