Inside Soap UK 47 - 2022

We pay tribute this week to the actor Bill Treacher, who died recently. Bill’s EastEnders character, Arthur Fowler, may have been less obviously headline-grabbing than some of the other originals – such as Den and Angie, or Nasty Nick – but he was surely the most human. A decent man beset by the same mundane weaknesses as us all, Arthur stole the ‘Christmas Club’ money in a vain attempt to save his pride and give his only daughter the wedding of her dreams. Disgrace followed – yet has an ordinary man’s breakdown ever been better played on TV? Arthur’s gurgling, sobbing wail of despair still echoes down the years. “A decent man beset by mundane weakness” As well it might. The same episode as “Happy Christmas, ’Ange”, Arthur’s impotent flailing…

There’s a nasty accident at Walford East tube station this week, leaving Janine terrified she’ll lose her baby – and Linda’s left holding her hand... The drama kicks off after Janine falls down the stairs at the station, and worried onlookers call the paramedics. Mick’s back at the Vic as the fall happens, though Linda spots the drama unfolding and races over to check on Janine. However, when she offers to run to fetch Mick, terrified Janine begs Linda not to leave her. “This is a nightmare come true for any mum-to-be – Janine is worried sick,” explains our Walford insider. “Although Linda is her bitter enemy, she’s at least a face that Janine knows among a sea of strangers. She’s terrified of being alone and losing her baby, especially…

There can’t be many people rooting for Queen of Mean Janine these days, but Walford’s very own Lacey Turner is the exception to the rule. When we caught up with her at the Inside Soap Awards, All-Time Icon winner Lacey let slip that she’s feeling bad for her old screen foe. Who can forget the catfights and rivalry between Stacey and Janine, especially when fighting over Ryan Malloy? Yet, now she’s watching the Mick, Linda and Janine love triangle play out, Lacey is resolutely Team Janine. “As a viewer, I love Janine at the moment,” confides the star. “I feel so sorry for her, and I don’t know why – she’s a terrible human being! It’s funny, but lately, when I watch, I just feel bad for her.”…

This is the moment that damaged Hope turns copycat killer – as she picks up a hammer and looks set to repeat a brutal crime once committed by her late father, John Stape! Following the release of a book telling the story of John’s murder spree, jaw-dropping drama unfolds after Hope is the victim of yet more bullying at school. She overhears two fellow pupils calling her names, and responds by re-enacting scenes of utter horror… “Hope has set fires, staged a young boy’s disappearance and caused criminal damage – yet no one seems prepared to accept that she might just be her father’s daughter,” despairs our Weatherfield insider. “Fiz and Tyrone need to get a handle on the situation – and fast!” While Hope’s parents have tried and failed…

Dotty Cotton EastEnders After a since-scrapped storyline twist saw Dotty learn that uncle Rocky was her old man, it turned out that she was his brother Nasty Nick’s daughter after all. Dotty’s no murderer, but plotting and scheming runs in the blood. Marcus Dean Emmerdale Emmerdale held its breath when the son of Pierce Harris rocked up in the village, but Marcus is worlds away from his monster dad. Truthfully, we’re still waiting for him to get going! Chelsea Fox EastEnders Having a serial killer for a dad hasn’t much fazed Chelsea. In fact, Lucas’ criminal record worked to her advantage when she was looking for a willing scapegoat to be a drugs mule.…

Trapped Mack braces himself to be honest with Charity this week – after she discovers Chloe is pregnant! He’s horrified when Charity comes home from work and tells him about Chloe’s secret baby. The young mum-to-be accidentally lets the cat out of the bag, and Charity is trying to be there for her. But little does she know that the baby’s father is her own boyfriend. And now Mack is faced with a terrible choice… “Time’s up for Mackenzie!” chuckles our Dales insider. “This secret is going to blow his world apart. When he was busy intimidating Chloe to keep quiet about their one-night stand, he didn’t realise she was expecting. But now he’s going to be a dad whether he likes it or not – and Charity is not…