EastEnders’ cast return to Albert Square for their FIRST day back at filming

The EastEnders cast and crew have returned for their first day of filming since shooting the soap was put on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Stalwarts on the show including Danny Dyer, Adam Woodyatt and Jake Wood were snapped adhering to social distancing guidelines while filming their scenes.

Those on set now have to follow new social distancing guidelines in accordance with government regulation so that they are able to return safely amid the crisis. 

Danny, who stars as Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter, was seen holding a script as he recited his lines during his first appearance on the Square in months on Monday.

The star could be seen chatting with Luisa Bradshaw-White [Tina Carter] in front of the new mural, which has been added as a sign of support fort he Black Lives Matter movement.

The duo filmed their scene in the Walford market, as they stood between the stalls while shooting their first episode back together.  

Elsewhere, Adam [Ian Beale] dressed to impress in a suit and tie as he filmed scenes outside Kathy’s cafe with Milly Zero [Dotty Cotton]. 

Later the actor was seen filming with Jake Wood [Max Branning] and Clay Milner Russel [Bobby Beale], while crew members looked on.

Members of the crew held out microphones on extended poles in order to pick up the sound from the actors, while remaining at a safe distance.

Fans are anticipating the show returning several weeks down the line, as the programme aired its final episode earlier this month after running out of episodes due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The hit BBC One soap will keep loyal viewers in suspense as they ended the show with a dramatic Sharon Mitchell cliffhanger.

Production on EastEnders came to a halt in March, when the UK went into lockdown and most people were instructed to stay home, and work from home if possible.

And for the first time in the soap’s 35-year history, the show ran out of new material on and was forced to go on a hiatus in a BBC first.

The dramatic final episode before the break ended with Sharon, played by Letitia Dean, being revealed as the new Queen Vic pub landlady. 

Viewers had been led to believe that Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) would be taking over the reins but Mick (Danny Dyer) managed to trick the Walford hardman. 

Just as Mick was about to sign over the Queen Vic, he dropped the explosive bombshell that there was in fact a new different landlord.

Phil was left sceptical over the announcement as he protested: ‘We had a deal. You’re bluffing, there’s no way you could have got a different buyer that quick.’

To which Mick then led Phil and his equally baffled wife Linda (Kellie Bright) to the bar where Phil’s estranged wife Sharon was pulling pints.

In a typically dramatic Albert Square scene, Phil’s scorned wife chillingly said: ‘Hello Phil, what can I get you?’

In place of its Monday and Tuesday episodes, a new series called Secrets From The Square, hosted by Stacey Dooley, has been shown.

BBC One also unearthed iconic past episodes and treat fans to a does of nostalgia for the time being.

Since EastEnders has never been aired in ‘seasons’ like other shows, this was a milestone episode to many. 

Upon it’s return, the soap will resume its four days a week broadcasts, which were scrapped to release out the instalments that were in the can.

But the show returns with shortened episodes; rather than the standard half-hour slots, they will be 20 minutes long to begin with.

Executive Producer of the show Jon Sen said: ‘Resuming production is incredibly exciting and challenging in equal measure.

‘Since we postponed filming we’ve been working non-stop trialling techniques, filming methods and new ways of working so that we can return to screens four times a week – as EastEnders should be.

‘Filming will inevitably be a more complex process now so creating 20 minute episodes will enable us to ensure that when we return, EastEnders will still be the show the audience know and love.’