Prepare for a dramatic new era on Albert Square, EastEnders fans, as new pictures reveal Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) officially taking over as the formidable new landlady of The Queen Vic! This long-awaited change comes after a series of intense events that have gripped viewers.
As fans of the BBC soap recently witnessed, the cunning Slater clan devised a masterful practical joke on Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) when he proudly announced his intention to buy the famed pub. Stacey (Lacey Turner) took immense joy in making Ian squirm, pretending she had won a whopping £100,000 on a scratchcard.
Initially, the prospect of having such a substantial amount of cash seemed like a distant fantasy for Stacey. However, fate intervened when a man from an insurance company arrived with astounding news: her late ex-husband, Martin (James Bye), had left her precisely £100,000 in his life insurance policy! Determined to secure her family’s financial future, Stacey immediately saw an investment opportunity and hoped that Kat would accept her offer to step back behind the bar as the new landlady.
But just as the auction for The Queen Vic was about to begin, a bombshell was dropped by Kat’s husband, Alfie (Shane Richie). He confessed to Stacey that he desperately needed €50,000 to ensure he could bring his estranged step-daughter, Zoe (Michelle Ryan), back to Walford. Stacey initially agreed to help him, but after a heartfelt conversation with her mum, Jean (Gillian Wright), she had a change of heart. Jean reminded her that her money was best spent on those who had consistently stood by her through thick and thin – her own family.
Determined to secure the Vic for her loved ones, Stacey rushed to deliver the good news to Kat. In a desperate bid to stall the auctioneer from slamming his hammer down, Jean ingeniously set off the fire alarm, sending everyone spilling out into The Square. As the winning bid – placed by a ruthless developer with sinister plans to redevelop The Vic into flats – was on the verge of being accepted, Kat made a dramatic move, informing current owner Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) that she could match the offer.
In yesterday’s emotional installment, Linda began the painful process of packing her bags, taking a reflective look around her beloved home and recalling both good and bad times. Despite the heartache, she knew it was the right decision to make. Kat, understanding Linda’s profound connection to the pub, made a heartfelt promise: she would proudly keep Linda’s late husband Mick’s (Danny Dyer) West Ham scarf on display as a fitting tribute. New images confirm this promise, showing the scarf still wrapped proudly around the whiskey bottles, a poignant reminder of the Vic’s enduring history. Looking down over Kat’s shoulder in the new pictures is a portrait of Peggy Mitchell, an undeniable nod to the most iconic landlady to ever grace the legendary establishment.
