Inside Soap UK 15 - 2018

“Doesn’t time fly in soapland?” Doesn’t time fly in soaps? It doesn’t seem five minutes ago that Richard Blackwood arrived as Vincent Hubbard. I remember the poor lad had the unenviable task of doing his first scene live during the show’s 30th birthday celebrations – talk about adding pressure! We’ve seen Vincent through the tortured affair with Ronnie Mitchell and the shocking death of Fatboy (I still believe old Fats is out there somewhere, waiting to return and make Dot’s day!). But I’ve enjoyed the henpecked Vincent, constantly trying to hold back Kim’s bling-encrusted delusions of gandeur – and normally failing. Tameka Empson (Kim) and Richard have been one of our favourite soap couples of recent times, and Richard pays tribute to his co-star – while looking back at his…

“Michelle doesn’t give Carla a chance – that’s them done” There’s hell to pay for Carla this week, after Michelle stumbles upon the truth about her best mate’s latest fella – it’s her estranged son Ali! Michelle is shattered when she realises Carla is having it away with her son, who recently returned to the cobbles. Although Carla tries to explain herself, her pal is having none of it – so could Carla’s lust end up destroying her closest friendship? “Michelle and Carla are like sisters, so this couldn’t be any worse!” groans Alison King, who plays the conflicted cougar. “From Carla’s point of view, Ali is a grownup man now – he’s fit, she’s a red-blooded girl, so she gave in while it was on offer! She tried to…

her alter ego’s car-crash bond with Peter. “She needs a rugged man. Perhaps Nick should come back, or maybe [it could be] Imran – but I’m not sure he’s rough enough for her.” However, if there’s one man Alison is certain she wants in Carla’s life, it’s Roy. “I adore Carla’s relationship with him,” says the star. “I like the awkward dynamic in the house they share. It’s really growing, and I’m loving that.” Carla is discovering that handsome Ali could be more trouble than he’s worth, but Ms Connor does like to have a man in her life! Viewers were intrigued by a couple of cosy scenes between her and her ex Peter recently – and it’s something Alison herself has noted… “I think the Peter-Carla-Toyah angle is very…

Terrified Liv faces the consequences of spiking Lisa’s drink with ketamine this week, as she and her co-conspirator Gabby stand trial. Despite attempts by the Dingles – including Lisa – to stop the prosecution going ahead, the CPS won’t let the matter drop, and the girls must appear in court. Having both admitted their part in the near-fatal incident, they know that there will be punishment for the crime, and both families are frightened that they’ll be sent down. Worse still, at the last minute, Liv’s solicitor is replaced and everything changes – including Lisa’s plan to speak up for her. “Lisa wanted to explain to the court that Liv’s a good girl, really,” explains Jane Cox, who plays the Dingle matriarch. “She wanted this lass to learn the lesson…

Lisa’s decision to call the police on Liv has sent shock waves through the Dingle family – and in the aftermath of the trial, things reach crisis point between her and Zak… Hi, Jane. How bad is it between Zak and Lisa? He can’t bear to look at her! Zak completely agrees with the rest of the family that she’s not fit to be a Dingle any more. As you can imagine, Lisa is heartbroken and isolated. What happens when the pair return home after the verdict has been delivered? Zak doesn’t really talk to Lisa on the way back, but when they get home, he turns on her! He’s completely horrible and goes off – despite the fact that Lisa is recovering from a heart attack. After their massive…

There’s big trouble for Michelle this week – when Mel accuses her of trying to seduce her son Hunter! Accusations fly after the shamed teacher arrives to begin her tutoring gig with the bad boy, only to discover him half-dressed and in the midst of a passionate encounter with Louise. Although Michelle reluctantly agrees to keep what she’s seen a secret – Louise having begged her to stay shtum – that doesn’t stop everything kicking off as twisted Hunter insists she attempted to kiss him! “Being accused of molesting another student is Michelle’s worst nightmare,” sighs our Walford snitch. “Her affair with schoolboy Preston cost Michelle everything, including her marriage and her career. It’s taken a long time for her to rebuild her life and regain the trust of those…