Table of contents for 11 - 2021 in Inside Soap UK

“The classic episodes are as good as you remember” The best thing about this lockdown (oh come on, folks, there has to be something good we get out of it, surely?) is that not only am I able to keep up to date with all the soaps, but I’m even fitting in some extra ones. I’m enjoying squeezing in a bit of Classic EastEnders on Drama, or Classic Corrie and Emmerdale on ITV3, in the day during my lunch break. There have been stonking episodes over the past few months, as you’ll have seen from our weekly Classic Scoop feature. This week in the ‘classics’ is particularly gripping (see p36)… Ian takes a bullet courtesy of Cindy’s hitman in EastEnders, while Chris Tate takes a bang on the head from…

Casualty titan Amanda Mealing is leaving the show, after seven years of playing arguably the medical drama’s most popular character, Connie Beauchamp. The ED will be under new management once Connie steps down as clinical lead, and departs the hospital for a while. “It has been a remarkable privilege to play Connie for the past 18 years,” says Amanda, who took on the role on Holby City in 2004, before moving to its sister show. “When she first hit TV screens, there were few female leads that weren’t ‘the wife of’, ‘the mistress of’, or needed ‘rescuing’. Most important for me is knowing that Connie has inspired so many women and young girls to seek careers, independence, and strive to be their best.” After a turbulent time leading her staff…

As Grace goes into labour, and the Baileys gather at the hospital, Ed can’t help but notice how on edge his brother seems, and asks what’s going on. When shame-faced Ronnie confesses that he and Aggie had a relationship prior to her meeting Ed, he’s blindsided. Then Ronnie drops a second bombshell – Michael might be his biological son! “This terrible secret has been festering in the family for decades, and Ed is shattered,” reveals our source. “Aggie is his soul mate; the woman he’s shared everything with, and to think that she’s kept this from him is heartbreaking. Not only has he been betrayed by her, but also by his brother, too. It’s a double whammy, and Ed can’t get his head around it.” The next day, Ronnie brings…

Hi, Lorraine! It’s so sad that the family has to have Bronson put down… It’s terrible – he’s such a part of the family. When someone you love goes, it’s never nice, and it’s just adding to the fact that Chantelle has gone as well. Bailey, in particular, really struggles, so Karen wants to care for her. Karen and Bailey have such a close relationship, don’t they? Karen loves Bailey as though she’s her own. She’ll always 100% go the extra mile for Bailey, and is very protective of her. I think they have a good relationship, and Bailey cares about Karen too. What about Mitch? Do you think there’s any potential for him and Karen to rekindle things? Karen loves him very much. Their background story was that Mitch…

Alf and Roo realise that all is not right with Martha this week, after they spot her having a heated conversation with thin air! There’s been tension within the Stewart family ever since Martha’s troublesome son Kieran rocked up in the Bay, and Martha now blames Alf for the fact that her son has left town. However, it seems that Kieran’s reappearance has had a huge impact on Martha’s mental health… “Martha has borderline personality disorder,” Belinda Giblin, who plays Martha, reminds us. “So when Kieran arrived out of the blue after 15 years or so, and said, ‘Hi Mum, I’m back’, it was destabilising for her. All sorts of things started to happen, and we realised that Martha was actually scared of her son.” It was after alcoholic Kieran…

“What?! You’ve sent my kids on a playdate where some psycho can turn up at any minute?” We assume he means when their dad comes to collect them. “I’ve learned from my mistakes!” …trilled Ellis, fresh from sleeping with his brother’s ex, then copping off with his dad’s. “If I was to ask you what 27 into 13,108 is, could you do that?” “485, remainder 13.” And who says the soaps aren’t educational? “I’m looking for another premises. They can sort out all the arrangements for their dearly departed, and then go straight into the café for an apple pie and a little cry. There’s a florist just around the corner, solicitors’ for the probate… Turns out this could be a one-stop shop for the bereaved.” The future of Corrie…

David takes pity on Nate this week, when the new dad struggles with sleep deprivation. As the father of a young baby, David knows all too well how tough it is to manage an infant, work, and get eight hours kip. So, when he spots Nate looking done in, David offers him some expert advice about how to catch 40 winks. Nate’s very grateful for David’s friendship, even though he’s Tracy’s former husband. But how will she feel when she discovers that David is dishing out baby advice?…

