For four decades, Tracey the Barmaid has stood quietly at the heart of EastEnders. Played faithfully by Jane Slaughter since the show’s very first episode in 1985, Tracey has survived murder plots, pub fires, family feuds, and ownership changes — all with minimal lines but a legendary presence behind the bar at The Queen Vic.

But now, in a move that’s ignited a furious backlash from devoted viewers, the soap’s longest-running character could be facing the unthinkable: being sacked from her job.

Yes, Tracey — the silent stalwart of Walford — is under threat again.

With Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) back running the Vic, the wind of change has blown through the taps. And with Kat’s cheeky nephew Freddie eyeing a spot on staff — cheekily suggesting he’d work for half of Tracey’s wages — whispers of letting Tracey go have started to grow.

What began as a throwaway suggestion has now escalated into a potential storyline twist that has fans fuming. After all, this isn’t the first time new owners have tried to “refresh” the pub by pushing Tracey out — and viewers are tired of it.

On social media, the reaction was swift and emotional.

One fan wrote: “Like the ravens in the Tower, if Tracey leaves the Vic, Albert Square falls.”

Another added: “Why is it every single time the Vic changes hands, they try to sack Tracey? It’s a tradition at this point — and not a good one!”

A third simply demanded: “Enough already. Let the woman pour a pint in peace!”

And it’s not just nostalgia speaking. For many fans, Tracey represents the glue of Walford — the unseen observer of drama, heartbreak, betrayal, and rebirth. She’s been there when Pat and Peggy brawled across the bar, when Den served Angie divorce papers, and when Mick and Linda brought new life into the pub. She’s the silent witness to four decades of EastEnders history.

It wasn’t long ago that fans were finally given a long-awaited peek into Tracey’s life, learning in a surprise twist that she has a secret son. That revelation gave viewers hope that perhaps — just perhaps — the show was preparing to give her more than just a few nods and background scenes.

In a rare Instagram appearance, actress Jane Slaughter commented with good humour: “Tracey has a son. Some of you may remember. Some of you may not know.”

But now, that potential character arc seems overshadowed by the threat of her being quietly removed — again.

The irony isn’t lost on long-time watchers. Tracey is, quite literally, the only original cast member to appear continuously since episode one without a formal exit or recast. Her loyalty — both in and out of the show — is unmatched.

So why, fans ask, is she being treated like disposable furniture every time the pub’s wallpaper changes?

“Give her more lines — better yet, give her a storyline,” pleaded one fan on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s the least she deserves.”

Another wrote: “Tracey’s the reason half the characters even have a job in that place. She is The Vic.”

Some viewers are even calling for a campaign to save her job — or better still, a spotlight episode revealing the full backstory of this beloved but mysterious character. Could we finally learn what’s happened with her son? Could Tracey fall in love, uncover a family secret, or be caught in the crossfire of a Queen Vic takeover plot?

It’s a golden opportunity for the writers — if they choose to take it.

For now, though, Tracey’s fate remains uncertain. Kat and Alfie seem torn, with loyalty to Tracey on one hand, and a desire to make the pub “their own” on the other. Whether that means cutting costs or revamping the bar staff entirely, Tracey’s future hangs in the balance.

And if past transitions are anything to go by, she could very well be shown the door once again — quietly, respectfully, but heartbreakingly.

If it happens, it won’t go unnoticed. Not by viewers, and certainly not by the EastEnders legacy she helped build.

As Albert Square continues to evolve, it begs one painful question: Is there still room for the old guard in a rapidly changing Walford — or is loyalty no longer enough to keep your place behind the bar?