SPECULATION is hotting up over which EastEnders characters are killed off when an explosion rips through the Queen Vic.
The huge blast will tear apart the famous boozer as part of the BBC soap’s 40th anniversary episodes this month.
And a vast array of flowers left outside the gutted pub suggests several big names may have died.
Exclusive pics obtained by The Sun also show utter devastation around the building — and a car appears to have rammed into the side of the premises.
It is set to be one of the most sensational storylines in the show’s history.
Over the past few weeks, some of the soap’s biggest names have returned to Walford.
Grant Mitchell, played by Ross Kemp, is to make a comeback in time for the anniversary.
But in keeping with EastEnders, this birthday will not be a happy one.
Bosses are keeping the identities of any deceased under wraps.
But after The Sun last week revealed Natalie Cassidy will be leaving Albert Square after 32 years, her character Sonia Fowler is now one of the favourites to be killed in the blast.
The dramatic anniversary week will start on Monday, February 17, and features a special live episode.
Today, we reveal the ten stars most likely to meet their maker.
Sonia Fowler
Will real killer Reiss blow up the Vic in an act of revenge and kill Sonia Fowler in the process?[/caption]
CLEARED of murdering fiance Reiss’s wife, she is desperate to find out why sister Bianca took the rap.
But will real killer Reiss blow up the Vic in an act of revenge and kill Sonia in the process?
Natalie Cassidy, who plays her, is leaving after all…
Cindy Beale
Cindy Beale has racked up more enemies than lovers[/caption]
WALFORD’S biggest bitch has racked up more enemies than lovers, which is some feat.
She was nearly killed when bashed on the head with a shovel by a mystery attacker at Christmas, and many want her dead — none more so than partner Ian Beale.
Linda Carter
Will Linda Carter’s return spark yet more chaos as she hits the bottle again?[/caption]
THE former Queen Vic landlady is in booze rehab.
But going cold turkey hasn’t worked before, so will her return spark yet more chaos as she hits the bottle again?
She’s got enemies too, especially Bernie Taylor — whose brother she killed in the pub in 2023.
Phil Mitchell
Phil Mitchell has slipped into depression as close family desert him[/caption]
ONE of Albert Square’s longest serving residents has slipped into depression as close family desert him.
Old pal Nigel Bates is back to support him, and he’ll soon be joined by brother Grant.
But will suicidal Phil destroy the Vic with himself inside?
Denise Fox
Denise Fox continues to live a fearful existence[/caption]
ONE of the infamous six involved in the Keanu Taylor murder, she continues to live a fearful existence.
She is set to choose between love interests Ravi Gulati and Jack Branning — and ex-con Ravi has form for bloodthirsty acts of revenge.
Ian Beale
Could this be the moment Ian Beale meets his end?[/caption]
EVEN his wife Cindy has tried to bump him off so could this be the moment he meets his end.
He’s annoyed pretty much every resident over the years.
And since he’s returned following his break from Walford, there’s a far more sinister side to him.
Suki Panesar
Suki Panesar’s evil husband may finally be dead, but her links with him will never go away[/caption]
HER evil husband Nish may finally be dead, but her links with him will never go away.
Now happily married to the love of her life Eve, the fun times don’t last long in EastEnders.
Could one of Nish’s villainous associates come back and kill off his ex?
Ruby Allen
Ruby Allen’s gangster links are never far away[/caption]
BACK on the square and loved up with Martin Fowler, Ruby’s gangster links are never far away.
Her dad was Walford villain Johnny Allen, so could a revenge plot be on the cards?
Or could Stacey Slater take her out for swiping Martin from her.
George Knight
George Knight has not explained his whereabouts at the time ex Cindy was ambushed[/caption]
CAUGHT up in the Cindy drama at Christmas and heavily linked with the attack.
He tried to dispose of the bloody shovel, hiding valuable evidence, and has not explained his whereabouts at the time ex Cindy was ambushed.
Ian Beale would like him gone.
Kat Slater
Kat Slater is another Walford legend with a dodgy past[/caption]
ANOTHER Walford legend with a dodgy past. Could EastEnders bosses kill off one of the soap’s biggest names?
And who would do it? The most likely candidate is bad boy son Tommy.
The teen from hell has been secretly abusing her and terrorising others.
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