While the rest of the world is cheering the arrival of 1998, poor Deirdre is left out in the cold – literally! Furious that her not-so high-flying tie salesman fiancé has to work, she goes to his shop to surprise him – only to be told that he’s at home with his wife and kids! Later, arriving on their doorstep, Deirdre is stunned when Jon claims to have no idea who she is! It is, of course, just the beginning of her problems… Back on the Street, there’s goodwill to one man in particular this festive season, when Sally lets cheating Kevin back into her home – and her heart……

TILL DEATH DO US PART… I just cannot believe Victor killed Sid in Hollyoaks, and he’s still waltzing about the village! Someone needs to bring down Victor, and fast, before anyone else dies. Meanwhile, the show has lost a brilliant actor in Billy Price – I hope it’s not the last we see of him! Danielle LIGHTEN UP! What with Leanne whining; Yasmeen rambling on about Geoff; and Gail and Eileen constantly shouting at each other, Coronation Street is becoming more like an episode of Loose Women. How about some light relief please? Colin, London Corrie is always great at bringing the humour – hopefully we’ll be getting some soon… NEW BABE ON THE BLOCK I love how John has been going around Summer Bay with Susie on his arm…

EILEEN Eileen appears to have burned her bridges with George as a result of the recent funeral debacle. But could smooth-talking Ronnie be the man to put the wind back in her sails? JENNY We don’t envisage Jenny being disloyal to Johnny – however, if meddling Daisy has her way, the Rovers landlady will have traded her jailbird husband in for a new man before Easter. MARY Ever the hopeless romantic, Mary’s a sucker for a handsome man with the gift of the gab – just ask Adam! But does Ronnie have the stamina to satisfy her quirky fantasies? And will she set her cap at him? AGGIE Not content with turning Ed’s life upside down with the revelation that he once romanced Aggie, and could have fathered Michael, will…

WIT AND WISDOM “Less bitching, more stitching.” Carla “I’ve had more comebacks than Tom Jones!” Carla “I was going to buy you a spade for your wedding present. Going on past form, you’ll be burying him within a year.” Leanne “Cross me again, Rosie, and I’ll make you into a handbag!” Carla “Eight bottles of red, is it?” Sean THE KEY RELATIONSHIPS PETER Peter is the great love of Carla’s life, but also the cause of deep pain. These two are an electric combination – when it’s good, it’s amazing, but when it’s bad, it’s toxic. ROY & HAYLEY Carla might seem an unlikely bestie for the Croppers, but she loved Hayley and adores Roy. He has been her rock through many a crisis, and she depends on his wise…

As well as the big night, there are special shows throughout the week. Billy Monger’s Big Red Nose Day Challenge sees the racing driver and amputee walk, cycle and kayak 140 miles – his amazing journey is captured in a one-hour special (Thurs, BBC1, 8pm). Rylan Clark-Neal invites Rob Rinder and Stephen Mangan to the kitchen in a Ready Steady Cook Red Nose Day Special (Weds, BBC1, 7.30pm). And there’s musical memories in Rob Brydon Now That’s What I Call Comic Relief, with highlights such as Theophilus P Wildebeest (Lenny Henry) and Tom Jones performing Sex Bomb (Thurs, BBC2, 10pm).…

CASUALTY Connie Beauchamp.......... Amanda Mealing Faith Cadogan...................... Kirsty Mitchell Leon Cook....................... Bobby Lockwood Charlie Fairhead.............. Derek Thompson Ethan Hardy.................... George Rainsford David Hide................................ Jason Durr Jan Jenning............................... Di Botcher Dylan Keogh.......................... William Beck Fenisha Khatri........................ Olivia D’Lima Marty Kirkby................ Shaheen Jafargholi Jade Lovall.......................... Gabriella Leon Lev Malinovsky........................... Uriel Emil Rashid ‘Rash’ Masum............. Neet Mohan Jacob Masters....................... Charles Venn Robyn Miller................ Amanda Henderson CORONATION STREET Aadi Alahan......................... Adam Hussain Asha Alahan......................... Tanisha Gorey Dev Alahan........................ Jimmi Harkishin Aggie Bailey......................... Lorna Laidlaw Edison Bailey......... Trevor Michael Georges James Bailey..................... Nathan Graham Michael Bailey....................... Ryan Russell Ronnie Bailey........................ Vinta Morgan Adam Barlow................. Samuel Robertson Ken Barlow......................... William Roache Peter Barlow....................... Chris Gascoyne Sarah Barlow........................... Tina O’Brien Simon Barlow.............................. Alex Bain Leanne Battersby................... Jane Danson Toyah Battersby.................... Georgia Taylor Emma Brooker............... Alexandra Mardell Chesney…

