Inside Soap UK -julkaisun 12 - 2017 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

“Two storylines will blow up this week!” There are a couple of storylines this week that are about to blow up in a huge way – both leading to massive consequences for the characters involved. But while the Barlows’ troubles in Corrie and EastEnders’ Michelle’s scandalous affair are keeping us busy, the great thing about soaps is that there are always other plots on the verge of springing into life. Who knows where Jai’s new friendship with fellow addict Nell might take him in the Dales? Knowing Jai, we imagine it will be right in the way of trouble. Then there’s Weatherfield’s Sally, who ends up being the victim of a vindictive troll this week. Are we heading for a full-blown new nightmare on Coronation Street as this story unfolds?…

Actor John Middleton has already filmed his final scenes, so it’s clear that Ashley’s illness this week is very much the beginning of the end for Laurel’s beloved husband. But while we must all be prepared to cry a river as the Thomas family say their goodbyes, Emmerdale producer Iain MacLeod has told us that Ashley’s death will also be an opportunity to remember the good times… “This story is desperately sad, so we wanted to give Ashley the best possible death,” he explains. “It will be warm and funny, festive and boisterous. “And I think Ashley’s funeral will be talked about for quite some time to come. It’s quirky!”…

The last time we saw Corrie killer Rob Donovan, he was causing all sorts of bother for Tracy from the comfort of his prison cell. So what could possibly be in store to prompt the scenes in our sneaky snaps, which show Rob free from the clink and snogging his ex-fiancée’s face off? Word on the cobbles is that actor Marc Baylis, who plays the cold-blooded murderer, returned to Corrie recently in order to film scenes for an explosive storyline. Tracy and her daughter, Amy, are clearly caught up in the drama as they flee a remote farmhouse that’s surrounded by armed police. Are they under threat from Rob? Or has Tracy been sucked back into the wicked murderer’s web of lies? “Rob is definitely not…

As Emmerdale viewers scream at their screens and will Rhona to escape the clutches of evil Pierce, actress Zoe Henry has admitted that even she can’t bear to watch – and tells us that there is far worse on the horizon… “Jonathan Wrather [Pierce] and I hadn’t predicted the events to come,” winces the star, who’s played Rhona since 2001. “I felt quite choked up reading the script. Things are said and done that can’t be taken back.” In recent weeks we’ve seen Pierce force himself on Rhona and coerce her into making a sex tape. He’s also orchestrated the breakdown of her friendship with Vanessa, leaving Rhona more isolated than ever as she and Pierce head towards their big day. “Deep inside, the alarm bells…

ANNE FOSTER Anne may have got away with murdering her rapist son Frank if Sally hadn’t worked it all out. The women were close in the wake of Frank’s death – until Sally spotted that Anne had Frank’s watch and realised it was evidence she was the killer. Does Anne want to get her own back? NATALIE BARNES There was never any love lost between Sally and Natalie, the woman whose affair with Kevin destroyed their marriage. They were still arguing over Kev when Natalie sold the Rovers to start a new life. Is she back to make Sal’s life hell again? GREG KELLY Greg seduced Sally to get his hands on her inheritance and then turned violent. After she broke free of his spell, Greg abducted Sal and vowed…

Jai has made few friends while in the village – and it’s no wonder! He locked his ex-wife Charity in a shipping container, his drug addiction almost bankrupted the family business, and he betrayed his pregnant wife Megan with Leyla! However, Chris is hoping Jai’s popularity might one day improve… “People don’t forget the bad stuff!” he laughs. “But I think Jai’s drug addiction story proved that he’s not a total baddy. Circumstances dictated that he went to a dark place, and just when he thought things were better, the rug was pulled from under him. But the point has been made that he can be nice when he wants to!”…

BETHANY IN DANGER! It was the family dinner from hell as Sarah discovered her daughter’s lover is even older than she is! But as Nathan draws Bethany even further into his seedy web, what should Sarah do next? As a mother myself, I don’t understand how Sarah could just sit down and eat a shepherd’s pie after seeing how old Nathan is. If it were me, that sleaze wouldn’t have made it past the front door! Bethany is her daughter, not her friend, and she needs to lay down the law sharpish. Penny, Oldham I want Bethany free of Nathan as much as the next person, but I totally agree with Sarah. Banning Bethany from seeing him will only make her more determined. I really don’t know what Sarah should…

“It isn’t goodbye for me and Kieron Richardson [Ste] – more an ‘I won’t see you at 7 in the morning’! He and his husband Carl are expecting twins, so we’ll have a pre-baby party.” “It’s been great having Duncan as a love interest. I was a Blue fan when I was younger! He’s so generous. It’d be nice if he could come to London and buy all my coffees here…” “I’m going to miss Elá-May and William so much! I’ve loved watching them grow. Elá-May in particular has had a lot to do this week, so it’s been nice to be part of that and mentor her.” “I’ll really miss Parry Glasspool’s [Harry] one-liners. He has such a dry sense of humour – it caught me off-guard at first…

