Den calls time at the bar

EastEnders' Alfie Moon is out on his ear when rival Dirty Den buys the Queen Vic.

13:29 23 December 2004

EastEnders' Alfie Moon is out on his ear when rival Dirty Den buys the Queen Vic.

Sam Mitchell sells the pub to dastardly Den, played by Leslie Grantham, in a desperate attempt to raise cash to save her brother Phil.

But the bombshell news leaves Alfie devastated - particularly when Den kicks him, Nana and brother Spencer out into the street.

Furious Alfie, played by Shane Richie, lunges at Den when he hears the news and has to be restrained by Spencer, played by Chris Parker, in the dramatic Christmas Eve episode.

"Alfie is heartbroken," said actor Shane, 40, the Sun reported.

"Not only has he lost his pub, but he realises that his family will be homeless and out in the cold for Christmas.

"He had also invited all of Walford to Christmas dinner, so everybody will be going hungry."

The Moon brothers are forced to spend Christmas in a fish and chip van, while the Slaters look after Nana.