BULLSEYE! The Dingle Court is spoken about as if it’s the most normal thing in the world when, if you think about it, it’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever heard. Imagine your daughter voting to let you live over the road, only for your cousin-twice-removed to run you out of town? Madness! Anyways, welcome home, Faith. Your brilliant nonsense has given Emmerdale a very welcome boost.…

Hi, Reece! This week sees Paul completely lose it – how would he react if he’s actually killed his son? It’s a tough question! I think he would turn himself in – he would know he doesn’t deserve anything after that. But that’s just Reece talking. With Paul, at the very core there’s a good man, but he has been too far lost. How do you wind down after filming such big, intense scenes? Well, I have a six-month-old puppy that’s all over the place, so that’s hardly winding down! But you don’t when you have a major soap storyline, there’s no rest. Your whole weekend is spent learning lines. I like to be with my family, but I don’t get much time at the moment! Are there lighter times…

Job swap! Ramsay Street star Sharon Johal has announced that she is quitting the role of Dipi. However, the actress won’t be leaving Neighbours altogether, as she’ll be writing and directing future episodes! My sacrifice Corrie’s Shelley King, who plays Yasmeen, has opened up about the effect that her character’s abuse story has had on her home life with wife Trilby James. “I’ve been hell to live with,” confesses the star. Spill the tea! A new series of podcast Soap From The Box is available to download now, with soapies past and present dishing the dirt! Names include Jen Meltcalfe (Hollyoaks’ Mercy), Charlie Hardwick (the Dales’ Val Pollard), and Corrie’s Julie Hesmondhalgh (Hayley Cropper).…

Sharon receives news that her biological father, Gavin Sullivan, has died this week – bringing her into contact with a handsome stranger. Mystery man Zack Hudson is among the mourners at Gavin’s funeral, where Sharon struggles to hide her true feelings towards her despicable dad after she makes off with his ashes – and dumps them in the bin! However, it turns out that Zack wasn’t a huge fan of Gavin’s either, as he makes a scathing toast to him at the wake. Just who is this enigmatic new bloke that Sharon already seems to have much in common with? “Zack is an unpredictable troublemaker,” warns our Walford insider. “He had a difficult childhood that has left him determined never to rely on anyone, or become too attached – and…

Widow Jasmine thinks she could be ready to move on from late husband Robbo this week, as she and new beau Lewis grow closer. But is she really in the right place for a relationship? Star Sam Frost, who plays Jasmine, reckons she is… Hi Sam! Do you think that Jasmine is ready to move on from Robbo? Yes, I think she is – Jasmine is in need of some happiness! She loves love, and is excited to start her new life with Lewis. She contemplates taking off her wedding ring this week – how tough is this decision for her? It’s really tough. She’s hesitant to begin with, as she feels she is betraying Robbo – although she leans into her feelings for Lewis, and takes steps towards creating…

Dating guru Kim tries to hijack Sharon’s leaving do to launch her Foxcatcher business this week, before wrecking it with a stupid mistake. She’s horrified when hardly anyone turns up to the party, but then realises she put the wrong date on the flyers! But despite the terrible turnout, Kim remains relentless in her hustling as she tries to sign up Walford’s lonely hearts. Having already been successful in matching Lola and Isaac, as well as Peter and Ash, Kim’s ready to cast more love spells. Will she make it happen?…

