In the upcoming scenes, Martin is taken aback when Honey

and Billy admit that the popular local business area is at risk of

being redeveloped. The trio convene at The Vic for a crisis meeting

alongside the market traders, and discuss the possibility that the market and Square Gardens could be abolished.

Ian is summoned to the meeting and unveils the council’s plans, and things escalate when everyone learns that Junior has been given the prospective contract for the job.

Can the market be saved?

In other EastEnders news, star Shane Richie recently teased that this year’s Christmas episodes will be an emotional affair, with “deceit, tragic and sad” scenes to come.

“A few things happened on Christmas, which I intentionally didn’t read [the script] because I knew that Kat and Alfie were going to be involved, and I didn’t really want to know what was going to happen in the Queen Vic on Christmas Day,” he told Radio Times.

“But oh my God! I sat there watching this story unfolding in the Queen Vic that happens on Christmas Day, and as a fan of the show anyway, I was like, ‘Oh my God I can’t believe this! Stop!’

“I had to do a line, and I kept messing it up because I was so taken in with the storyline that was happening,” Shane added. “You’re in for a lovely treat this Christmas Day.”