First, a quick flashback. Steven Beale first showed up in Walford back in 1989 as Ian’s son, a sweet little lad with a bowl cut. Then, in 2002, the writers decided to kill him off in a car crash, because why not? (Classic soap logic: "He’s dead, Jim.")
But oh no, dear reader – EastEnders loves a resurrection. In 2007, Steven strolled back into Albert Square like he’d just nipped out for milk. Turns out, he faked his own death to escape his mum’s custody. That’s the start of his villain arc, and it only gets messier.
He promptly manipulates his dad, Ian, into thinking he has a brain tumor (yes, again with the fake illness), then tries to kidnap his half-brother, Peter. Classic Steven. You can’t help but laugh-cringe at his audacity.