Smug Kim sparks fury in son Jamie this week, after she crows about wrecking his blossoming relationship with Dawn. Thanks to Kim, Jamie and Dawn’s romance is over, and he’s now forced to play happy families with pregnant Gabby. Kim can’t resist boasting when Mack congratulates her on masterminding the destruction of Jamie’s relationship, unaware that her son is listening in. However, instead of accepting that he has no choice but do what his mother orders, Jamie is seething – and is determined to get revenge. It’s not simple, though, as Gabby is now under their roof, and Jamie feels terrible about trying to get her to have a termination. But Kim’s iron grip on his life is driving Jamie mad, and he’s never been provoked to this extent before.…

There’s a blast from the past for Trish this week, when her ex-boyfriend Fergus rocks up in the village! Fergus is also the former business partner of her current beau, Brad, and has turned up to offer him an exciting new moneymaking opportunity. However, Trish is highly suspicious of her old flame, and suspects that the proposition may not be all it seems… But as Trish urges Brad not to get involved with dodgy Fergus, will Brad take any notice? Or will he choose to go ahead with the shady deal anyway?…

It has been claimed, by those who know about such things, that the only creature fated to outlive a nuclear apocalypse will be the humble cockroach. However, we know that even this most hardy of survivors is positively feeble compared with soap’s No 1 creepy-crawly. Should armageddon ever come, those plucky cockroaches will still be ordering their fish and chips from Ian Beale. Our Ian has recently escaped poisoning by Sharon, of course – not to mention a shipwreck, and countless throttlings from the likes of Max and Phil – while an ever-growing majority of his friends and neighbours are mouldering in the grave. Like Voldemort or Wile E Coyote, he just keeps coming right back atcha. The first clues to Ian’s immortality came 25 years ago, when, in an…

TAKING THE BLAME… Heartbroken Ruby has been suffering since her devastating miscarriage in EastEnders – but is putting the blame on love rival Stacey only going to end in even more heartache for her? I really hope Ruby gets found out some time soon, because while her miscarriage is awful, she deceived everyone in order to keep Martin by her side. And although Stacey isn’t the golden girl, she’s getting blamed for something she wasn’t responsible for. Johnny, Portsmouth I think the biggest shame is that Ruby and Stacey have become so competitive over a man, and that man is Martin! Ruby and Stacey used to be as thick as thieves back in the day. They need to get their friendship on track again, and forget all about Martin. There…

“My jaw hit the floor when I first found out that Peter was going to sleep with Suki!” gasps EastEnders star Dayle Hudson, who plays Square Lothario Peter. “I couldn’t believe it! But it was a great scene to film – it was exciting, although I was a bit nervous. Suki is an absolute badass, so when I read the script, I knew that Peter was going to get chewed up and spat out. Peter thinks he’s a ladies’ man, yet when a woman like Suki presents herself, he doesn’t really know what to do!” Having put his shock hook-up with Suki behind him, Peter is now romancing her daughter Ash, and the pair sleep together this week. But the romantic mood is quickly shattered when Suki arrives home! It’s…

DIGITAL PVT CHAT Jack is an internet gambler living in New York City, who becomes fixated on Scarlet, an online webcam model from San Francisco. His obsession reaches a boiling point, when fantasy materialises in reality, and Jack catches sight of Scarlet on a rainy Chinatown street… BOOK BEHIND CLOSED DOORS by Catherine Alliott Lucy Palmer has it all: loving children, a dashing husband and a gorgeous home. But when her marriage to Michael comes to an abrupt end, her life is turned upside down. Lucy heads back to her parents’ rural farm, but gets more than she bargained for! STAR CHOICE Penny McNamee (Home and Away’s Tori Morgan) “I am loving the Dear Evan Hansen Broadway musical soundtrack. I haven’t seen it, but I really love the soundtrack!…

There’s disappointment in store for Nick this week, as Natasha returns from London – and he realises that means he’ll have to move out of her flat. Nick took up residence at Natasha’s while she was away for work, and he’s loved spending more time with his son, Sam. Now she’s back, though, it’s time for him to move on. However, when Nick approaches Leanne about living with her, she says it’s too soon – leaving Nick saddened that a reconciliation appears to be off the table. Seeing how down Nick is about Leanne, Natasha tells him he’s welcome to stay on with her and Sam for a while longer. Will Nick take Natasha up on the offer, not realising just how much Leanne needs him?…

