EastEnders’ Adam Woodyatt first graced Walford as Ian Beale during the BBC soap’s very first episode in 1985 as a fresh-faced 16-year-old. Today, he is 56, and he portrays the self-proclaimed renowned businessman Ian, who has been married five times to four different women and had two failed engagements.

With decades of Albert Square appearances under his belt, fans could be surprised to learn that other cast members are reportedly earning more than Woodyatt. The actor reportedly earns £260,000 a year, while his former on-screen stepdad Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, is said to be taking home £300,000 a year. While Dot Branning star June Brown was once offered a £300,000 contract to remain on the show until March 2018.

However, Danny Dyer, who joined the cast in 2013 as Mick Carter, was the top earner during his tenure. His salary reportedly towered above the rest at £400,000 per year before his 2022 exit.

Despite being paid less than some of his co-stars, Woodyatt’s annual income was topped in 2021 after he joined I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!

Although the sum remains unknown, it's claimed that he was paid a six-figure sum even though he was a late entrant to the Australian jungle.

This came after The Sun reported that his company, XL Management LTD, which he ran alongside his ex-wife Beverly Turner, owed HMRC £139,000 in Corporation Tax last year.

Books for the company suggest that he earned around £2.5 million in two years.

At the time, he applied to have XL Management Ltd, which takes in cash from his acting work, to be voluntarily liquidated.

In 2017, Woodyatt set up Neat Distillery Ltd and launched a range of trendy gins.

However, after saying he had ”quite a diverse list of outlets and distribution from entertainment, bars, fine dining to music clubs,” the business was shut down in 2023 with a reported £13,370 debt.

As well as their firm, the actor founded the company with his estranged wife, and it was among the ventures to be shut down following their “toxic split”.