Inside Soap UK 50-2025

The Inside Soap office has been a real hive of activity this week, as we’ve travelled up and down the country doing photo shoots and interviews for our bumper Christmas mag. We’ll be bringing you the most gorgeous festive pictures alongside the juiciest gossip that any soap fan could wish for – but will we be making all your Yuletide dreams come true by featuring your fave stars? Pick up our double issue when it’s out on Tuesday 9 December to find out for yourselves! “Moira wallops Celia round the chops!” Before we get to that, though, there’s a double return in Walford this week as both Max Branning and Linda Carter arrive back on the Square at exactly the same time. What are the chances? Could this be the…

First with the week’s HOTTEST headlines Lives are on the line in Walford this week when a huge fire rips through No.25 – with Zoe trapped inside! Oscar stages a daring rescue attempt, and while the building burns there are more shocks in store for the locals as secrets are revealed and familiar faces return… “It’s one drama after another, and it’s not even Christmas yet!” begins our EastEnders insider. “Zoe is pleased to have a friend in Lauren, though she’s bringing a whole load of trouble to her door – quite literally, when her house goes up in smoke! Meanwhile, Jasmine and Max are back in the Square, and there’s a stalker still at large. The nightmare before Christmas is about to begin!” Backstory revealed! No.25 is a hive…

Max Branning makes a surprise return this week, fuelling an explosive chain of events in Albert Square. His homecoming shatters the lives of several residents, and leaves more than one family wishing he’d stayed away for longer! “With impeccable timing, Max turns up unannounced on the day of the fire at No.25,” says our Square spy. “Talk about making an entrance! Nobody’s exactly rolling out the red carpet for him, but Max doesn’t care – and he’s soon making his presence felt…” Within hours of his sudden reappearance, Max is holding a vigil at Oscar’s bedside as his son recovers from the fire. Max also comes face-to-face with ex-lover Zoe, who survived the blaze thanks to Oscar’s act of bravery. The last time Zoe saw Max, he rejected her hoping…

Brace yourselves for emotional scenes in Corrie this week, as Todd’s physical abuse at the hands of Theo is depicted through doorbell, CCTV and police body cam footage. Will Todd finally be freed from Theo? After police rush to the Street following a report of a domestic incident, Todd’s ordeal is brought to life by flashbacks that uncover the events that led to the cops being called; all of which has been recorded by Todd’s own hidden camera, CCTV and police body cams… “Todd’s camera is to potentially protect Todd from what Theo might do, but he subconsciously wants to start keeping a record of how bad the abuse is becoming,” says Gareth Pierce, who plays Todd. “It’s not necessarily because he intends to show the footage to anybody at…

It’s not always been the way, but in recent years, Todd has been there for his mates in their hour of need, which makes his reluctance to confide in them about Theo’s abuse all the more heartbreaking to watch. Billy and Sarah have both clung onto their closeness with Todd, but like many victims of abuse, Todd has become highly skilled at hiding his real emotions. It’s not an easy state of mind for any actor to portray – so, for Gareth, what is the toughest part of acting out Todd’s turmoil as he continues to suffer? “Do you know what? The hardest part of Todd’s isolation is that it’s taking me away from all my best friends in the cast too!” exclaims the actor. “I adore working with all…

Celia drips poison in Laurel’s ear this week, with the cruel intention to destroy Ray’s budding romance! Will Celia’s cunning plot succeed in driving the two lovebirds away from each other? “Celia can’t bear the idea of Ray being close to anyone…” While joining Laurel and Ray for a spot of dinner, Celia comes to realise that her son is far too infatuated with Laurel for her liking. As a result, Celia thinks fast and advises Laurel that Ray is a manipulative, emotionally-distant playboy who will do her no good! Will Laurel believe Celia’s words? “Celia can’t bear the idea of Ray being close to anyone but her!” grimaces our Emmerdale informant. “Ray knows this, so when he first learns that Celia plans to join him and Laurel for a…