Inside Soap UK 21 - 2017

 he great thing about the soaps is the infinite variety of stories they can tell. I mean, just this week alone, we have everything from a baby born in a shed in the Australian outback to a man drowning in quicksand near Southport, via the dangers of having sex on top of several thousand pounds’ worth of chocolate swans. (And if you have been affected by any of these issues, please call, respectively: the midwife, the coastguard and the Thorntons helpline.) “I can guarantee big drama ahead” However, if I had to name my favourite type of soap storyline, it would be that old favourite: “I’m pregnant! But who’s the father?!”. And that’s exactly what’s happening on p12, as a Walford lady discovers she’s in the family way. And while…

Brace yourselves for one of the most thrill-packed weeks of the soap year, as Coronation Street detonates the bombs that have been ticking away at the heart of three of their biggest stories. It’s become an annual tradition for Corrie to shift to a 9pm time slot for the nights of the Britain’s Got Talent semifinals. Sandwiched between the live shows and the voting results, and with the whole country watching, the Street always delivers a stunning week of episodes. Think of wicked Tony Gordon’s siege of Underworld, the murder of Tina McIntyre or the Victoria Court fire… These storylines all had the nation talking during Britain’s Got Talent week. This year, Corrie’s post-watershed time slot will bring shocking and violent twists in the story of…

“Bethany thinks that this is what being in a relationship is all about” Bethany’s harrowing ordeal hurtles towards a dramatic showdown this week, as her horrified family finally see Nathan’s true colours. The penny drops after Shona finds out that Bethany’s fiancé is the same Nathan who once tried to draw her into the murky world where Sarah’s daughter finds herself trapped. But even as Shona relays the vital information to Bethany’s loved ones, Nathan has struck a deal to pimp her out to more of his friends… “Nathan directs Bethany towards a room with three of his mates, and it looks like she is going to be raped,” explains actress Lucy Fallon, who plays the teen. “She’s drugged and confused – but she knows that she doesn’t want to…

Just because the Platts are finally in the know regarding evil Nathan doesn’t mean Bethany is safe, insists Lucy. “When people start telling her that she’s being groomed, she can’t accept it,” reveals the 21-year-old actress. “An important part of telling this story is that a lot of survivors say they still couldn’t see what was happening until a long time after it had been exposed. “We know that Bethany’s story is going to continue running through the summer and into the autumn,” adds Lucy. “Both Coronation Street and the NSPCC have had a say in how things conclude, and I think it’s going to be a really good ending.”…

There’s a terrifying showdown in store for Ken this week, as he finally confronts the person who tried to kill him. Facing the violent fiend, Ken takes his life in his hands as he demands to know why his assailant wanted him dead. But can they be reasoned with? “Ken has his attacker bang to rights!” says our Corrie spy. “Of course, he’s horrified to have realised who they are. But rather than run a mile, he’s desperate to know the truth of what happened and why it happened – no matter how dangerous the consequences.” The penny drops for Ken when he spots a pair of trainers that he recognises as being worn by his attacker on the night of his horrific fall. Bravely deciding to confront the owner…

“Nick ends up exposing his own personality flaws and issues…” There’s horror at the beach for Nick this week – when he is trapped in quicksand after a big fight with Leanne! But will anyone hear his screams for help? The seaside sojourn is suggested by Nick as a way to prove that he’s willing to play happy families with sworn enemies Steve and Peter, as well as fiancée Leanne and their children. But far from helping to forge a truce, Nick instead lashes out and shows his true colours to Leanne. When she storms off in shock, infuriated Nick stomps away from exasperated Steve and Peter. However, he’s soon wishing that he’d kept his enemies closer… “He hasn’t bargained on the tide or the quicksand!” says Ben Price, who…