Security at the EastEnders set at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, is under scrutiny once again after a YouTuber, known as 'Mr Airborne', recorded himself illegally entering the iconic Albert Square. This marks at least the third reported incident of its kind in the last six years, with the latest video showing the individual scaling a fence, walking through the set, and even briefly wearing a costume found in the fish and chip shop.
The YouTuber, who has over 34,000 subscribers, uploaded footage this week depicting his trespass. He was seen entering the Queen Vic pub and The Minute Mart newsagent before being spotted by security and fleeing the premises. In a surprising admission, Mr Airborne stated this was not his first time on the set, claiming he had previously broken in four years ago, but had not "get anything good" while broadcasting live, prompting him to pre-record this latest escapade. Despite a disclaimer urging viewers not to trespass, the repeated nature of these incidents highlights a persistent challenge for the site.
This recent breach follows at least two other documented incursions by online content creators this decade. In 2021, a YouTube prank duo climbed onto the Queen Vic roof before being discovered by security. A year prior, during the lockdown, a trio of streamers also gained access, with one even emulating Peggy Mitchell by shouting "get outta my pub!" inside the Queen Vic, before they were chased away. Reports of security breaches at Elstree Studios date back further, with police called in 2009 after a hole was found in a fence.
The repeated breaches come despite significant investment in the site. The BBC completed an £87 million rebuild of the EastEnders set in 2022, a project that was reportedly £27 million over budget and four years late. In 2024, the BBC sold the wider Elstree Centre to the insurance company Axa as part of efforts to achieve £500 million in annual savings. However, the long-running soap continues to be filmed on location, with the BBC having agreed to lease back the Albert Square area for the next 25 years.
A spokesperson for the BBC declined to comment on security matters when approached. The ongoing nature of these trespass incidents, despite the high-profile nature of the production and recent investments, raises questions about the effectiveness of current security measures and the potential for disruption to one of the UK's most beloved television shows.