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What is it like living next door to Albert Square?

Danny Fullbrook
BBC News, Hertfordshire
Adam Pensotti/BBC The Albert Square sign on the set of EastEnders. Adam Pensotti/BBC
EastEnders is celebrating its 40th anniversary

As all EastEnders fans know, the TV soap's famous Albert Square is not really in the East End of London.

Since its beginnings, the show has been shot on an outdoor set at BBC Elstree Centre, which is tucked away in the centre of Borehamwood in Hertfordshire.

To an outsider, the terraced houses complete with satellite dishes could fool you into thinking it is just another residential street.

Get closer though and you will find fans camped outside the security gates with umbrellas and chairs, hoping to meet their favourite actors as they sneak out on a lunch break.

So what is it like for the people of Borehamwood who, for the last 40 years, could technically call The Queen Vic pub their local?

Phil Mitchell's neighbour

Danny Fullbrook/BBC A man with short brown hair and a beard is stood in his back garden. Behind him you can see see part of the EastEnders set.Danny Fullbrook/BBC
Darren Bloch lives next to the EastEnders set in Hertfordshire

A few weeks ago, Darren Bloch was washing up when something exploded.

"I started panicking. I could see smoke and all that," he said.

"I quickly shouted to my wife to call the fire service and she called down to say, 'Oh, no, don't worry, it's EastEnders. They sent a letter around to say it was going to happen'.

"I was panicked for a bit."

Danny Fullbrook/BBC The access road that runs towards the EastEnders set. A large black sign reads "BBC Elstree Centre". Houses can be seen on the other side of a black security gateDanny Fullbrook/BBC
The access road to the EastEnders set near Darren Bloch's house

The couple live so close to the set that Albert Square hardman Phil Mitchell's house overlooks their back garden.

Mr Bloch said: "From our bedroom, you can see the whole set, the tops of the buildings and all the set, so we're right on the set.

"When we tell our friends where we live they find it's amazing... They've definitely come up to our bedroom and had a good look."

Danny Fullbrook/BBC A view out of a second floor bedroom window shows a view of the EastEnders set.Danny Fullbrook/BBC
Friends of Mr Bloch like to try and watch filming take place from his bedroom window

The 37-year-old only moved to the area four months ago. He is originally from South Africa where they have never heard of characters like Ian Beale, Dot Branning or Kat Slater.

Although Darren lives closer to the fictional London borough of Walford than anybody else in the world, he has never seen an episode in his life.

"I've Googled it a few times, just to see if I know any of the faces that I regularly see walking around, nothing so far, I haven't been so lucky," he said.

"We did watch Strictly [Come Dancing] this year, that was my first reference of an EastEnders actor."

Danny Fullbrook/BBC Darren Bloch is wearing a grey hoody and has short brown hair with a brown beard. His is stood outside his house which is blue, you can see the road that runs alongside it towards the EastEnders setDanny Fullbrook/BBC
Darren Bloch often spots EastEnders fans camped outside his house

Alongside the couple's home is a road that leads into the set, which is blocked off by a large security gate.

Fans are often sitting on the edge of Darren's driveway hoping for a glimpse of their favourite characters on their way to the local shops.

He said: "When we first moved in it was something we definitely had to get used to, having so many people just walking and looking over.

"You think, 'Are they looking into our property":[]}