It truly is the end of an era in EastEnders next week, when The Queen Vic pub is burnt to the ground.
It’s been at the corner of Albert Square since the late 1800s, but from next week the residents will be forced to find a new boozer to sup pints of Luxford & Copley at.
As long-term viewers will know, this isn’t the first time The Vic has been exposed to an open flame or two.
In 1992, in a bid to claim on the insurance, Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) torched the bar – unaware that his then-wife Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) was trapped inside with her beloved pooch Roly.
18 years later, to coincide with the show’s 25th anniversary and Barbara Windsor’s exit as Peggy Mitchell, crack-cocaine addicted son Phil (Steve McFadden) set it alight.
The exact circumstances surrounding the 40th anniversary blaze remain to be seen, but we do know that lives will be changed forever.
Luckily, the watering hole will get one final swansong when it plays host to Billy and Honey Mitchell’s (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton) wedding celebrations.
It’s not long before Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) interrupts the celebrations and points her finger at the person she believes attacked her on Christmas Day.
In true Cindy style, she then drives the action into full scale chaos and aims a gun at them.
Whilst everything is kicking off, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) makes a heart-wrenching decision that sparks fear in his nearest and dearest.
Yikes.
Elsewhere, Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) debates whether to finally confess her feelings for Martin Fowler (James Bye).
Plus, following a viewer vote, Denise Fox (Diane Parish) will choose between ex-husband Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and old flame Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara).
Love is definitely in the air next week!
One face from Sonia Fowler’s (Natalie Cassidy) recent past also returns – twisted fiancé Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) is lurking in the shadows and plotting a perfect time to get his revenge.
Her sister Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) innocently returns home, and soon comes face to face with him.
She uses this as her final opportunity to give him his just desserts, but as things escalate inside, two events take a horrific turn outside… and the pub goes BOOM!
Who is The Walford Walloper in EastEnders?
Ahead of EastEnders’ 40th Anniversary next month – which will see the reveal of Cindy Beale’s attacker – Metro narrows down the key suspects in the case.
- George Knight: Told his family that he was partaking in an illegal underground boxing match, but also later asked his brother Kojo to back up his alibi. Admitted to Gina that he wasn’t at the fight.
- Elaine Peacock: Enraged that Cindy still had eyes for her husband, she could’ve whacked her through jealousy.
- Gina Knight: Was seen exiting the barrel store – where the weapon was hidden – on Christmas night. She also had a fling with Freddie Slater on the evening.
- Anna Knight: Found the shovel in the barrel store and decided to hide it for fears of her family being implicated.
- Kojo Asare: Was previously manipulated by Cindy, and promised George that he would make it up to him for hiding the affair.
- Junior Knight: Planning to flee the area in the immediate aftermath, could he be furious that the affair hit a dead end and ruined his relationship with his father? He also stole the shovel from the Vic roof.
- Ian Beale: Could’ve been responsible through an angry and jealous rage after the betrayal. He’s also welcomed Cindy back into his home… possibly to cover his tracks?
- Kathy Cotton: Lets face it, she’s never been Cindy’s biggest fan. She’d also do anything for golden boy Ian.
- Lauren Branning: Admitted that she turned over Cindy’s body in the immediate aftermath, but her memory of the night is hazy after taking illegal painkillers.
- Peter Beale: Could’ve attacked his mum over the breakdown in his family, and putting his unborn baby at risk.
- Somebody else?: Big Mo is clearly a Metro reader, as she supported our theory that Bobby Beale could be behind the vicious altercation – despite living in the Cotswolds.
The whole building is moments away from collapsing inwards, with a number of our East End faves trapped inside.
Jack, Ravi and George Knight (Colin Salmon) desperately attempt to clear the outside and extinguish the fire, whilst those on the interior are trying to make an escape route.
Things just get worse when Sonia’s waters break, and she only has a couple of injured neighbours on hand to help.
Unfortunately, somebody won’t make it out alive.
Amongst the devastation, the iconic bust of Queen Victoria lies on the floor, covered in dust. It lives to see another day, and there’s one thing for sure – this isn’t the last we’ve seen of that famous bar.
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