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EastEnders to add a gay bar in bid to diversify BBC One soap

EastEnders will add a gay bar to Albert Square in a bid to diversify the long running BBC One soap.

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New boss Kate Oates – who was previously running Coronation Street on ITV – has unveiled big plans for the series.

They include the opening of a new gay venue, described as a “hip alternative” to the Queen Vic.

“I’m really interested in bringing some more LGBTQ characters in,” said Kate. “We’re looking at opening a gay bar on the Square which will be a super-cool precinct where gay and straight characters can all just hang out.

“It should be something really exciting, really fun, really visual and feel really true to multi-cultural London.”

A source shared to The Sun newspaper: “The gay bar will be a great new filming venue for the show and provide dozens of interesting plot lines. Producers plan to use it as a new space and backdrop to film scenes and base drama.

“Kate is keen that the bar won’t just be for gay and bisexual characters, but for everyone. It will offer a different feel to the traditional pub vibe of the Queen Vic.

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“It’s an important move for the show to authentically reflect modern London life.”

Meanwhile, Kate has also teased the return of some classic EastEnders characters.

She said during a Q&A on Twitter: “We’ve got some great returnees planned. You already know that Lola [Pearce]’s coming back so I’m looking forward to seeing her in the Square.

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“We’ve got a couple more secret returnees coming as well which I won’t tell you too much about now but I will tell you that there’s one coming back in spring that I’m really super excited about.

“It’s going to be for a fairly short stint but i think it’s going to have a really huge impact so they’re part of my big plans for 2019.”

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