EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw has confirmed when fans can expect to see the Queen Vic reopen following the explosion that destroyed the pub last week.
The blast led to the deaths of Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) and Martin Fowler (James Bye) and left the iconic boozer in ruins.
At the EastEnders set in Elstree in Hertfordshire, pictures circulating on social media have revealed work is currently underway rebuilding the set.
And now in a behind-the-scenes video detailing how the BBC soap staged the epic stunt, executive producer Chris revealed the pub will reopen its doors on screen in May.
That means we won’t see the folk of Walford gathering in the boozer for at least another two months.
Harriet Thrope, whose character Elaine Peacock co-owns the Vic with daughter Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) and husband George Knight (Colin Salmon), previously revealed her hopes for a dramatic revamp of the pub.
Speaking on EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In earlier this month, she said: ‘I wanted to redecorate this place from the get go. I want it on trend, I want rose gold.’
Colin added: ‘I’d like a jazz bar. I’d like to turn it into Ronnie Scott’s.’
Asked if it was going to be different to what we’d seen before, Harriet replied: ‘No, it will be exactly the same!’
The Queen Vic has remained largely the same since it was refurbished in 2010 following the fire started by Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) that led to the exit of his on-screen mum Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor).
It received minor updates after Mick (Danny Dyer) and Linda Carter took over as landlords in 2013, most notably with the additions of Princess Diana, West Ham and musical theatre artwork on the walls.
