Inside Soap UK 13 - 2017

“Soap is not a less worthy form of TV” The Emmerdale Ashley plot has been praised many times, but as this is – sadly –my final chance to say a few words on it, I’m going to take it. Told over time, with a character we have known for two decades, the slow fading away of Ashley and the effect on his family has been heartbreaking. But as with all life, there have been moments of joy, and amazing displays of human strength. Right at the front of this are John Middleton and Charlotte Bellamy. I’ve spent some time with both of them – and though I’d never be so presumptuous as to call them friends, I certainly know them as people. But once they’re on screen, all they are…

Battered Ken wakes up in a living nightmare this week, as he discovers from the police that he’s been the victim of a would-be murderer – and that the culprit is most likely one of his nearest and dearest! After being found at the bottom of the stairs at No 1, Ken comes to in hospital with no memory of what happened. He’s shocked when the detectives fill him in on their investigation and reveal that they’re convinced someone intended to kill him. The news leaves the Barlow patriarch sick to the stomach as he wonders which of his family could have committed such a heinous crime… “My first question to producers when I found out about this storyline was, ‘Are you writing me out?’” laughs William Roache, who plays…

Motive Ken burnt Adam’s drugs money, leading to his grandson getting beaten up. Ken then ordered Adam to leave town. Whereabouts Despite telling people he was in Canada, Adam was seen on the cobbles the night Ken was attacked. PETER Motive Ken passed on Chloe’s lies about Peter having an affair to Toyah, prompting Toyah to leave Peter. Whereabouts Peter managed to avoid the temptation of booze – but when he left his flat in a rage, was he heading to No 1? DANIEL Motive Daniel recently discovered that Ken’s rant at Sinead led to her deciding to terminate her pregnancy. Whereabouts Daniel was first on the scene after Phelan. Was he planning to ‘discover’ injured Ken? SINEAD Motive Grieving Sinead feels that…

The harsh spotlight of suspicion is turned on Peter this week, when an incriminating message puts him in the frame for Ken’s attempted murder. Desperate Peter spends the early part of the week trying to get hold of Simon’s phone to delete a voice message he left on the night Ken was attacked. However, despite Peter smashing the phone and destroying the SIM card, Simon finds the voicemail when updating his new mobile. The horrified lad can’t believe it as Peter’s message plays and he hears his dad begging for forgiveness and explaining that he needs to get away. Unsure of what to do, Simon plays the message for Leanne and Nick… “It certainly looks bad for Peter,” sighs our Street insider. “Nick goes to Peter and Toyah, and demands…

The matter of Ken’s last will and testament raises issues for Tracy and Adam this week, as they each struggle to find an alibi. Adam has big problems, having already lied about going to Canada and told everyone he only returned after Ken was attacked. Given the very public fight with his grandad, it’s clear he will be suspect number one if he can’t find a cast-iron alibi. And without a flight confirmation, Adam is forced to turn to Rosie for help. “He asks Rosie to give him an alibi,” our source tells us. “When she isn’t keen, he tells Rosie that she has to lie for him or he’ll expose her drug smuggling, ruining Sally’s career as a councillor! Rosie’s left in a quandary. Could she be covering up…

Devastated Sinead hits the bottle this week – and declares that she wishes Ken was dead! Still reeling from her decision to terminate the baby she and Daniel were expecting, Sinead is in a terrible state and has no sympathy for Daniel’s hospitalised dad. In fact, Sinead won’t visit Ken with the Barlows, telling Daniel that she believes only family should be by his side. “The truth is that Sinead can’t stand the sight of Ken, not after his harsh words about her trapping Daniel,” explains our snitch. “She feels that he forced her to get rid of the baby, and her guilt and regret take over.” Sinead’s uncharacteristic behaviour seriously worries her Auntie Beth. She’s already concerned about her vulnerable niece, but when Sinead gets drunk and then declares…