Filming has finally begun on the revamped EastEnders set, with scenes to be aired in spring.
The BBC spent £87 million of taxpayers cash on the new build after the old set was deemed ‘not fit for purpose’ five years ago.
After sparking fury over licence fee payers’ value for money, the new set is finally up and running, with first look images showing the brand spanking new Queen Vic pub, with a fresh lick of red paint.
Brand new: Filming has begun on the revamped Eastenders set, with scenes to be aired in Spring of this year; pictured left: new Queen Vic pub, pictured right: old Queen Vic in 2019
The old set was built in 1984, with the intention of only being used for two years. The new set has been erected right next to the old set, based in Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.
What began as a rubble patch of land adjacent to the show’s original set has been transformed into the fictional East London enclave, after builders returned to work following a disruption prompted by the Covid outbreak and Britain’s subsequent lockdowns.
Many of Albert Square’s most iconic landmarks have been recreated for the new set, including the Queen Vic pub, Mitchell brothers’ mechanics garage, the Beale’s fish and chip shop and Ruby Allen’s night club.
Wow! The BBC spent £87m of taxpayers cash on the new build, after the old set was deemed ‘not fit for purpose’; new set pictured
Looking good: The new set showed the Albert Square and the surrounding houses with a fresh look; new set pictured
First look: The old set was built in 1984, with the intention of only being used for two years; new set pictured
The investment in the BBC’s longest-running TV serial drama enables improves HD experience for the audience and enhanced filming options.
EastEnders production are now able to explore new areas on screen and writers, producers and directors have greater freedom to drive further creativity.
Back in 2018, the BBC was accused of ‘outrageously overspending’ licence fee cash after it emerged that EastEnders’ new set would cost £86.7million.
That was £27million over the original budget – and the project was expected to be nearly five years late.
Finishing touches: Aerial pictures taken in March 2021 showed the revamped version of the Queen Victoria pub close to being finished along with a new parade of shops and the surrounding marketplace that have become staples on the BBC soap
Nearly done! Builders were seen packing up their supplies on the costly project back in March
Vast: What began as a rubble patch of land adjacent to the show’s original London set has been transformed into the fictional East London enclave (pictured in March)
Iconic: Snaps showed the famous Albert Square marketplace surrounded by the houses and flats that have been base for many a domestic dispute on the BBC soap (pictured in March)
EastEnders’ brand new set was first announced five years ago when it was also revealed that the show’s old 1984 set was in poor condition.
According to The Telegraph, ongoing maintenance issues on the old set hampered the show’s filming schedule and presented health and safety concerns.
Projected to be completed in May 2023, the finished build is 17 months early.
Out with the old: The new set has been erected right next to the old set, based in Elstree Studios in Borehamwood; the set pictured in 2015
The new build comes after fans were devastated after it was revealed by The Mirror that Danny Dyer will be stepping down from the soap this year.
A friend of Danny, has said that ‘he feels the time is right to explore other roles’, after he renounced his character of Mick Carter on the show.
Taking to Twitter, fans of the soap were quick to voice their concerns as they claimed that 2022 was off to a disappointing start following his departure.
Revamp: The investment in the BBC’s longest-running TV serial drama enables improved HD experience for the audience and enhanced filming options; the set pictured in 1997
One Twitter user penned: ‘Danny Dyer has really ruined 2022 for me already’ at they attached a crying GIF.
Another added: ‘Danny Dyer quitting the most depressing thing of 2022.’
After the soap saw the return of scheming Janine Butcher, some wondered if she would be the person to take over the legendary Queen Vic pub.
Janine (played by Charlie Brookes) recently shocked Mick with proof that his wife, Linda (Kellie Bright) was drinking again as she made it her mission to end his marriage once and for all.
One fan attempted to predict the plot as she suggested that we could see Mick murdered by Janine, in another of her wicked schemes.
Goodbye: The new build comes after fans were devastated after it was revealed that Danny Dyer – who plays Mick Carter – will be stepping down from the soap this year
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