Dramatic new pictures show The Queen Vic pub destroyed in EastEnders after a massive blaze – an event that will leave the Knight and Carter families in peril.
They’re already about to face a traumatic Christmas, with Linda’s (Kellie Bright) alcoholism and the explosive reveal of Junior’s (Micah Balfour) affair with Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) ruining their festive spirit, we imagine that this is the last thing they need!
The epic stunt will undoubtedly herald in new beginnings and final chapters for the residents of Walford, as the BBC soap celebrates 40 years on air in February.
As the infamous pub implodes, a number of lives will be left hanging in the balance.
We’re just hoping that Tracey the barmaid makes it out alive.
Just how the boozer burns to the ground – or who is responsible – remains to be the seen, but thrilling new pictures give us an incredible early insight into the much anticipated anniversary week.
As pictures obtained by Metro show, an almighty explosion will tear through the pub as smoke billows out of its burnt out interior.
A blackened car can be seen crashed into the building and covered in collapsed rubble.
Amongst the dramatic week, a live edition of the soap will play out, with viewers given the opportunity to decide the outcome of one couple’s relationship.
The power is well and truly in our hands!
We’re also anticipating old residents arriving in their masses over the next few months, with both Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) hotly tipped to be putting in appearances.
Ross was even spotted leaving the show’s production base in Elstree, Hertfordshire in the back of a car.
The celebrations have already kicked off in recent months, with fan-favourites Joe Wicks (Paul Nicholls), Mickey Miller (Joe Swash) and Jane Beale (Laurie Brett) all making surprise returns.
Long-term viewers, and those catching up on the episodes via BBC iPlayer’s incredible yearly boxsets, will remember that this isn’t the first time The Vic has seen a flame or two.
Back in 1992, Grant torched the bar to claim back money on the insurance.
He owed £25,000 to a loan shark, and didn’t realise that his then-wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) was trapped inside with her beloved pooch Roly.
Luckily, on that occasion, the only fatality was the ornamental bust of Queen Victoria.
Eighteen years later in 2010 – and to coincide with Barbara Windsor’s exit as Peggy Mitchell – the pub once again met a fiery end.
The matriarch screamed out ‘Let it burn!’ as flames tore through her beloved home, after crack-cocaine addicted son Phil (Steve McFadden) set it alight.
What is it with those Mitchell brothers and fire?
EastEnders continues Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One.
