EastEnders reveals first look at Kat Slater as Queen Vic landlady after 12 years

EastEnders have revealed first look pictures of Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) back behind the bar at the Queen Vic for the first time in 12 years.

In the new images, Kat can be seen smiling behind the bar with two West Ham scarfs behind her - which appear to be a nod to her husband, Alfie Moon (Shane Richie).

It's a special place for the couple, who ran the pub together from 2010 - 2013, when the Carters took over. It's also the place they first met in 2002, when Kat worked as a barmaid, while Alfie managed the establishment.

READ MORE: EastEnders fans 'in tears' as Linda Carter makes emotional exit after revealing huge secret

READ MORE: EastEnders fans 'work out Alfie is being scammed' - and it's by someone he knows

Fans were over the moon when it was announced during EastEnders that Kat would be taking over as landlady - but it wasn't looking likely as she failed to even turn up to the auction. The original plan was to loan £100k from Stacey - who had received the lump sum from Martin's life insurance.

However, just as they were about to head to the auction, Stacey received a worrying phone call from Alfie Moon saying he urgently needed 50,000 Euros which Zoe owed people in Barcelona. Stacey then told Kat she couldn't lend her the deposit after all, but later had a change of heart after some words of wisdom from Jean.

As Ian Beale and a developer battled it out in the auction, a frantic Jean set the fire alarm off, meaning everyone had to be evacuated. Linda then announced she'd be selling the pub to Kat, who had turned up in her dressing gown.

Kat was over the moon, as Linda told her to "fill it with love". The move in is set to be imminent as Elaine will be residing at Kat's flat until they find a more permanent place to live, with Kat and the kids moving back to their old home.

Alfie however still has no idea yet that Kat has bought the pub - and Kat still has no idea that her husband is over in Barcelona helping out her estranged daughter Zoe.

It was an emotional moment for Linda Carter on Tuesday night as she left the pub she had lived in since 2013.

She said a tearful goodbye to the establishment, Tracey and her mum Elaine as she hopped into a black cab for a well deserved break on a cruise.

However, fans don't have to fear as Linda hasn't left the soap for good and will be back after an extended break. She hasn't fully left the Vic either, as in an adorable moment, Kat told her she'd leave the picture of Mick on the wall to remember him by.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram,Twitter, Facebook,and Threads.