When you’ve been in a soap as long as Ashley’s been in Hollyoaks, you rack up a wedding or two. But the star tells us that he can’t even remember how many times he’s been married on screen! “I’ve lost count, but I think it’s four,” chuckles Ashley. “There were two with Nancy – or was it three? – and then the one with Hannah Ashworth. But I couldn’t pick a favourite, as they always go very wrong for Darren. “Sadly, because of Covid, this wedding doesn’t have a lot of guests,” he adds. “However, the writers did a great job. We tried a few different tricks to make it look as if we were standing closer together – sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’m really looking forward to…

Real-life soap rivalry could be about to kick off in the house of Corrie’s Jane Danson (Leanne), with the news that her hubby Robert Beck is joining Hollyoaks! Jane married the ex-Brookside actor after they met at the British Soap Awards in 1999 – and now the couple look set to collide on the soap circuit again, as Robert makes his Chester debut this week as newbie Fergus… “Fergus is cheeky, although he’s a man you really wouldn’t want to have as an enemy,” warns Robert, who has also enjoyed significant roles in Coronation Street and Emmerdale, playing Jimmy Dockerson and Gavin Ferris respectively. “To be honest, you would probably have to be pretty careful if he was your friend!” Fergus already has connections in the village in the form…

Pregnant Grace is in for two big shocks at the supermarket this week – first, she’s detained by security, and then she goes into labour! The mum-to-be pops into the store to buy supplies for the gender-reveal party that Ed’s hosting for them. She’s scandalised when, having paid for her items, she’s stopped by security on the way out and asked to show a receipt. Convinced that she’s being racially profiled, furious Grace loses her cool – but there’s bigger drama ahead… “Security locks Grace in an office because she can’t find her receipt, then she has her first contraction!” reveals our Corrie insider. “It’s a nightmare because poor Grace is in agony while being held against her will, and she needs to convince the security guards to get her…

After years of Sharon worshipping her adoptive father ‘Dirty’ Den Watts, Walford bosses threw us a curveball in 2015 by introducing her birth dad, Gavin Sullivan – who was also Kathy’s third husband and the reason she faked her death in South Africa! Gavin used to knock about with Den years before, and they agreed that Den and his wife Angie would adopt Sharon after her birth mum, Carol Hanley, had a breakdown. Gavin’s only request was that Den would greet his little girl ‘princess’ – hence Den’s infamous nickname for her. However, when Gavin returned to Walford six years ago with Kathy, Sharon realised how evil he was – and her lasting memory of Gavin was seeing him carted off by police after he’d terrorised her and Kathy. Truthfully,…

Well-meaning Mitch turns dog-napper by accident this week, when he catches a stray pooch for Bailey – and later learns that the mutt’s owners are looking for him! Boisterous Banjo crashes into the lives of the Taylor clan just days after their beloved Bronson is put to sleep. Everyone is devastated to say goodbye to their beautiful Staffie, particularly heartbroken Bailey. So, when Mitch and Bailey chance upon a stray dog, the dad sees an opportunity to put a smile back on his daughter’s face. “It is a really tough and emotional time for Bailey, and Mitch is really worried about his little girl and how upset she is,” explains our Walford insider. “Even though they can’t replace Bronson, having a new dog to take care of gives Bailey a…

Imran gets more than he bargained for with Kelly this week, after the wayward teen suggests that he and Toyah become her new foster parents! As Kelly recovers in hospital following a bad reaction to the pills Simon sold her, the police want to know where she got the drugs – with Imran acting as her legal representation. But he is he set to go further and give Kelly a new home, too? “Kelly is desperately in need of a stable environment, and Imran and Toyah can give her that now they are approved foster parents,” reckons our cobbles insider. “However, to go from temporarily homing newborn Mason at Christmas, to taking on a troubled teen, is quite a leap. Are Imran and Toyah ready for the challenges that Kelly…

FAIR CITY • Orla gets a warning that Dolores is after Junior this week, but Dolores is horrified when Orla reveals to Junior who his birth father is. Elsewhere, Damien suggests to Mairead they postpone the wedding! Plus, Vinny uses flattery to get Seán to do her bidding in the flat… RIVER CITY • Lenny and Tyler go head-to-head this week, but it turns out that Dave Doulkes is behind the threats – leaving Tyler with an impossible decision to bring the feud to an end… Meanwhile, Scarlett wants to lift Stevie’s bad mood. Plus, Eve tries to build bridges with Dylan. THE ARCHERS • Eddie is fuming following Lynda’s decision about the Mystery Plays this week, and vows revenge by making a very rash move – will Eddie back…

