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!
