Inside Soap UK 45 - 2022

When we asked our lovely readers to pick an All-Time Soap Icon in honour of our 30th birthday, we had no idea who would end up receiving the accolade. Would it be a soap stalwart, such as Ken Barlow or Kathy Beale, who many of us feel we’ve known all our lives? Would it be a Dales favourite – Kim Tate or Eric Pollard – to mark the soap’s 50th anniversary? Or might readers decide that Neighbours’ Karl and Susan Kennedy should be recognised for their contributions to the recently axed Aussie soap? “Soap viewers can relate to Stacey’s journey” As it turned out, there was one very clear winner, with votes for EastEnders star Lacey Turner far outstripping those for anyone else. And she’s a very worthy winner –…

First with the week’s HOTTEST headlines Hot THIS WEEK!BBC1 WEDNESDAY Linda’s world comes crashing down around her this week, as Mick and Janine make their engagement official! Linda’s ex-hubby and his new squeeze returned to the Square last week, and Janine gleefully revealed to her love rival that Mick had popped the question while they were away. So when Mick surprises Janine by getting down on one knee and officially asking for her hand in marriage, she’s over the moon… “Janine’s on top of the world – she’s got her man, she’s in the Vic, it’s everything she’s ever wanted,” grins Charlie Brooks, who plays her. “But as you know with Janine, drama is never far away – even when there isn’t any, she creates it! But in that moment,…

While Mick plans a future with Janine, Linda’s also moving on – as Sharon sets her up on a blind date! Shazza can see that her best mate is still pining for Mick, and reckons it’s time she got back in the dating game. Yet when Linda’s new man doesn’t show, Alfie steps in to cheer her up – and sparks fly… “Alfie has bundles of charisma, so it’s no surprise he and Linda have red-hot chemistry!” swoons our Square spy. “He sees his mate looking sad and lonely, so he buys her a drink – and Linda has soon forgotten all about being stood up. She’s having way too much fun!” But the heat between Linda and Alfie doesn’t go unnoticed by Mick – who’s peeved to see his…

INSIDE GossipLaura-Jayne snoops behind the big soap headlines… Mick Carter is set to bow out of EastEnders in the ultimate Christmas cliffhanger – judging by these jaw-dropping pics of Danny Dyer filming his big exit! The Walford favourite was snapped during a daring night shoot on location with actress Charlie Brooks – aka Janine – who is also leaving the soap. According to reports, brave Mick will throw himself off a cliff in pursuit of a car carrying his ex-wife, Linda, and pregnant fiancée Janine after it crashes into the sea. Will any of them make it out alive? “Bosses are remaining tight-lipped about the exact nature of Danny’s exit, but there is no way his character wouldn’t go out with a bang,” shares our Albert Square insider. “The show…

CORONATION STREET Corrie is working with counter-terrorism police on a hard-hitting new storyline that will see teenager Max groomed by extremists. In the coming months, Max will become more estranged from his family as he falls under Griff’s spell, with the brute harnessing Max’s computer skills to spread racist propaganda. “Max’s story is one about the grooming of a vulnerable teenager at a point where he’s feeling alienated,” explains Corrie boss Iain MacLeod. “We’ll see Max befriended in-person by older, mentor-like figures who will give him a sense of brotherhood. “We will explore teenagers self-radicalising through watching extreme content online,” adds Iain. “In the end, we want this to be a story about communication within families – what are the right and wrong ways to talk to younger members who…

EMMERDALE Emmerdale has just bid sad farewells to Faith, Harriet, Liv and Aaron – and now two more big names are said to be leaving the show. After 11 years, actress Fiona Wade is hanging up Priya’s stilettos and tipped to be filming her final scenes in the next couple of months. Meanwhile, rumours are rife that star Michael Wildman – who plays Al – has left the soap, which surely seals Al’s fate after his showdown with Cain… And that’s not all! With star Laura Norton having just welcomed her second child, Kerry is likely to disappear from our screens – along with Michelle Hardwick (Vanessa), who is also expecting baby number two (see p55). With so many faces set to depart, we reckon the village is due a…