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.

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The huge blast is set to tear apart the soap’s famous boozer The Queen Vic

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A vast array of flowers left outside the gutted pub

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The explosion is set to be one of the most sensational storylines in the show’s history
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.

Read more on EastEnders

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.

EastEnders’ Cindy Beale finally works out who attacked her at Christmas – and it’s an old foe

Sonia Fowler

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Will real killer Reiss blow up the Vic in an act of revenge and kill Sonia Fowler in the process?Credit: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
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

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Cindy Beale has racked up more enemies than loversCredit: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
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

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Will Linda Carter’s return spark yet more chaos as she hits the bottle again?Credit: BBC / Kieron McCarron
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

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Phil Mitchell has slipped into depression as close family desert himCredit: BBC
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

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Denise Fox continues to live a fearful existenceCredit: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
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

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Could this be the moment Ian Beale meets his end?Credit: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
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

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Suki Panesar’s evil husband may finally be dead, but her links with him will never go awayCredit: BBC / Kieron McCarron
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

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Ruby Allen’s gangster links are never far awayCredit: BBC
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

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George Knight has not explained his whereabouts at the time ex Cindy was ambushedCredit: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
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

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Kat Slater is another Walford legend with a dodgy pastCredit: BBC
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.