Inside Soap UK 26 - 2020

“We appreciate your loyalty to Inside Soap!” As I type this, it’s exactly 100 days since we left the Inside Soap office. I don’t think any of us back then thought we’d be away for this long, or predicted the huge effect it would have on our lives and on our soaps. But in a way, it’s an amazing achievement that it’s only been 100 days, because in that short time, the soaps have embraced a whole new way of working – which is no mean feat for productions so huge. This week, Emmerdale brings us our first ‘proper’ episodes filmed under the new conditions – well, more like half-episodes as some material was filmed before lockdown – and I can’t wait to marvel at their ingenuity in getting the show…

The tragic news that Oliver has an incurable form of mitochondrial disease sends his mother Leanne spiralling into denial this week, and lashing out at those closest to her. Distraught by the medical verdict, Leanne refuses to believe what doctors are saying about her little boy and demands a second opinion. While Steve, Nick and the rest of the family try their best to calm her down, Leanne insists that Oliver needs to be seen by another specialist. Her furious reaction leaves her loved ones worried about what she’ll do next, as she refuses to back down. “This will put a huge strain on the people around Leanne…” “She deals with the diagnosis in true Battersby form,” sighs Jane Danson, who plays the shattered mum. “We’ll see Leanne pushing people…

Simon eavesdrops on a devastating confession from Leanne this week, that sends his world crashing down around him. The teen is deeply hurt after he overhears Leanne telling Steve that Oliver, her biological child, is all she ever wanted and when he dies, she’ll have nothing. Leanne might not be Simon’s birth mum, yet she’s everything to him, and he feels utterly rejected by her words. “Simon feels as if he’s worthless to Leanne, and the fact he’s not her blood family makes him irrelevant compared with Oliver,” says our cobbles spy. “Of course, that’s not true, and Leanne doesn’t think when she says what she says. But her words send Simon spiralling and, since he’s in the middle of his exams, it’s the worst possible time for him.” When…

Harriet fails to show up for an important meeting with the Bishop this week – after finally confessing that she’s having doubts about marrying Will. In turmoil, Harriet can’t face sitting down with her boss to discuss the nuptials. Instead, she meets secret lover Malone in the vestry. She’s adamant that their affair must stop, but Malone refuses to leave the village. Could Will be close to discovering that the woman he wants to marry is romantically entangled with his arch- enemy? Katherine Dow Blyton (Harriet) is here to tell us more… Hi Katherine, we think Harriet’s playing with fire right now. Is the pressure getting to her? It’s getting very stressful! Harriet loves Dawn and Lucas, and she’s fooling herself that if she can just make this work with…

Dales villain Malone will be back to his hell-raising ways on screen this week, and actor Mark Womack cannot wait for his village comeback. During the lockdown, Mark has been at home with wife Samantha – aka EastEnders’ Ronnie Mitchell – and their children. We caught up with him just before he went back up north to film, and he told us he’s excited to get going. “I’m really glad to be back,” explains Mark. “I have mates who have everything collapsing around them – theatre tours, shows, and so on. It’s really nice to think, ‘I’m back off to work’. I’m having a great time at Emmerdale!” But the big question is: does Malone love Harriet, or is it all a game? “He definitely has feelings for Harriet,” says…

SHIRLEY Now Phil’s a single man, it can’t be long before Shirley makes her move – she’d gladly join in any plot against Shazza. BEN Phil’s obsession with buying the Vic led to Ben losing all his hearing. What state will he be in by the autumn? PHIL He hates losing, and is always at his most dangerous when he’s out for revenge. One way or another, Phil is going to do everything he can in order to topple Sharon… CALLUM His complaints about Phil being a bully prompted Mick to find a new buyer. Will Phil discover the part of his son’s boyfriend in his downfall? SHARON She’s got her pub back, but how will Sharon have coped when we return to Walford after a summer of lockdown, with…