The Queen Vic has had a grand makeover following a dramatic explosion that reduced the iconic EastEnders pub to rubble in last week’s 40th anniversary special.

The reconstruction comes just four years after the BBC rebuilt the set in 2020 as part of its ambitious £87 million overhaul at Elstree Studios.

The first glimpse inside the newly refurbished pub was shared online by a pub interior company before being swiftly deleted.

One of the leaked images, posted by MorePour – who specialise in fitting drinks equipment in pubs across the UK – showed the pub’s new bar and shiny new beer dispensers.

Another revealed that the walls, previously a familiar yellow, have been repainted in a more muted khaki-stone shade.

The Queen Vic is expected to return to screens later this spring, given EastEnders’ standard filming schedule of 8-10 weeks in advance.

The Queen Vic has had a grand makeover following a dramatic explosion that reduced the iconic EastEnders pub to rubble in last week’s 40th anniversary special 

Last week, viewers watched on in horror as the iconic boozer was devastated by an explosion, bursting into flames and trapping terrified residents inside 

The explosion, which served as the centrepiece of the 40th-anniversary celebrations, saw Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) crash into the pub, triggering a devastating collapse that claimed the life of show veteran Martin Fowler (James Bye). 

Colwell himself also perished, crushed by a bathtub in the wreckage.

Following his heroic attempt to rescue his longtime love Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), he was crushed by a falling beam.

At first, it appeared that Martin had been successfully rescued from underneath the beam, but his heart then stopped as firefighters rushed to try and save him.

His ex-wife Stacey was left in floods of tears as Martin died in front of her eyes just moments after he declared his love for her and proposed.

The heartbreaking episode ended with Stacey hugging Martin’s lifeless body while her screams could be heard by those waiting outside the Queen Vic for news. 

Over the years, the Queen Vic has been at the heart of some of EastEnders’ most memorable moments.

The 2010 Queen Vic Fire Week saw Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) set the pub ablaze, trapping Stacey Slater and her young daughter Lily (Lillia Turner) inside until they were rescued.

The first glimpse inside the newly refurbished pub was shared online by a pub interior company but swiftly deleted after being picked up by a fan page

The reconstruction comes just four years after the BBC rebuilt the set in 2020 as part of its ambitious £87 million overhaul at Elstree Studios

Martin Fowler (James Bye) was tragically killed during the soap’s live episode last week, after being crushed by a beam following an explosion at the Queen Vic 

In 2016, Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Winsdor) made her emotional exit after 16 years as landlady.

Countless break-ups, bar brawls and even murders have played out within its walls, cementing its status as one of British television’s most recognisable locations.

The 2020 rebuild of the EastEnders set was undertaken to bring Walford into the HD era, replacing the original 1984 structure with a more durable and realistic design.

The BBC described the old set as ‘no longer fit for purpose,’ highlighting the need for an upgrade that would extend the fictional East End to better reflect modern London.

Now, just a few years later, the Queen Vic has undergone yet another transformation, ensuring its place at the centre of Albert Square’s drama for years to come.

Over the years, the Queen Vic has been at the heart of some of EastEnders’ most memorable moments so it seemed only fitting that it featured in the 40th anniversary episodes