Inside Soap UK 05 - 2021

“You can’t move for thrills and spills this week…” Considering everyone has to stay socially distanced when filming, it’s amazing how much action the soaps are still managing to pack into their episodes at the moment. As you can see from our high-octane front cover, you can’t move for thrills and spills this week. Emmerdale sees not only arson, but also an armed and dangerous rampage to add to the fun. In Corrie, we have a car-crash drama, as poor Summer finds herself on the wrong side of a speeding Chevrolet Kalos. But over in Albert Square, I reckon Denise might prefer to take on a medium-priced hatchback at 40mph, rather than what’s coming at her this week – as she faces the moment when her twisted ex Lucas snaps!…

This is the moment that Moira storms Home Farm armed with a shotgun – and pulls the trigger! All hell breaks loose after her brother Mack gets one over on the Tate family, prompting loose cannon Jamie to head to Butlers Farm with a petrol can. But he fails to realise that Kyle is playing inside the barn as he goes to set the building on fire, leading to terrifying consequences – and Moira hell-bent on revenge… “After Kyle gets caught in the crossfire of Jamie and Mack’s feud, Moira sees red,” says our Dales spy. “She doesn’t care how powerful the Tate clan is, and how much she stands to lose by taking them on. You hurt Moira’s family – and she hurts you!” The drama unfolds after it’s…

Life in the country has been far from quiet since Mackenzie showed up – and star Lawrence Robb is loving every second… Hi, Lawrence! What have you made of Mack’s plotting so far? It’s been a total roller coaster! He’s always up to no good, and enjoys making life tricky for Moira and other people in the village. Mack is still very much focussed on this vendetta, though we will get to see a more human side to him that we haven’t seen before. Does he feel responsible for Kyle ending up in danger? I don’t think Mack thinks Jamie has it in him to kill a kid. He knows that Jamie definitely has it in him to set the barn alight, though, and Mack has poked the bear enough.…

Terror unfolds for Paul and Billy this week, when teen Summer is knocked down by a car – after she disturbs Will ransacking their flat. The terrified youngster rushes into the road after finding Will in her home, unaware that he’s been paid to do it by twisted Todd. Billy and Paul are distraught when they round the corner and see their precious girl lying injured in the road. Soon recriminations are flying, and relationships are pushed to breaking point. “It’s all such a shock!” explains Peter Ash, who plays guilty Paul. “Paul and Billy have just come back from the court where Paul’s got off with a community order, and they are in high spirits. But then they see Summer on the floor. Paul clocks Will, and it’s a…

Paul might be in Billy’s bad books right now, but Peter tells us that he adores his alter ego, even when he makes mistakes… “I have grown to love Paul – I love the character, and the way he’s developed,” enthuses the actor. “I think that we have seen a softer side of him since he’s been with Billy, a lighter side. He’s really developed and turned his life around, and he seems much stronger. I think the Kel stuff – admitting it to his family and Billy – was a turning point. Paul can still be quite volatile and flare up at the slightest thing, but he’s started to control that side of himself more. However, if I were his mate, I’d tell him to wake up a bit…

The shocking truth about Sharon’s attempted murder of husband Ian is exposed this week – as Max brands her a killer! Now Ian has disappeared, his frantic family is searching for him everywhere, but Max believes that Sharon holds the key to the truth. He’s correctly guessed that she was behind the brutal attack that left Ian fighting for life in December. So, as the spotlight falls on the murderous wife, can Sharon dodge their questions? “It’s a heart-stopping moment for Sharon – she’s cornered!” exclaims our Walford insider. “Max is gunning for her, and he won’t stop until Ian is found. Of course, he doesn’t know the full story, including the fact that Ian is still alive. However, without Ian by her side, Sharon arouses suspicion, and the Beales…