DIRTY 30s! The most exciting soap event of the year was EastEnders’ 30th anniversary week in February, during which the show went live for a section of every episode. We couldn’t wait to see which stars fluffed their lines (stand up Jo Joyner , aka Tanya !) – but as it was, the biggest gasps were reserved for the return from the dead of Kathy Beale , and the revelation that young Bobby was his sister Lucy’s killer! Luckily, Neighbours’ 30th anniversary the following month was rather more sedate, and brought back fan favourites Harold and Madge Bishop for a lovely celebration of Ramsay Street. Aw! Crash the wedding We could have told the Dales’ Debbie that her wedding to Pete was a disaster waiting to happen – since she’d…

EMMA BARTON Why she’s the worst It’s hard to choose which of Emma’s crimes is the worst. Deserting her sons as children? The constant lying and manipulation? Murdering their father James? Let’s go with trying to drown Ross as a toddler, because that really stands out even on an evil psycho CV. Redeeming feature… No one can argue that Emma is truly devoted to her boys, and as a nurse she’s quite handy if you have a non-emergency medical procedure that needs taking care of. Otherwise, avoid like the plague! KATHY BEALE Why she’s the worst It’s hard to imagine why Kathy thought that faking her own death and letting her two sons spend years grieving for her was the right thing to do. It scarred Ben for life and…

£29 JoJo Maman Bébé No wardrobe is complete without a Breton jumper, so why should your maternity attire go without? £27.99 Noppies These bump-friendly faux leather leggings are perfect for glamming up or going casual. £5 Peacocks Almost ready to pop? This maternity tee is ideal for stretching over big bumps! £40 Mothercare This fabulous frock is designed so the fabric falls beautifully over your bump. BEAUTY BOX Mums barely have any time to relax, so why not gift her (or yourself!) with some of these blissful treats… Baylis & Harding ‘Mum To Bee’ Slipper Set Take the weight off mum’s feet with these soft slippers and foot-care goodies. Sarah Jessica Parker’s Mini Lovely Heart Gift Set Show Mum how lovely she is with this floral fragrance, featuring hints of…

IF YOU’VE BEEN AFFLICTED BY superhero-show fatigue, we understand completely – they seem to be absolutely everywhere now. But we’d stake our reputation on this one being the best of the bunch because it’s the one that does the best job of capturing what it’s like to read a comic – where everything really feels like it’s taking place in a brighter, more fantastic world where absolutely anything could happen. And not only is it visually breathtaking , but former Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens is giving the performance of his career as troubled mutant superhero David Haller……

After proving her skills as a tour guide with two series about her homeland of Italy, Alex Polizzi branches out again this week as she guides us around the best bits of Spain. Her goal is to showcase the hidden gems that holidaymakers heading for the traditional hotspots might otherwise miss. “It’s a pretty great job – don’t tell anyone!” chuckles Alex. “Frankly, I think I deserve a little bit of luxury after all those years of doing The Hotel Inspector.” The first episode of the series focuses on the north-east of Spain, where Alex will be tipping her hat to her day job by visiting an amazing hotel designed by celebrated architect Frank Gehry. In addition, Alex will also be trying out ‘vinotherapy’, where the grape residue from wine…

BULLSEYE! Bless Kellie Bright for taking time out from her maternity leave, as Linda briefly popped back to the Square to realise that the Queen Vic was literally falling apart without her! It also gave us the warm and fuzzies to see Mick finally off the phone and reunited with his ‘L’ – reminding us that the Carters really do belong together. They’re the dream team! We recognise that the Bethany plot is an important story to tell, and we’re truly gripped by it. However, a little nagging voice reminds us that Bethany is a really bright girl. Would she fall for Nathan’s ‘charms’? We’re not sure. You can tell that Ken and Daniel are cut from the same cloth by their matching quilted jackets, which must come in a…

Say yes to the dress ! Carla Connor’s wedding dress is currently being auctioned off on eBay! The bidding will end on Sunday 26 March, and proceeds will go to charity. Farewell, Freddie ! Kevin is set to have one less mechanic after the departure of Freddie. Actor Derek Griffiths has chosen to bow out of Corrie, with his last scenes airing soon. Breathe again! Meanwhile, former Street actor and pop star Adam Rickitt – who played Nick Tilsley before the role was taken over by Ben Price – is joining Hollyoaks! He’ll play Nancy’s old flame Kyle, who turns up next month.…

