Inside Soap UK 12 - 2021

Time seems to go quickly in soaps, as I realised this week when we celebrated 20 years of Coronation Street’s Fiz. Actress Jennie McAlpine had plenty to say about her arrival on the cobbles two decades ago, and also spilled the beans on Fiz’s future now that the huge Alina bombshell has blown her life apart. “I enjoy our catch-ups with ex-soap stars…” We take another step back in time this issue, as we enjoy a chat with Tony Discipline and Matt Lapinskas – aka EastEnders’ Tyler and Anthony Moon –who look back on their time on the Square a decade ago. I find these catch-ups fascinating, especially because the stars can now talk about their experience a little more candidly than they could at the time, and also reflect…

Mick and Linda are finally back in their rightful place this week – behind the bar of the Queen Victoria Public House! Yet their homecoming is upstaged by more drama, as Mick receives some news about Katy’s arrest… The Carters were forced to sell their beloved boozer in the wake of Linda’s alcohol addiction, after Mick realised that being around the demon drink 24/7 wasn’t helping his missus in her recovery. But the couple have been to hell and back since leaving the pub, and now both of them believe that the Queen Vic is where they truly belong… “Mick and Linda were born to run a pub!” declares our Walford insider. “They’re both at their best when they’re pulling pints and serving their public, and they’ve both struggled to…

It’s not just Mick and Linda who are delighted to be back behind the bar of the Queen Vic – EastEnders stars Kellie Bright and Danny Dyer, who play the pub landlords, tell us that it’s a pretty special place for both of them, too… “The Vic is one of those sets that feels very iconic, so when you’re in it, you feel as though you’re in old-school EastEnders,” grins Kellie. “And I really love that, so I’ve always enjoyed being there. Plus, I quite like having business when I’m working. When I’m doing scenes, it’s useful sometimes to be busy, so I like it. “Being behind the bar is a vocation for Linda,” she adds. “So as much as I think she really liked working in the launderette, because…

Terrified Leanne is arrested this week, after she reports drugs boss Harvey – however, the police want her help to trap him. Although she’s started dealing to protect Simon from wicked Harvey, Leanne realises that she has to come clean following a distressing experience during a deal. Simon has no idea that his mother has taken his role in Harvey’s empire, as Leanne continues to hide the shocking truth from those who love her. However, when she becomes embroiled in two awful situations while carrying out Harvey’s dirty work, Leanne realises she needs to get out. “Everything Leanne is doing is to save Simon – nevertheless she’s putting herself in real danger!” warns our cobbles insider. “She almost gets caught by police doing a routine check after a spate of…

Natasha makes a move on Nick this week, after he mistakenly believes that Leanne is cheating on him. Nick goes to Leanne’s flat, and realises that she’s hiding a man in her bedroom – having no idea that Leanne’s become involved with drug lord Harvey. After everything the estranged couple have been through together, Nick is destroyed when he thinks he’s lost Leanne to another man. Toyah also believes that Leanne’s cheating, having seen her sister sloping off with Harvey. Unable to reveal the sickening truth, Leanne can’t correct them. Nick returns home to the flat he’s sharing with his son Sam and Natasha, where his former girlfriend reveals that she still has feelings for him. As Leanne watches Nick, Natasha and son Sam looking like the perfect family, has…

Will seduces Kim again this week, in a drastic attempt to prevent her from discovering Harriet’s cellar secret! With Harriet locked underground, desperate to be punished for her sins, Will has let the locals believe that the vicar has gone on a religious retreat. So when Kim pops by the house and almost uncovers Harriet’s self-imposed prison, Will has to think on his feet… “It’s a very close shave!” explains Dean Andrews, who plays Will. “He comes out of the cellar, but makes out to Kim that he’s been out the back. He tries to be blasé about it, then she hears a noise coming from downstairs, and she has intentions to find out what it is. So basically, Will distracts her with his manly ways!” Harriet has managed to…