EastEnders stars in St Albans (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

EastEnders stars in St Albans

1:56pm Monday 30th November 2009

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ST PETER'S CHURCH in St Albans City centre has been taken over by the BBC soap opera EastEnders for the filming of the second wedding of characters Bianca Jackson and Ricky Butcher.

A film crew and the programme's cast will occupy the medieval church from today until Thursday for an episode to be broadcast early next year.

Bianca and Ricky, played by Patsy Palmer and Sid Owen, first married in 1997, but were divorced two years later.

The cul-de-sac in front of the church has been closed to traffic to allow access for the film crews' vans and two limousines used by the fictional couple.

St Albans district councillor Kate Morris, who lives next to the church, said: “The crew have been very friendly and helpful, but at times this morning it was a bit chaotic, with all these heavy lorries coming and going.

“This is a residential street – everybody forgets that people live in the city centre.

“But I am pleased it is raising the profile of St Albans.

“St Peter's is a very picturesque church which I am sure is why they chose it, but it doesn't look very like the East End to me.”

Mark Fraser, manager of The Blacksmth's Arms, said: “We had plenty of notice - it hasn't caused any problems at all so far.

“I suppose I might get a bit of extra business out of it but I think they've brought their own catering and I don't suppose the crew are allowed to do much drinking.

"Since it's EastEnders, I assume there'll be a fight at the wedding.”

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