“You get three decent meals a day, showers… I’ve even got a telly in me room. I’ve been to worse holiday camps than this.” Shirley looks on the bright side of a stretch in the slammer. “When I was a teenager, I was more interested in listening to the Top 40 or going down the roller disco, not bunking up with a spotty oik.” Bernice claims to be the child of a more innocent age. But we bet she’s always been a right little raver. “Your dad still loves us. He just can’t quite remember. So we have to do it for him. This illness has already taken so much. Don’t let it take away what a wonderful dad he’s been… The love that he feels is still in his…

Rosie is horrified to find out that cash-strapped Kevin might not meet his mortgage payment this week, so decides to try her hand at glamour modelling and help her dad out with the proceeds of her photo shoot! The fee would significantly reduce Kev’s debt, but Rosie’s sister Sophie believes that taking the job would be a very bad idea. When Soph informs Kev of Rosie’s intentions, he’s furious to hear what his daughter is planning – but will he talk her out of doing it?…

The volatile situation between Dom and Isaac comes to a head this week, when Dom finds himself on the receiving end of his boyfriend’s ire. After weeks of emotionally torturing his fella, Isaac puts Dom through hell again as they clash professionally over a patient’s treatment – a situation that forces Dom to take a step back and make a big decision about his future with Isaac. However, when he finally takes a stand, poor Dom gets more than he bargains for as Isaac sees red……

“I don’t think Chas would be bothered if Faith got the next bus out!” LUCY Chas and Cain were stunned when their errant mother Faith returned to their lives out of the blue, years after walking out on them. But while Faith’s faults are many, no one can deny her determination to make peace with her children and attempt a fresh start. Faith’s granddaughter Debbie steps up in the hope of making that happen this week. But as Lucy Pargeter (Chas) and Sally Dexter (Faith) reveal, putting things right will be no easy task… Chas and Faith’s relationship is in a mess right now, isn’t it? Lucy Things definitely aren’t good between them! They’re at loggerheads, and Chas is determined that she isn’t going to make up with Faith…

1 Away from the cobbles, Chris has performed in plays with David Neilson [who plays Roy] and his former Corrie co-star Vicky Entwistle [aka Janice]. 2 If Chris hadn’t taken to acting, the star reckons he would have happily followed in his dad’s footsteps and become a milkman instead. 3 The actor was once so overwhelmed by Peter’s misery that he visited a Buddhist retreat in Scotland to get his mind back on track! 4 The first record Chris ever bought was When A Child Is Born by Johnny Mathis. “That’s pretty uncool, isn’t it?” laughs the star. 5 Peter’s tattoos are Chris’ own, but his first didn’t go to plan… “It was a panther’s head with my name underneath it – but it said ‘CHIS’ instead of ‘CHRIS’!”…

“I sort out a guest list at home, then do the same thing at work!” Few fellas can get away with proposing to two women in the space of a week – but most men aren’t actor James Anderson! The 36-year-old star was thrilled to announce his engagement to Rebecca Hibbs last year, and this week on screen we see his Holby alter ego, Oliver, pop the question to Zosia. “Weirdly, we shot the proposal a couple of days after I got engaged in real life,” explains James, who asked Rebecca to marry him while they were on holiday together in Greece. “There are a few things in Ollie and Zosia’s story that strangely mimic my own, and in some ways Camilla’s [Arfwedson, aka Zosia] personal life, too. It’s has…

RIP Deirdre The nation was still reeling from the sad passing of Corrie star Anne Kirkbride early in the year, so we knew we’d be saying a sad farewell to cobbles legend Deirdre on screen too. But that didn’t make it any easier when the tear-jerking funeral scenes aired in July. School’s out! The bell tolled for Waterloo Road, as the school-based drama bowed out after almost a decade. Despite surviving a controversial move to Scotland, nothing could save the show from its eventual fate.…

June Brown’s 90th year has certainly been a reason for celebration. Not only did she enjoy her milestone birthday last month, but she also picked up a special prize for her services to the TV industry at the recent TRIC Awards. EastEnders picked up the trophy for TV Soap of the Year at the awards – but June’s delighted cast mates only had eyes for their co-star, who was given her gong by former Square favourite Barbara Windsor (Peggy). Emma Barton , who plays Honey, led the tributes. “June is gorgeous,” she said. “We all learn so much from her.” Meanwhile, Perry Fenwick (Billy) and Harry Reid (Ben) offered to go on strike until June was given a BAFTA award – seen as British acting’s biggest accolade. “We aren’t doing…

