Inside Soap UK 31 - 2016

“GRANT CAN’T BELIEVE PHIL LOST CONTROL OF THE PEGGY SITUATION” Grant’s mission to save his family doesn’t exactly go according to plan this week, as he and brother Phil end up at loggerheads – and Sharon is caught in the middle! It’s a tense reunion for the brothers as old wounds are reopened and fresh feuds ignited. Will they emerge from their showdown stronger for it, or more estranged than ever? “It was never going to be a happy reunion for the boys, given everything they’ve been through in the past,” explains our EastEnders insider. “But with their beloved mother Peggy having recently been laid to rest, you’d think they would have become united. Typically, though, they’re the same old Phil and Grant – and their default setting is just…

Considering his romantic history, it was inevitable that Grant would end up seducing at least one of the Square’s lovely ladies. The obvious choice is Sharon. The chemistry between them was sizzling when Grant last visited Walford, but she’s since pledged her loyalty to Phil. So if Sharon isn’t the woman he hooks up with, who is? “The fact that Grant has a moment with his former flame Kathy might not just be a coincidence,” muses our EastEnders spy. “But if Ian ever found out, he’d be absolutely appalled!” With that in mind, there are plenty of other eligible lasses in Walford who wouldn’t mind getting their claws into the Mitchell man. Denise has already had her Phil when she spent a drunken night with him – so will she…

“AIDAN REGRETS IT MORE THAN MARIA BECAUSE HE HAS A LOT MORE TO LOSE” There’s a scandal brewing for Maria and Aidan this week – as the pair share a drink and end up in bed! Both fed up with the actions of their other halves, they seek solace in one another after a tough day. Maria is angry with fiancé Luke for making a huge mistake and wrecking Caz’s chances of fixing things with Kate. Meanwhile, Aidan is cross because he and Eva have had a fight about living together, and she’s failed to remember it’s the anniversary of his mum’s death. So Maria and Aidan end up sharing a heart-to-heart… “Don’t forget they have history and have known each other for years because Maria was married to Aidan’s…

While being torn between handsome Luke and sexy Aidan doesn’t sound like a bad thing, Samia has other ideas of what Maria’s romantic future should involve. Specifically, that her relationship-hopping alter ego should calm down and try to keep men at bay… “I think Maria should stick with being on her own for a while,” the star tells us. “I don’t think Luke is the guy for her – he’s too young. I believe Liam was the love of her life, and she’s never really found anyone who matches up to him.”…

“I DON’T KNOW WHETHER ZAK IS IN LOVE WITH JOANIE OR IF IT’S INFATUATION” Zak Dingle prepares to make an honest woman out of Joanie this week – but as he waits to marry her, his bride-to-be goes missing! With many of the Dingles still furious that Zak left loyal Lisa for Joanie, the day is already fraught with bad feelings as emotions run high. It’s important to Zak to let the world know he’s devoted to Joanie – however, as she prepares to marry into a family who hate her, it’s not quite so simple for Joanie… “Zak calls Joanie the woman of his dreams, so he’s excited on the big day,” explains Steve Halliwell, who plays the groom. “I don’t know whether he’s deeply in love with Joanie…

Whether Joanie will show up at the church is a closely guarded secret, but Steve says he’s in no doubt about what Emmerdale viewers think of the whole situation… “People often say to me, ‘You naughty man, get back with Lisa’!” laughs the actor. “They say that Joanie’s all right, but she’s not Lisa. I would like Zak and Lisa to get back together eventually, too. I love working with both Denise [Black, who plays Joanie] and Jane [Cox, aka Lisa] equally, but because of the long tradition of the Dingle family, and the fact their marriage was a symbol of loyalty and family values, I think Zak should be with Lisa. The viewers are probably right!”…