The Queen Vic has undergone a striking transformation following the catastrophic explosion
that reduced the beloved EastEnders pub to ruins during the show’s 40th-anniversary special.
This latest reconstruction comes just four years after the BBC unveiled its ambitious £87 million set overhaul at Elstree Studios in 2020,
ensuring Walford remained a dynamic and evolving backdrop for the long-running soap.
A sneak peek at the revamped Queen Vic was briefly shared online by a pub interior specialist before being swiftly removed.
The leaked images showcased the fresh bar setup and brand-new beer dispensers, hinting at the pub’s grand return.
Another image revealed a subtle yet significant change to the walls,
which had previously been a familiar yellow hue but have now been repainted in a muted khaki-stone shade, giving the pub a fresh yet classic look.
Given EastEnders’ filming schedule, which typically runs eight to ten weeks in advance, viewers can expect to see the Queen Vic back on their screens later this spring.
The dramatic explosion that led to the destruction of the Queen Vic played a central role in the soap’s 40th-anniversary storyline. Viewers watched in shock as Reiss Colwell lost control of his vehicle, crashing into the pub and triggering a devastating collapse. The incident claimed the lives of two characters: Reiss himself, who was crushed by falling debris, and Martin Fowler, a staple of the show for years, who tragically succumbed to his injuries after being pinned under a steel beam.
Despite heroic rescue efforts, Martin’s fate was sealed in an emotional final scene as he shared a heartbreaking moment with his ex-wife, Stacey Slater. Just moments after professing his love for her and proposing, his heart stopped, leaving Stacey inconsolable as she clung to his lifeless body.
The Queen Vic has long been at the heart of EastEnders’ most unforgettable moments. Over the decades, the iconic pub has been the setting for countless dramatic events, including the fiery 2010 storyline in which Phil Mitchell deliberately set it ablaze. That night saw Stacey and her young daughter, Lily, trapped inside before being dramatically rescued. In 2016, another emotional milestone took place when Peggy Mitchell, played by the late Barbara Windsor, bid farewell to her beloved pub for the final time after 16 years as landlady.
The BBC’s 2020 set reconstruction was a major undertaking, designed to bring Albert Square into the high-definition era. The original 1984 set was deemed outdated and no longer suitable for modern filming requirements, prompting the network to replace it with a sturdier, more realistic structure that better reflected contemporary London.
Now, just a few years later, the Queen Vic has once again been revitalized, ensuring that the pub will continue to serve as the beating heart of Walford’s community and drama for years to come. While fans eagerly await its on-screen return, speculation remains high over what fresh turmoil and intrigue will unfold within its newly refurbished walls.
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