Inside Soap UK 46 - 2018

What has happened in the world? One second ago it was Bonfire Night, then suddenly we blinked and… IT’S CHRISTMAS! Yep, the shops are full of decorations, the ads are on the telly – but you know what? I don’t mind one bit, because for us soap fans, Christmas and New Year really is the most wonderful time of the year! “We blinked and… IT’S CHRISTMAS” Yes, the soaps are starting to lay all the seeds for their big Yuletide plots, and I can’t wait to see how it all turns out. So we thought starting this week, we’d take a trip down memory lane and remember Christmases past. After a lot of arguments in the office (does death by fairylights trump a butcher-themed wedding, complete with meat cleaver arch…

The Carter family falls apart this week, as Shirley snaps and throws treacherous Linda out on to the street! The fractious situation has been threatening to boil over for the past couple of months, ever since Linda announced that she couldn’t continue to ignore the mounting evidence that her husband really did shoot vile Stuart. While Shirley has been staggered that Linda could even dream about giving up on Mick, she’s gone over the edge completely now that Linda has actually come out in support of Stuart! What on earth is she thinking? “This is the man who cruelly tortured Tina by tying her up in the boot of a car back in 1994,” our Walford insider reminds us. “He’s also the person who has bullied and intimidated Linda on…

Here’s a sight we haven’t seen for a while – Kat Moon serving drinks in the Vic! But what brings her back? The former pub landlady lands on her feet following yet another huge bust-up with her estranged husband Alfie. Anxious Kat gets in touch with the fella by video call, after their disastrous meeting last week. Since then, Alfie has returned to Spain, and Kat begs him once more to let her see her children. Her anguish soon turns to anger, however, when she realises how Alfie has lied to her… Later, distraught Kat skives off from her cleaning shift at the Vic, and instead helps herself to some booze – only to be caught red-handed by Linda! Astonishingly, rather than sacking her corrupt cleaner, Linda takes pity on…

An unlikely partnership is formed in the village this week, as Robert ropes Nicola into a dodgy plot to claw back his stake in the haulage firm. Having lost his share of the business to conniving Joe, Robert wants to turn the tables now the former lord of the manor is no more – and persuades reluctant Nicola to help him. But as they set about conning Graham into signing the important papers, is Nicola ready to see the plan through? “Nicola likes Robert’s idea – they’re both ruthless!” “Nicola likes Robert’s idea initially,” admits Nicola Wheeler, who plays her. “Jimmy has been sent off on a week-long haulage trip because Graham has made a mistake with an order. She’s stuck with a load of sick kids in the haulage…

While Nicola and Robert shared a saucy encounter back in 2002, star Nicola insists their reunion is strictly business, and that her alter ego is embracing domestic bliss with hapless husband Jimmy… “Things are good between them,” claims Nicola. “While she’s realised just how important he is, their lives could be much better with a couple more million quid! “Nicola’s not at all interested in moving into Home Farm or anything like that, though,” adds the actress. “She’s quite happy with her smaller kingdom for now!”…

There’s horror for Michelle this week, as son Ali hits rock bottom and puts his life in danger. The traumatised doctor can’t cope with the guilt of having aided the death of drug dealer Ronan, and is desperate to escape the prison of his own mind. Unable to sleep and in dire need of relief, Ali does the unthinkable and steals drugs from the medical centre. Then he goes out, gets blind drunk, and ends up cracking on to his brother’s girlfriend. “Ali is out of control – and he’s heading for a total meltdown!” “Ali is out of control, and heading for a total meltdown,” warns our Coronation Street insider. “When he starts flirting with Bethany, he isn’t in his right mind – in fact, he’s out of his…