Inside Soap UK 20 - 2018

“Are you excited for the Royal wedding?” Are you all excited about the Royal wedding? Well, sadly I’m a bit disappointed in it. If a wedding doesn’t have the potential for some jiltings, adultery revelations, paternity shocks, or just a good old punch-up at the altar, I kinda lose interest. In fact, the only shock left to be revealed at the wedding is the design of Meghan’s frock – so we thought we’d help her out, just in case she’s having a last-minute panic (you never know, she might be!), with a bit of soapie inspiration. Turn to p50 to see the potential gowns we’ve picked out for her. And if she emerges from that horse-drawn carriage on Saturday sporting ‘The Rita’, I’m taking full credit for her choice! Elsewhere…

Prepare for shocking scenes in Albert Square this week, as EastEnders tackles the issue of knife crime – with devastating consequences. When teenage pals Keegan and Shakil cross a violent gang, the situation spirals rapidly out of control – leaving both boys in mortal danger after the pair of them are brutally stabbed. While Keegan is found just in time to be saved from his life-threatening injuries, it’s a different story for poor Shakil – who passes away soon after he’s rushed to hospital. And as Carmel and her eldest boy Kush collapse in grief for the loss of their beloved Shaki, the entire Walford community is shocked to the core… “Every friend and neighbour feels Kush and Carmel’s pain,” sighs our Albert Square spy. “They…

What’s it been like, playing out such a dramatic storyline? It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my life. It’s a privilege to be part of a story raising awareness about knife crime – it’s such an important issue to tackle. We’ve been working really closely with the Ben Kinsella Trust [the charity launched by ex-EastEnders star Brooke Kinsella after her brother was fatally stabbed in 2008]. Is there anything you’ve learned from the story? Just the scale of the problem. I’ve been keeping an eye on the reality of knife crime – and seeing how much of an issue it is is shocking. How does it feel for this to be your exit story? I’m really proud. I was excited when I was first told the idea. Hopefully it…

This is the shocking moment when pregnant Nicola’s comatose body is discovered at the bottom of the stairs at No 11 – after Eileen’s stalker strikes again! For a number of weeks, Phelan’s traumatised wife has been the target of a vicious hate campaign that has included silent phone calls and criminal damage to her property. However, the perpetrator ups the ante this week by sneaking into Eileen’s home to spook her – as viewers finally learn the culprit’s identity. “In a horrifying twist, pregnant Nicola is caught in the crossfire when she hears a suspicious noise inside the house – which causes her to take a terrifying tumble,” reports our Weatherfield insider. “She is knocked out cold and bleeding, and her unborn baby is in danger too. Both of…

As Nicola and his baby fight for their lives, Gary sets off on a mission to track down the man at the root of all their problems – and finally manages to locate wicked Phelan! Viewers know Phelan is alive and plotting his next move but, aside from the sinister campaign targeting Eileen, there is no other reason for the Weatherfield locals to suspect he is still out there. However, prior to Nicola’s fall, she gets chatting online to someone who she thinks is a fellow mum-to-be living in Wales – prompting Gary’s sixth sense to worry that Nicola’s new friend might not be as they seem… “The town Abergele keeps popping up in this chat room that Nicola is talking about, leaving Gary with a hunch that the person…

Rape victim Bethany is gradually getting her life back on track, but her happiness looks set to be sabotaged with the news that Weatherfield newcomer Kayla is not all she seems. Reports claim that the Speed Daal waitress, who’s already narked Bethany by taking a shine to Craig, is actually the daughter of Neil Clifton – the police sergeant who raped Bethany when she was being groomed by nasty Nathan Curtis! “Part of Neil’s defence at his trial was that he had children of his own, and a daughter close to Bethany’s age,” our cobbles source reminds us. “If Kayla really is the girl in question, she’ll know that her father was sent to prison for what he did to Bethany. But why is she keeping her true identity a…