Inside Soap UK 11 - 2021

“The classic episodes are as good as you remember” The best thing about this lockdown (oh come on, folks, there has to be something good we get out of it, surely?) is that not only am I able to keep up to date with all the soaps, but I’m even fitting in some extra ones. I’m enjoying squeezing in a bit of Classic EastEnders on Drama, or Classic Corrie and Emmerdale on ITV3, in the day during my lunch break. There have been stonking episodes over the past few months, as you’ll have seen from our weekly Classic Scoop feature. This week in the ‘classics’ is particularly gripping (see p36)… Ian takes a bullet courtesy of Cindy’s hitman in EastEnders, while Chris Tate takes a bang on the head from…

Leanne is forced to go to extreme measures to try to protect her teenage son, Simon, this week – by taking over his role as a drug dealer! The grieving mum was horrified to discover what her lad has been doing in order to make ends meet, so vows to take control of the situation and get him well away from shady drugs boss Harvey. However, when Leanne arranges to meet up with the criminal and cut a deal, things don’t quite go the way she’d planned… “Leanne soon realises that Harvey is not the kind of man to be messed with!” gasps our Street spy. “She thinks she can simply reason with him about the money Simon owes, but Harvey isn’t the type who’s willing to work things out…

There’s disappointment in store for Nick this week, as Natasha returns from London – and he realises that means he’ll have to move out of her flat. Nick took up residence at Natasha’s while she was away for work, and he’s loved spending more time with his son, Sam. Now she’s back, though, it’s time for him to move on. However, when Nick approaches Leanne about living with her, she says it’s too soon – leaving Nick saddened that a reconciliation appears to be off the table. Seeing how down Nick is about Leanne, Natasha tells him he’s welcome to stay on with her and Sam for a while longer. Will Nick take Natasha up on the offer, not realising just how much Leanne needs him?…

Paul’s stag night ends in violence this week, as Vinny finally uncovers the truth about his dad’s recent ‘kidnapping’. “Just like all abusers, Paul tries to turn it on Vinny…” The shaken son confronts Paul about faking his abduction, and vows to tell all to mum Mandy. Cornered, Paul responds in the way we’ve come to expect. However, as he pummels Vinny until he’s on the ground battered and bleeding, it seems this time Paul has crossed a line… “As ever with Paul, when Vinny confronts him, he tries to wriggle out of it,” explains Reece Dinsdale, who plays Paul. “But he runs out of answers, the red mist descends, and again he resorts to violence. Yet this time, something happens – Vinny drops to the deck, and he’s out…

Hi, Reece! This week sees Paul completely lose it – how would he react if he’s actually killed his son? It’s a tough question! I think he would turn himself in – he would know he doesn’t deserve anything after that. But that’s just Reece talking. With Paul, at the very core there’s a good man, but he has been too far lost. How do you wind down after filming such big, intense scenes? Well, I have a six-month-old puppy that’s all over the place, so that’s hardly winding down! But you don’t when you have a major soap storyline, there’s no rest. Your whole weekend is spent learning lines. I like to be with my family, but I don’t get much time at the moment! Are there lighter times…

Terrified Chelsea is forced to face up to her drug-dealing sins this week – as Lucas switches cases with her at the airport, leaving her with the dodgy gear! Having agreed to do Caleb’s bidding to save his daughter, Lucas gets ready to go to the airport with the illegal package, and tensions are high. But when they arrive at security, Lucas grabs Chelsea’s case and gives her his bag instead. Now she has to decide whether it’s worth the risk to see the job through. “Chelsea is terrified – but she believes she has no other choice!” “If Chelsea gets caught, she could get banged up for years,” warns our Walford insider. “But if she chokes, Caleb and his associates will make prison look like a holiday in the…