Inside Soap UK 37 - 2018

“The twists and turns get more twisty and turny!” It’s such an action-packed week in the soaps this issue, we can hardly keep up! I’ve been gripped by the twisty-turny saga of Emmerdale’s Lachlan and Rebecca, and although we now know Rebecca’s alive and well (or alive and highly medicated, to be more accurate!), those twists and turns just keep getting more twisty and turny. Turn to p22 for all the latest drama! Elsewhere, we all had an inkling that Jim’s return to Corrie wasn’t quite on the level, and we’re about to discover just how twisted his plan is – see p24 for an update on that. Over in Walford, Hayley is getting comfy at the Slaters’ after a distinctly rocky start, but her feet are about to be…

The moment of truth arrives for the Carter family this week, when Stuart wakes from his coma – and names Mick as the person who shot him! After word gets back to the Queen Vic, Mick and Linda are confronted with the decision of whether or not to make a run for it. But time isn’t on their side – and the pub is soon swarming with police… “Mick is a popular character that a lot of people love, so I’m expecting a big reaction from the viewers when he’s carted off to prison!” exclaims Ricky Champ, who plays twisted Stuart. “I think this is going to underpin Stuart’s status as a villain and a horrible person, who has been hell-bent on destroying the Carters.” “Stuart really comes into his…

Worlds away from his menacing EastEnders alter ego, Ricky is a very happy-go-lucky and fun-loving soul as he takes us behind the scenes of Stuart’s shooting… Gosh, Ricky! Is it really exciting to be part of a Walford ‘whodunnit?’ Oh yes, as there have been some brilliant ones in the past. It’s really cemented the idea that I’m part of a golden lineage of EastEnders villainy! What did you think when you found out that Stuart was going to be shot? I’ve known for a while – and to be honest with you, I thought that was going to be it for him. When I saw in the script that Stuart would survive, my reaction was, “Thank God”! Do you know who shot Stuart – and…

If Stuart pointing the finger at Mick wasn’t enough to seal his fate, the investigating officers are also very keen to hear from his daughter, Zara – who backs up her father’s story after he accuses Mick of having a motive for attempted murder. “Obviously we know that their relationship has been quite fractious in the past – but I think that Stuart is going to use his time at the hospital to play the victim and try to get his daughter back onside,” Ricky tells us. “There is a possibility that she will become another pawn in his devious games, though by no means is Zara completely innocent. She is her father’s daughter, after all!”…

Drugged-up Ross collapses while out with little son Moses this week, leaving the toddler to wander off entirely alone. “Moses is wandering alone – he could come to serious harm…” After spending the past few weeks regularly taking cocaine, Ross is in a state and scaring the people around him. Pals Tracy and Ryan both beg him to stop doing drugs, fearing he could die. But having begun using the substance to help manage his mental torment, acid-attack victim Ross won’t heed their warnings. That’s until he suddenly drops to the floor clutching his chest while playing football with Moses. “If Ross survives to realise the terrible consequences of this collapse, it could be his worst nightmare,” says our Dales source. “Moses is tiny, and is wandering the Dales alone,…

Village favourite Michael Parr has played hard man Ross Barton for half a decade – though with his Dales departure imminent, the star is getting ready for the unknown… “The world’s my oyster, and I’m ready to go!” he shares. “I need to keep my foot in the door, so I’ll be sending letters and auditioning. For the past five years, I’ve watched my bank balance go up and up, and now for the first time in a while I won’t have a job – and I’ll watch it go down!” While we’re sure talented Mike won’t be short of offers, it’s clear that the actor is someone who’ll need to be kept busy in the interim. “I’ll freak out!” he admits. “I’ll be that guy in the gym all…