The cast and crew of EastEnders have finally moved onto the show’s new £87million set as work begins to tear down the old one.
Workmen were spotted on the old set used for Albert Square on Thursday to begin the long removal process.
As the Queen Victoria Pub was no longer visible, the sign at the front had been removed along with all the foliage.
Old set: The cast and crew of EastEnders have finally moved onto the show’s new £87million set as work begins to tear down the old one
There were boards scattered all over the place, including outside of the Beales Fish Bar and old betting shop. A building that was next to the fictional discount store seemed to be cleared.
Fences were placed near The Argee Bhajee Indian restaurant while there were also several cranes going through the market.
The BBC spent millions on building a brand new set for EastEnders after the old site was deemed ‘not fit for purpose’ back in 2016, and despite sparking fury with the vast sum, will finally appear on screen in the spring.
EastEnders’ bosses revealed their first look at the new set recently as filming began on the location ahead of the broadcast this spring.
Tearing down: The famous Queen Victoria pub looked bare as the sign out front was gone along with the foliage
The new license fee system has finally been launched after furious protests over the value of the licence fees. First look photos show the Queen Vic pub with new red paint.
Built in 1984, the old set was intended to be used only for two years. It is located in Elstree Studios, Borehamwood. The location of the new set was built right beside it.
The original rubble-covered area adjacent to the set was transformed by builders into the East London Enclave. This happened after a disruption caused in part by the Covid epidemic, and Britain’s subsequent lockdowns.
Numerous iconic landmarks of Albert Square have been recreated in the new set. These include the Queen Vic pub (pictured above), Mitchell brothers’ mechanics workshop, Ruby Allen’s nightclub, and Beale’s fish-and-chip shop.
Changes: Workmen were spotted on the old set used for Albert Square on Thursday to begin the long removal process
It’s time to part ways with the past: An abandoned building was spotted next to a fictional store.
Show: Fences were placed near The Argee Bhajee Indian restaurant while there were also several cranes going through the market
The BBC’s longest running TV serial drama allows for a better HD viewing experience and increased filming possibilities.
EastEnders producers are now free to expand their screenplays and writers, directors and producers have more freedom to express themselves.
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.
The BBC was accused of ‘complacency’ over the astonishing £87 million bill for its new EastEnders set in March 2020.
Locations: The BBC spent millions on building a brand new set for EastEnders after the old site was deemed ‘not fit for purpose’ back in 2016
Next: Although the sum is causing fury, the set will finally make its debut in spring.
Production: The old set was built in 1984, with the intention of only being used for two years
The massive build, nicknamed E20 after the soap’s fictitious postcode, went £27 million over budget and was not expected to be fully completed until May 2023, nearly five years late.
MPs stated that BBC managers had failed to manage the construction, and they committed a grave error by failing consider their project management abilities. Public accounts committee stated that they had secured poor contracts, which led to a dramatic increase in costs.
A committee found contract negotiations taking six months longer than expected due to discussions over which bricks would be used for the set. Meanwhile, the corporation spent £50,000 on samples.
MPs also stated they were disappointed by BBC management’s complacency, particularly during the project’s early stages.
Location change: New set was erected next to the original set. It is located in Elstree Studios, Borehamwood.
They also claimed that the BBC had underestimated the complexity and scale of the project. This included how the sets would age so they could either look exactly like what viewers have come to expect or be realistic in new settings.
The set consists of a ‘front lot’ – a brickwork replica of the current set – and a ‘back lot’, which will provide extra locations to ‘better reflect modern East End London’.
EastEnders announced their brand-new set five years ago, when it became clear that the 1984 show set was in bad condition.
The Telegraph reports that ongoing maintenance problems on the set have hampered filming and created safety and health concerns.
Walford: What began as a rubble patch of land adjacent to the show’s original set has been transformed into the fictional East London enclave
As bosses were concerned that filming in HD on the existing set could cause viewers to see plaster and plywood facades, the updated set will enable the crew to shoot the program in HD.
The completed build was expected to be complete in May 2023.
After fans became devastated when The Mirror revealed that Danny Dyer would be leaving the soap, The Mirror has now released the new design.
Danny’s friend, Danny said that after having renounced Mick Carter’s character on the series, he felt the right time was to look into other roles.
Delays: After the disruption caused by the Covid epidemic and Britain’s subsequent lockdowns, builders returned to work
Recreated: 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
New and improved: The updated set will allow the crew to film the programme in HD
Fans of the soap took to Twitter to express their dismay at his departure.
A Twitter user wrote: “Danny Dyer really has ruined 2022 already” and attached a GIF.
An additional comment was added: Danny Dyer’s resignation is the depressingest thing to happen in 2022.
Many wondered who Janine Butcher was to replace the scheming Janine in the soap.
Mick was recently stunned by Janine’s (Charlie Brookes), proof of his wife Linda’s drinking. Linda, who is played by Kelly Bright, made it her mission end Mick’s marriage.
Fan tried to predict the plot when she suggested Janine might have Mick’s murder in another one of her wicked schemes.
Ahead of schedule: Projected to be completed in May 2023, the finished build is 17 months early