EastEnders locals ‘dead’ as the Queen Vic explodes – with show legend to blame

A number of EastEnders legends are facing death after The Queen Vic pub exploded in tonight’s episode. It truly is the end of an era, but we have no doubts that soap’s most famous boozer will rise from the ashes. With the show celebrating 40 years on air this week, it was only apt that at least one of the show’s icons should meet a ghastly end… but it seems like the fatalities won’t stop with the pub.

Pretty much everyone is inside, marking Billy and Honey Mitchell’s (Perry Fenwick and Emma Barton) wedding, which we saw in yesterday’s instalment. Amongst the commotion, a drink was spilled onto Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), and she asked Tracey the barmaid (Jane Slaughter) for permission to dry herself off upstairs. Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) – who caught the bouquet – excitedly told her ex-husband Martin Fowler (James Bye) that she wanted to wed again, but he later told Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) that he wasn’t sure whether he shared the same sentiment.

She had her own dilemma, as mum Jean (Gillian Wright) had implored her to confess her own feelings for the Fowler patriarch. Unfortunately, the spark wasn’t shared, and he shut down any chances of a reunion. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. He did, however, tell his other ex-wife (can you keep up?) Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) that he would be happy to play father figure in her unborn child’s life.

This is following the revelation that the baby’s father, Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman), is a cold-blooded killer and is currently on the run. Across the Square, he had returned home and was lurking in the shadows, watching her sister Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) enter the property. Sneaking in through the back door, he placed a ‘new baby’ card on the kitchen table, but his act was overheard by a startled Bianca.

When she went to investigate, he emerged from the under stairs cupboard and asked her to tell Sonia that he’d ‘popped by’. No shame, no remorse. Bianca wasn’t letting him get off scot-free, and charged after him as he attempted to make an escape. It seemed that he wouldn’t get far when his car failed to start, but he soon fired off. An argument between Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) and estranged partner Cindy (Michelle Collins) was ensuing on Bridge Street, following his mum Kathy’s (Gillian Taylforth) confession that she was the one who attacked her on Christmas Day.

A number of locals had exited the boozer – Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), Ross Kemp (Grant Mitchell) and Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) – in pursuit of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden). They’d made the heartbreaking realisation that he was going to attempt to take his own life, and when they broke into his garage, discovered him holding a gun to his head. Around the corner, Reiss’ car broke down again. He furiously pressed on the pedals, and eventually got moving again… just as Cindy decided to finally get her revenge on Ian.

Noticing the car speeding down the road, she pushed Ian in front of it, with Reiss swerving and slamming into The Vic’s barrel store – and straight into several gas bottles. To access the vote, viewers must have a BBC Account. You can register for an account at BBC.co.uk/account, on or before February 19. The vote will officially open at 8:30pm on Wednesday February 19 at BBC.co.uk/EastEnders. It will close at 7:10pm on Thursday February 20, so the result can be incorporated into the live episode, which will broadcast at 7:30pm from BBC Elstree Centre that very evening.

As dust from the impact blew through the pub, a number of residents headed to see what had happened. Landlord George Knight (Colin Salmon) pulled an injured Reiss from the car, but when he turned his back, the killer disappeared. Where has he gone?. Despite George’s initial attempts to bring his neighbours to safety, it became too late. The gas bottles ignited, and a horrific explosion ripped through the entire building.

Parts of the upper floor literally crumbled away, as Ian surveyed the damage. Look what Cindy’s done now!. And who is trapped?. If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. Arrow MORE: Almighty EastEnders crash as killer strikes again in explosive twist.