Eastenders [News, Spoilers and Discussion]

The Queen Vic pub in ‘EastEnders’ will be destroyed in a fire as part of a storyline later this year.
The iconic pub, which has featured in the show since its first episode more than 25 years ago, will burn down in the autumn, according to reports.
It is believed that the dramatic storyline will coincide with the departure of Barbara Windsor, who plays Peggy Mitchell. However, it has not yet been revealed if she will perish in the blaze.
‘EastEnders' producer Bryan Kirkwood recently told Digital Spy that Peggy's exit will be 'both epic and poignant', fuelling speculation that she will die in the fire.
A show source said: "It's set to be a spectacular episode. No-one knows yet if Peggy dies in the fire but they are also writing out a host of other characters, so there is a good chance someone will be killed off when the Vic burns."
A massive 13 cast members are set to depart the soap before the end of the year so it's possible that there will be many casualties in the inferno.
Parts of the 'EastEnders' set, including the Queen Vic, are to be rebuilt as part of the soap's move to HD. 'Coronation Street' bosses have also recently had to make changes to their set for similar reasons.

Sam Mitchell

EastEnders returnees Kat and Alfie Moon will regain Walford's local watering hole The Queen Victoria on their return to the Square.

The show favourites - played by Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie - are expected to make their screen comeback at around the time of the Queen Vic fire.

According to The Mirror, the deliberate blaze - which is also thought to tie in with Barbara Windsor's departure from the soap as Peggy Mitchell - leaves the pub as nothing more than a mere shell and Alfie's first order of business is to rebuild the place from the ground up.

Kat, meanwhile, allegedly reprises her role behind the bar as landlady.

A show source said: "Alfie has big plans for the pub. He managed it for The Duchess for a while when he first arrived in Walford - so he'll soon be back where he belongs with Kat by his side."

They added: "Even though the fire completely guts the place, the bronze bust is one of the only items to survive - it'll still be in pride of place when The Vic reopens."

Show bosses are remaining tight-lipped about their return but a spokesperson said: "We're looking forward to the return of Kat and Alfie later this year."

Kat and Alfie were last seen in Walford on Christmas Day 2005 when they drove off into the sunset together in their Ford Capri bound for America.