EastEnders' iconic pub the Queen Vic could reportedly be closed when the soap starts filming new episodes again next month.

The UK is now taking its first tentative steps out of lockdown after the coronavirus pandemic brought the country to an effective halt in March, with schools set for a phased opening starting from next week.

TV productions also have the green light to restart, paving the way for EastEnders to pick up filming after a three-month enforced break, but the future of pubs and restaurants still remains uncertain.

As a consequence the Vic, which is in the process of being sold by the Carters to Phil Mitchell, might be shut when the new episodes air.

"If the UK's boozers are back in business, the cast will be filming inside the Queen Vic," a show source is quoted as saying by The Sun. "But if the Prime Minister doesn't announce pubs and restaurants can re-open, the soap will reflect that."

EastEnders will resume filming at the end of next June, although the BBC will run out of new episodes before that point, meaning that the soap is likely to take a break of around six weeks from the schedules.