Inside Soap UK 25 - 2020

“I’m excited to watch classic EastEnders…” This week, we take a trip down memory lane, as EastEnders unveils its first Secrets From The Square episode, in which stars of the show look back on their time in Walford. Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright (Mick and Linda) are first up – and knowing these two, it’s bound to be entertaining! However, I think I’m secretly more excited about the classic episodes we’re going to enjoy. This week, we’re taken back to where it all began, with the original power couple of the Queen Vic – Angie and Den! It’ll be interesting to watch these episodes – many of which I haven’t seen since their original transmission – and note how the characters have developed over the years, and how the Square…

“Shona thinks jumping David’s bones will jog her memory…” JULIA David’s prayers are answered this week, when Shona returns to the cobbles properly to live with Roy. There is still a huge mountain to climb in terms of Shona remembering the life that she shared with David, and he knows that the chances of them reconciling are slim at this stage. So, imagine David’s stunned reaction when Shona suddenly throws herself at him – and suggests that they sleep together! “She thinks jumping David’s bones will help jog her memory,” cringes star Julia Goulding, who plays Shona. “Obviously ‘doing it’ is a very personal and intimate thing, and she is willing to try anything that will help her to remember.” For David, though, Shona’s behaviour is a side to his…

Enemies Marlon and Al are forced to face up to their failings as dads this week, after being thrown into lockdown together by Ellis. Having to isolate away from children April and Leo following a coronavirus scare, Marlon is already struggling. So, when Ellis asks Al – who has nowhere else to go – to join them at Tall Trees, he’s not exactly thrilled! Marlon blames Al for destroying his marriage to Jessie, while Al thinks Marlon is an overwrought muppet. And it’s left to poor Ellis to referee as the two men face an extended period of lockdown together… “Marlon is incandescent with rage – he loathes Al,” explains Mark Charnock, who plays the angry bloke. “He’s astounded that Ellis would think this is okay. He wants Al to…

Since he arrived in Emmerdale, Al has played his cards very close to his chest, so actor Michael Wildman – who plays Al – is delighted we’re getting to spend this episode with him. “We do learn more about Al,” he says. “Any insight into Al is always exciting and helpful for me. We don’t know much about his background, so it’s intriguing because I can play him either way! “Our episode is about fatherhood, and it’s incredibly clever and well-written,” continues Michael. “Strange things happen throughout. The experience could help Al try to be a better person, but whether he can do that, we’ll just have to wait and see! “I jumped at the chance to get back to work – I was starting to get itchy after eight…

PC George Kiss gets serious about nailing the drug dealers at Hollyoaks High this week – and brings in the sniffer dogs! It’s clear to both police and teachers there is a serious drug problem in the school, yet so far George has been unable to uncover any hard evidence to prove it. So will his latest attempts to catch the culprits be successful? “George’s number-one priority is trying to help these kids before it goes too far,” reveals Callum Kerr, who plays the copper. “He knows this could kick-start a life of crime, so he wants to nip it in the bud before things get too serious. He also wants to save the kids from the more dangerous people they’re working for – and he hopes they will eventually…

So far, we like what we’ve seen of PC George Kiss – but how much do we really know about him? John Paul is only just getting acquainted with his new beau, and Callum reckons there could be a lot more to his alter ego than meets the eye… “I think more will come out during his chats with John Paul,” he teases. “I’m sure there’s a lot to his past than we know. People don’t tend to become police officers for no reason – often it’s because of something bad that happened in their past where they felt helpless, or were bullied. So I’m looking forward to delving into George’s backstory a bit more, and peeling back the layers as his relationship with JP blossoms.”…