Inside Soap UK October 31, 2015

Talk about soap shocks! I’m reeling from last week’s huge revelations – but as always, Inside Soap has the inside story on all of the big cliffhangers. There are secrets from Hollyoaks’ ‘Gloved Hand Killer’ – that’s Sophie Austin, aka Lindsey – on p29, while EastEnders’ Roger Sloman tells us all about alter ego Les’ pal Christine on p17. Elsewhere, we were aghast when Ross was revealed as Robert’s shooter in Emmerdale – but not as shocked as we were at Paddy’s actions in the flashback episode! How could he? The dirty dog himself – or rather, not-so-dirty actor Dominic Brunt – tells us more about that on p44, and reveals that it may not be over. Tsk! But those shocks are so last week. What’s new this week? Well,…

Pregnant Stacey is left reeling this week, after bride-to-be Shabnam confronts her about the true identity of her baby’s father. It all kicks off when Shabs – who’s gearing up to marry Kush – realises that her friend is hiding her baby scan from boyfriend Martin, and wonders what’s behind it. That’s when it dawns on her that Stacey may in fact be keeping a terrible secret… “It’s the only thing that makes sense to Shabnam,” says our Walford source. “It’s a shock that Stacey could be capable of deceiving Martin in this way – she’s always seemed so upfront and honest. If Stace is lying, Shabnam knows there must be a good reason.” MIRACLE BABY Stacey’s pregnancy is the talk of Walford following her ‘electrifying’ experience on Halloween. The…

Shabnam is shocked that Stacey might be hiding the mother, or rather father, of all secrets – but imagine how Martin would react if he found out he wasn’t the dad. We quizzed actor James Bye on what he reckons his alter ego might feel… “Martin is in love with Stacey, and he desperately wants to have a family again,” says the star. “Martin wears his heart on his sleeve, so he wouldn’t be able to bottle up his feelings at all if it turned out the child wasn’t his.” Martin was completely besotted with Stacey even before there was a baby on board. So would there be some way for the couple to survive this bombshell? “I don’t know,” admits James. “Did the baby make it more serious between…

Nikhil endures a painful return to Emmerdale this week – and not just because hothead Ross punches him in the face! Not only are the Sharmas in crisis over Jai’s meltdown, but Nikhil is also struggling with memories of his late wife Gennie, brought back by his visit. So when he sees Debbie, whom he blames for Gennie’s death, he lets rip. Unfortunately for Nikhil, Debbie’s boyfriend Ross is passing by… “Imagine coming face to face with the person responsible for the death of the woman you loved most in the world,” says Rik Makarem, who returns as Nikhil after two years. “Nikhil has real hatred for Debbie. He’s shocked when Ross punches him. He’s no idea where this violence has come from, since this is…

With all of his current worries, Nikhil at least has best mate David to lean on when things get tough. It’s a friendship that Rik also treasures, both on screen and in real life with costar Matthew Wolfenden. “Working with Matthew and playing that friendship was one of the most attractive reasons for coming back,” enthuses the star. “We can have a very comedic scene and still find drama in it, and vice versa. “I’ve developed as an actor and also as a person, so I see this as phase two of being in Emmerdale. It’s a real opportunity to see how the wisdom I’ve gained will play out now I’m back…”…

With the truth now out that she slept with Jason, Alya is in for a hellish time this week – as her former fiancé Gary goes missing. The wedding is now well and truly off, and Alya’s nearest and dearest are fuming, leaving the lass traumatised with shame. Feeling guilty that Gary has gone AWOL, Alya is forced to face the wrath of his family as well as the disappointment of her own loved ones. And as her outraged brother Zeedan lies in wait for Jason at the builders’ yard, determined to make him pay, just how much more can poor Alya take? “It’s going to be a hard slog for her,” sighs Sair Khan, who plays Alya. “At the moment she’s trying to pick up the pieces of her…