As a wild animal, Kim Tate (well, Marchant now, but always a Tate to us) is at her most dangerous when cornered. Like everyone’s favourite dinosaur in Jurassic Park, you half-expect her to puff up a frill of angry flesh around her neck, before spitting actual poison in your face. This week, Kim realises her trial for racehorse rustling is slowly turning against her, and decides to gallop for the distant hills. But when she goes to retrieve the small fortune she’s hidden in Frank’s grave, she finds only a tape recording of several minutes of concentrated gloating from Chris. This is the set-up to one of Emmerdale’s all-time great showdowns, as Kim storms to Home Farm to demand her money, which Chris insists he’ll only give up if she…

You Bet he will! It wasn’t long after his arrival in Weatherfield that Mike wooed the biggest attraction in town – Bet Lynch! My girl! Mike’s longstanding feud with Ken went from bad to worse when Mike married his rival’s daughter, Susan. #awks! Shotgun wedding! Ken dumped true love Alma to marry Jackie Ingram for her money – but she threw him out at gunpoint! Father and son! Mike had always thought that Susan had terminated her pregnancy when they split – until Adam arrived! Family affairs! Mike’s ‘nephew’ Danny turned up, but the family resemblance made it obvious that he was far more than that...…

IN THE RED Neighbours’ Nicolette has been flashing about a lovely red handbag – do you know of similar ones? Lilly, Essex We’ve found the ‘Croc Structured Mini Tote Bag’ from Boohoo.com for £14 – or if you want a wardrobe staple, look up the ‘Lucy Bag’ in Wine Red Croc from JW Pei! BACK IN THE LIMELIGHT So I’ve been watching Unforgotten, and have seen some familiar faces – are there a lot of ex-soap actors on the show? Rachel, York The new series of Unforgotten features a lot of soap stars! First there’s Lucy Speed, who played Natalie Evans in EastEnders. Plus, also landing on their feet post-Walford are Phaldut Sharma – who played Masood’s brother AJ for two years – and Clare Calbraith, who played DI Skillen in…

The Panesars aren’t the only characters Dayle has enjoyed filming with recently – he’s also had a hoot sharing the screen with Tameka Empson, when her character Kim set up Peter and Ash as part of her new Foxcatcher dating agency. “Oh, my gosh, that was so funny!” he chuckles. “Tameka will come in at 8am for our first scene, and as I’m walking on set, I can just hear her laughter! Every time we’re in a scene together, it’s just so funny and well-written. I don’t really have to act, I just sit there and react. Tameka’s a very funny person, and a larger-than-life character.”…

“I was sat with Billy Price [aka Sid] when the scripts came out, and I had no idea Sid was going to die!” exclaims Gabriel Clark, who plays guilt-ridden Ollie Morgan, of Hollyoaks’ latest shock twist. “When I read it, I got so emotional that I started crying! I get on with Billy so well, and he was fantastic in giving me advice when I started. So seeing what happened to Sid, and how much Ollie is responsible for his death, it was shocking and exciting all at once.” It’s safe to say that we were all horrified when Victor took Sid’s life, although there could be worse to come, as Ollie grows determined to bring an end to Victor’s reign of terror over the young people in the village.…

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EASTENDERS Mother knows best? JEAN TAKES MATTERS INTO HER OWN HANDS… As things between Stacey and Ruby worsen next week, Jean is growing increasingly concerned for her daughter. Recent events have seen the former best friends at loggerheads, and with Martin and Kush also now involved, Jean feels she’s watching her family’s future fall apart before her eyes. So, she decides to sort things out – but will Jean’s tendency to act now and think later really help bring peace to this war on the Square? EMMERDALE Will power! As troubled Harriet’s situation continues next week, Will tries hard to keep it together – but when Kim unexpectedly makes her presence felt, can Will maintain control? CORRIE Double trouble! Sean is determined to succeed with his make-up venture next week,…