EastEnders viewers are up in arms, with some “threatening to riot”, over the prospect of Kat and Alfie Moon giving barmaid Tracey (played by Jane Slaughter) the sack from The Queen Vic after an impressive 40-year stint.

In the latest twists of the BBC One drama, Kat (portrayed by Jessie Wallace) took over the iconic pub from long-standing landlady Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and her mother Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe). Alfie Moon’s (Shane Richie) return from Spain brought him the surprise of finding his wife once again pulling pints at their beloved local.

The episode airing on Tuesday (July 29) saw Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier) approach Kat and Alfie for employment, but the couple’s tight finances meant they couldn’t afford additional staff. While scrutinising the pub’s outgoings, Freddie pointed out Tracey’s salary, noting he earns half as much working for Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) at The Albert.

Freddie suggested to Alfie: “Listen, Tracey is getting on a little bit now, she doesn’t want to be serving drunks for the rest of her life, does she?”.

Kat was quick to defend Tracey: “She’s a legend, we would be slaughtered.”, reports OK!.

Freddie then proposed: “That’s why I am thinking less of a firing and more of a ‘thank you very much’ retiring”, leading Alfie to concur that cost-cutting measures were necessary, even if it meant letting Tracey go.

Alfie subsequently offered his resignation to Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) at The Minute Mart, suggesting Tracey could step into the role of shop manager.

However, the plot thickened when Tracey later revealed that despite Ravi’s job offer, she had decided not to take on the new challenge.

“I said no, I love working here” she confided to Alfie as he attempted to persuade her to abandon her longstanding role at the pub.

During a heart-to-heart over a bottle of wine, Kat also aimed to sack Tracey but ultimately granted her a day off and a pay rise, finding herself unable to follow through with the dismissal.

Meanwhile, on X, EastEnders viewers expressed their ‘outrage’ at the thought of Tracey departing The Queen Vic after an era-spanning forty years.

One viewer lamented: “Getting rid of Tracey? Oh no! That would be like the Ravens leaving the Tower. #EastEnders.”

Another fan protested: “If they sack Tracey we riot! @bbceastenders #EastEnders”, while another declared: “All I’m saying is they better not sack ar Tracey #EastEnders.

“No no, you don’t understand, the way the whole nation would’ve been rioting if Kat and Alfie fired are Tracey though #EastEnders”, chimed in a concerned viewer.

“Sacking Tracey would be a death wish. #EastEnders”, yet another added, highlighting the beloved character’s importance to the show’s fans.