Inside Soap UK 05-2023

“The past is always with us in soap” As fate draws Mandy and Paddy back within lunging distance this week, actress Lisa Riley tells us how the repeats of Classic Emmerdale brought back warm memories of the Dingle-Kirks’ salad days, and had the audience cheering for a reconciliation nearly a quarter of a century later. The past is always with us – it’s what fuels the present after all – and never more clearly than in soap. If you ever catch the wonderful Corrie and Emmerdale repeats on ITV2, or EastEnders on Drama, it’s fascinating to spot the overlaps and strange synchronicities. In Classic Corrie (now beaming from 2002), Richard Hillman is poised to claim Victim No 2; a total recently reached by Stephen Reid – the second serial killer…

First with the week’s HOTTEST headlines This is the heart-stopping moment that Nick and Leanne burst into the Bistro to save Sam – after the terrified boy finds himself staring down the barrel of a gun! All hell breaks loose when a drug deal set up by Damon backfires, with two armed and masked men storming the restaurant to grab the gear. Nick, Leanne and Damon are safely outside on the street when Sam calls them to say that he and Ryan are under siege – and then, a shot rings out… “There is a soul-crushing moment for Nick when it dawns on him that he could lose his son,” despairs actor Ben Price, who plays the distraught dad. When the danger of his association with Damon is only affecting…

Is it a relief for Nick that he can finally share his Damon problem with Leanne? Yes, but then it leads to another set of problems. This happens with Nick and Leanne quite a lot, and they get through it because they rely on each other. Leanne is just a bit stronger than Nick, and he’d rather have her by his side, even if it breaks them. Can Leanne forgive Nick for letting Damon into their lives? Yes, but I think there’ll be some caveats. Nick didn’t get into this knowingly and I think Leanne gets that, but she won’t make it easy – he’s going to have to work for it! I think the audience wants the characters to stay together and push through, even when it’s hard, like…

Lonely Paddy falls into bed with his ex-wife Mandy this week – but rather than bringing him comfort, the incident pushes Paddy even further into the depths of despair. Emmerdale bosses have confirmed that this is the start of a huge new storyline for Paddy, who’s been struggling to mask his sorrow since he found out that Chas had cheated on him with Al. And while Mandy does her best to be there for him, ultimately she can’t mend his broken heart… “I think the audience has been desperate for a bit of Mandy and Paddy since she came back,” teases Dales producer Laura Shaw. “We’re going to see those two rekindle their romance and get it on together, but it’s not going to be all love and laughter. What…

Lola’s life is turned upside down this week, as mum Emma finally reveals herself – and drops a massive bombshell about their complicated past! The week begins with enormous stress for Lola when she’s hauled into school by Lexi’s teacher, who tells her an ‘unknown adult’ has gone after a classmate who bullied her daughter. Confused, Lola begins to panic that her vlogging has attracted the attention of some dangerous people and her whole family could be at risk. However, she’s soon blindsided by a new crisis when salon client ‘Nicole’ is finally unmasked as her mother, Emma… “Talk about an emotional tsunami!” gasps our Square insider. “Lola has longed to meet her mum, and now Emma is standing right in front of her. It’s a lot for her to…

Patsy might have hit the headlines thanks to her marriages to rock icons Liam Gallagher and Jim Kerr, but her main man these days is a feisty feline. Followers of Patsy’s Instagram have become well-acquainted with gorgeous cat Bowie, named after her musical hero. The actress and model has long spoken of her adoration for David Bowie, with whom she starred in the film Absolute Beginners. “Can you imagine waking up to anything sweeter, more loving and cuddly lying next to you than Bowie?” she recently posted. Bowie’s been keeping Patsy company as she recovered from a bout of pneumonia. Now she’s on the mend and busy filming at EastEnders, but Bowie’s always there to greet her at home. What a good boy!…