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Queen Vic pub joins EastEnders' 40th celebrations

Danny Fullbrook
BBC, Essex
James Burrell-Cook James Burrell is wearing a floral shirt and a florla tie with a black blazer. Behind him in the pub is the gold bust of Queen Vistoria.James Burrell-Cook
Landlord James Burrell-Cook: "I'm not a Pat Butcher, Peggy Mitchell or a Frank."

A bust of Queen Victoria has visited a pub that shares its name with EastEnders' iconic local to celebrate the soap's 40th anniversary.

James Burrell-Cook has been the landlord of The Queen Victoria in Spital Road in Maldon, Essex, since July 2018. It got its current name in 1855, having been previously called the Victoria Inn.

Coincidentally, family members of Lewis Bridgeman, the actor who plays Barney Mitchell in the show, have been regular users of the pub for years as the teenager is from the area.

Mr Burrell-Cook said: "We've got a Mitchell, we have three Queen Victoria busts in the pub already, and many of our customers have moved here from London's East End. But I'm not a Pat Butcher, Peggy Mitchell or a Frank."

"Lewis' family come here for drinks or dinner. We were very proud when he got that part," he added.

BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron Barney Mitchell, played by Lewis Bridgeman, is stood holding a book and dressed in a blue t-shirt. He is stood next to Honey Mitchell and Big Mo.BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
EastEnders, which stars Maldon-born actor Lewis Bridgeman, celebrates its 40th anniversary on Wednesday
BBC/Kieron McCarron A bust of Queen Victoria is on the bar of the Queen Vic in EastEnders. Cast members Linda and Mick Carter are stood behind the bar, smiling at the cameraBBC/Kieron McCarron
The Queen Vic bust has watched over numerous landlords in EastEnders, including Linda and Mick Carter

The 50-year-old said the local community had been excited about the arrival of the replica bust, which the BBC is taking to Queen Vics around the country to celebrate EastEnders turning 40.

Many regulars, former landlords and the pub's darts teams made special plans to visit, he said.

"We're very lucky to have such an amazing community pub. This pub is always about the customers and the team. It's all about the people," Mr Burrell-Cook said.

Before taking over the site Mr Burrell-Cook had considered buying a different pub in Essex, also called The Queen Victoria, but was drawn to the Maldon venue.

"It had an amazing feel, It had also had a fair bit of trouble - I like fixing things," he added.

The Queen Victoria An old sepia coloured photo of the pub from outside. There are two horse drawn carriages but no horses. Four people can be seen stood outside in Victorian dress looking at a carriage.The Queen Victoria
The pub dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria - this photo taken in 1890 shows the Scott family, whose descendants are still regulars today

Mr Burrell-Cook admitted he does not watch the soap "religiously" but keeps up to date with various plots.

He praised the show for how it represents life behind the bar.

"Although it might be condensed into a short period of time it actually represents everything in a pub: the conversations, the troubles, the heartbreak all of that," he said.

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