EastEnders fans think they've worked out the next owners of The Vic

EastEnders fans seem to be convinced that the Queen Vic is going to undergo a change of management soon, with a certain group of characters rumoured to be taking over from Alfie Moon and Kat Slater.

The soap hasn't announced that the Vic will be changing hands again, but the flashforward episode didn't feature Kat and Alfie at all, while the pub itself was all boarded up.

It's something we at Digital Spy noticed when the episode aired, and fans think that a certain moment this week isn't only hinting at a change in management, but also setting up who could be taking over.

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In Thursday's episode, Gemma and Rose Hawkins paid a visit to The Vic, with Gemma showing an interest in the venue and barmaid Tracey.

That caused Rose to reminisce about how her late husband, who is Gemma's dad, always wanted to run a pub but never got the chance, much to Gemma's surprise.

The duo also talked about how they needed to move out of Nicola Mitchell's house soon as they were getting under her feet. Is this all foreshadowing?

"So is that them hinting at the Hawkins owning The Vic eventually?", pondered one fan, while another said, "The Hawkins are definitely buying the Vic by Xmas".

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"It feels really likely they are going to put the Hawkins in the Vic by NY," a third wrote. "Their promo pic even has the Vic in the background."

One fan was super keen for it, writing: "Usually I have loved when Kat and Alfie own the Vic but there's been something oddly missing about this time. I think the nostalgia has worn off. The Vic needs a new family to take it over and I'm very game for the Hawkins to do it."

One thing that's definitely happening with the Hawkins clan is Ned showcasing his dark side to raise the cash to save Harry's Barn, but Nicola would rather lose the venue than accept his money. But will she change her mind?

EastEnders airs on Mondays-Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

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