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‘EastEnders’ reveals name of Kathy Beale’s new gay bar in first look image

British soap's first ever permanent gay bar set will fling open its doors in the coming weeks.

By Will Stroude

EastEnders bosses have given us our first glimpse of the Walford’s first ever gay bar, which will hereby be known as (drum-roll please…) The Prince Albert!

British soap’s first ever permanent gay bar set will soon be flinging open its doors after viewers saw longstanding character Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) purchase the premises in recent episodes.

A statement from EastEnders producers reads: “Keen to overhaul the bar’s look and name, Kathy deliberates on what to call it and after some inspiration settles on The Prince Albert.

“It’s never plain sailing for a Walford boozer; with both The Queen Vic and the E20 providing backdrops for some of EastEnders’ most dramatic moments. From a simple pint over the head to numerous affair reveals and even murder, Walford watering holes are often very dangerous places.

“As Kathy settles in behind the bar, only time will tell what drama will unfold on the dancefloor…”

The introduction of Albert Square’s cheekily-named LGBTQ venue comes just weeks after EastEnders bosses revealed that the soap would air its first ever LGBTQ Pride parade this summer to coincide with London Pride.

Executive producer Kate Oates had previously revealed plans to introduce a gay bar last year, saying the new set would bring “something really exciting, really fun, really visual and feel really true to multicultural London”.

EastEnders continues tomorrow (30 May) at 7.30pm on BBC One.