EASTENDERS has been home to countless screen rats down the years — and now real ones have moved in.
Rodents have been gnawing through props and pooing at the soap’s £87million set.
Pest control were called in after vermin started nesting in the prop room floor at BBC Elstree Centre in Hertfordshire.
A source said: “EastEnders has always tried to represent London and that’s become a little too true with an outbreak of rats.
“No one wants to see rodents at work and they have been causing a headache by chewing props and leaving droppings everywhere.
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“It’s pretty gross.
“Thankfully none have made it into the Queen Vic — yet.”
Traps and toxic repellents have been laid by pest control, though the soap’s famous Kat, played by Jessie Wallace, is always on hand if needed.
A report stated: “Attended site for call-out due to reported rat activity in the EastEnders prop store mezzanine floor.
“A thorough visual inspection was carried out showing chewed products/nesting material.”
The new set opened in 2022 - four years later and £27million more than originally intended.
An EastEnders spokeswoman said: “There is no rat infestation at EastEnders but on the odd occasion, if we have suspected an unauthorised visit from a furry visitor, we have called in the specialists.”
