Inside Soap UK 14 - 2016

If there were a competition for soapland’s dumbest resident, I wouldn’t nominate Emmerdale’s Sam Dingle or Walford’s Billy Mitchell. My choice would be the Street’s Maria Connor. We might think that her brother Kirk is the one without the brains, but the way Maria ‘dolly-daydreams’ from bad decision to woeful decision never ceases to amaze me. Remember that time she shacked up with the man who killed her husband? Or the bit where she dumped Jason Grimshaw (the one man on the cobbles who could match her intellectually) for a gay man? And then there was that time she thought she might win back Tyrone by stalking him and pretending to be his violent and controlling ex Kirsty. What was she thinking? This week, she’s back… with a new husband…

“ROBERT’S SUPPORT IS IMPORTANT - AARON CAN BE MORE INTIMATE WITH HIM” Brave Aaron faces his abusive father Gordon across a courtroom this week – as he tells the jury the details of his horrifying sexual abuse ordeal. The hushed room hears how Aaron endured the abuse at the hands of his wicked dad, and the legacy of pain the terrible experience left him with. Supported by mum Chas and his ex Robert, Aaron hopes that the testimonies the court hears will be enough to convict evil Gordon – but there’s still the fear that his father could walk out of court a free man… “Aaron is trying to prepare himself for a ‘not guilty’ verdict, but it’s something he won’t be able to deal with,” says Danny Miller, who…

The relationship between Robert and Aaron has been a hugely popular one among Emmerdale fans, who hope there may be a future for the former lovers. Robert has kept his distance so that Aaron can focus on the court case – but once the verdict is announced, will it be time for Aaron to look to the future? “I’m not giving anything away,” laughs Ryan Hawley, who plays Robert. “But what I will say is that before all of this, Robert was being very selfish in their relationship, and that’s been completely subverted. He’s shown he isn’t a horrible guy, and that he does have a decent core.” Robert might have been Aaron’s rock lately, but let’s not forget he broke his heart – nor that…

“NICK IS PANICKING THAT HE’LL LOSE CARLA BECAUSE SHE WON’T BE ABLE TO COPE” There’s big trouble for Nick this week, as he explodes in a violent outburst at vicious schoolgirl Lauren. His behaviour is as big a shock to him as it is for the gang of bullies, and Nick starts to fear that the effects of his brain damage are returning to haunt him. There’s no doubt his behaviour is a far cry from the calm and collected front he likes to project to the world – so could this meltdown jeopardise his happiness with Carla? “The showdown with Bethany’s bullies catches Nick totally unawares – he really loses it,” reveals Ben Price, who plays Nick. “He’s just had news that Robert’s purchase of the restaurant has fallen…

“I guess I feel sorry for Nick, with him being in the dark about Carla and Robert,” he muses. “But he isn’t a jealous guy, and he’s willing to admit his own shortcomings. I think he could get past it, though there’s always the potential for him to let rip. “The situation between Carla and Robert isn’t as black and white as it was for David when he found out Nick and Kylie slept together. Nick will probably be angry – but after what he’s done, who is he to judge?”…

“BEN GOES BERSERK - HE DOESN’T THINK ABOUT ALL THE LIES HE’S TOLD ABI!” There’s mayhem at the Mitchells’ this week, after Abi’s pregnancy lies are revealed to horrified Ben. The truth comes tumbling out as Abi struggles with pressure from blackmailer Louise, who wants Ben out of Phil’s life so she can have her father all to herself – leaving Abi with no option but to tell all. However, nothing can ready her for Ben’s reaction to the news that she’s been lying to him all this time… “Of course, when Ben finds out Abi not only lied about the baby, but then deceived him about having a miscarriage, he goes completely berserk!” says our Walford insider. “He doesn’t think about all of the tall tales that he’s told…