SOUTHEND’S iconic pier was back on television this week during the latest series of Eastenders.

A number of locations in the city were used as the backdrop for an episode broadcast on Thursday evening.

It isn’t the first time the pier has been used for filming of television series so here is a quick look back at other occasions when producers have used the attraction for shows.

Eastenders

The Pier has been used in numerous episodes in the past and will no doubt be used again.

One of the shows more dramatic moments was captured on the pier back in 2011, which saw a showdown between several characters take place on the end of the pier.

It resulted in villain Rob being thrown into the Thames as Ryan sought to rescue his sister Whitney.

Minder

Another BBC 1 show – but not one modern audiences may have heard about.

The comedy series ran for 10 series between 1979 and 1994.

Southend Pier featured in the end credits of one episode which showed unscrupulous businessman Arthur Daley and his bodyguard Ray walking down the pier.

When they reach the end, Arthur realises that he has left his lighter at the other end and they then have to walk back – mainly because Arthur is too ‘tight’ to pay for the train ride back.

Great British Railway Journeys

Iconic host Michael Portillo stopped off at Southend Pier during series three of the popular BBC2 show.

He shared his memories of Southend before then hopping on the pier train and enjoying a ride to the other end.

Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast

Southend Pier became home to celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and childhood friend turned TV presenter, Jimmy Doherty, for their Chanell 4 programme.

The duo set up their own café based at the end of the pier and filmed several series there between 2014 and 2019.

The show saw the cafe filled with members of the public and a celebrity guest each week who would help cook a dish of their own choice – while under the watchful eye of expert Jamie.

Alison Moyet’s music video for ‘When I was your girl’

This may not have appeared on TV but has more than a million hits on YouTube.

The video was shot in 2013 and saw Moyet walk down the pier with her real-life daughter, Caitlin, while lip-syncing the song.

Moyet referred to the pier as 'a place that figured highly in my girlhood years.'