While competing with Nish and Suki Panesar (Navin Chowdhry and Balvinder Sopal) for control of the Queen Vic in EastEnders, Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) had no idea that Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) doesn’t genuinely want to sell to any of them.
For the last several months, Linda has been secretly calling people, telling that if they can get the money, she would be happy to sell to them.
To keep the Panesars happy should anything go wrong with her new buyer, this has required lying to best friend Sharon.
The Panesars continue to behave as if they already own the Vic, and viewers will watch Linda struggle to be open with Sharon about her aspirations for the Vic.
Linda sobs over Mick’s “Presumption of Death” certificate, and Suki reassures her husband that nothing is now stopping them from acquiring the renowned bar.
It doesn’t take long for Nish and Suki to show off their new mansion to their friends by inviting them to the Vic.
They are quickly brought back to reality, however, as Linda admits that she isn’t going through with the sale since she has found another bidder.
Nish walks away quietly, saying that it’s simply business, while Suki vents her rage.
Linda feels compelled to tell Sharon everything now that Suki and Nish are certain of the pub’s future, and Sharon reacts terribly to the information.
A massive altercation starts, with Sharon enraged at Linda’s treachery.
Elaine Peacock, the Queen Vic’s new owner, enters as things get hot and fling open the bar doors.
Elaine, Linda’s mother, will be back on the Square with a new family after making her previous appearance there in 2017.
Maria Friedman’s replacement as Elaine, actress Harriet Thorpe, said that audiences may anticipate “some laughs, a bit of wit, a bit of wisdom, and a strong woman.”
She made fun of Sharon and the Panesars’ reactions, joking, “I think they’re both hugely shocked, with big consequences.”
What will the remaining inhabitants of Walford think of the new Queen Vic owners?