Prepare yourselves for a historical drama that looks at Georgian London from a different angle, as this eight-part series recalls a time when one in five women in London made a living selling sex. Margaret Wells runs a brothel in an unsavoury part of town, but plans to take her girls to a new house in Soho. “The world she was born into was incredibly tough,” explains Samantha Morton, who plays Margaret. “She has a sense of humour and a resilience that I’m finding really exciting. She’s a force to be reckoned with.” Margaret’s plans to move up in the world meet resistance from Lydia Quigley, who runs one of the most successful brothels in Soho… “The rivalry goes a long way back, and it comes out slowly in the…

Harriet’s loyalties are brought into question this week, after Cain puts her on the spot with a shocking proposal. As a one-time cop turned local minister, Harriet is used to leading her parishioners away from the lure of temptation. So imagine her surprise when criminal Cain suggests the two of them join forces! Having already caught the Dingle wrongdoer stashing stolen phones in her church, Harriet made her disapproval perfectly clear. But despite the fact that she snatched his contraband and threatened to call the police, Cain remains undaunted in his determination to help his severely ill granddaughter Sarah with the aid of some questionably made cash. Harriet is given pause when she sees Cain comforting his daughter Debbie, appreciating the pressure the Dingles are under. But she’s once again…

FAIR CITY Kerri-Ann and Decco are at odds this week, and she admits his family is putting their marriage under strain. But will Decco prioritise his wife? Elsewhere, Ama is concerned to hear Nora has accepted a job from Cathal. Also, Carol doubts Niamh’s loyalty to her children. RIVER CITY Lenny meets new gangster Rick Harper this week, who plans to steal control of Shieldinch. Is he a force to be reckoned with? Meanwhile, Bob worries about his new romance after Angus jokes about the fella moving too fast. Also, Ellie and Caitlin clash over a job at the pub. THE ARCHERS David and Ruth accept responsibility for the IBR infection this week, and angry Tom vows to make Brookfield pay. Elsewhere, Kirsty and Tom discuss the examination into her…

Amy Barnes loses her life this week – the day after marrying Ryan in front of their assembled loved ones! Her tragic death is set to send shock waves rippling through the village, and fans will have to wait and see whether her demise is a tragic accident, or whether something more sinister is afoot. Although the longstanding Chester favourite is sure to be missed by many viewers, Ashley Slanina-Davies – who has played Amy on and off since 2005 – is chuffed to have been given such a dramatic exit storyline… “I was told Amy would be killed off when Hollyoaks asked me to come back,” reveals the 27-year-old actress. “It’s been a blast to be back for a year and just have a laugh with everyone I used…

“What is it like being part of the Robinson family?” Paul’s daughter Amy turned up on Ramsay Street in 2015 – but her wicked dad hasn’t lured her to the dark side yet! Here, 32-year-old star Zoe answers all of your questions… “What is it like being a part of the Robinson family?” Oh, it’s quite fabulous! It’s great because there’s just so much drama going on. There’s never a dull moment! I definitely did my research into the Robinsons before joining the show – but I loved Neighbours when I was younger anyway. It was always on, and that theme tune was part of my upbringing! “Can you tell us a secret about your screen dad, Stefan Dennis [aka Paul]?” I don’t know if he’d be very happy with…

SHARON MITCHELL Why she’s the best Woe betide those who wrong Sharon’s precious little Denny! She ended her marriage to Phil when she found out he had been drunk behind the wheel during the accident that left Dennis close to death. She’s also declared war on numerous teachers, parents and neighbours who’ve dared say a word against her boy. And she’s taken on Ben, Louise and Jay as well! Just don’t mention… For someone so concerned about her son’s welfare, it’s a bit odd that Sharon went off to Italy so quickly, leaving Denny with Michelle! STACEY FOWLER Why she’s the best We know Stacey would die for her kids… because she nearly did. She got baby Lily to safety when the Vic was on fire, even though she was…

EastEnders wasn’t the only soap celebrating at the TRIC Awards. The Corrie cast were jumping for joy when Kym Marsh – much-lauded for her recent performances as Michelle – picked up the award for Soap Personality. “Thank you so much,” tweeted Kym afterwards. “I’m still in shock, but beyond delighted.” Other stars at the ceremony included Hollyoaks actresses Anna Passey (Sienna) and Sophie Porley (Ellie Nightingale), who brought some spring glamour to the sunny afternoon. Square double act Harry Reid (Ben) and Jamie Borthwick (Jay) scrubbed up well, as did their co-star James Bye (Martin). Obviously having fun were ex-Corrie star Denise Welsh (Natalie Barnes) and Hollyoaks’ Lisa Maxwell (Tracey Donovan) – while Natalie Cassidy’s appearance added fuel to the rumour that she’s planning a Walford return as Sonia .…

I’m trying not to watch the news , but it’s really difficult. I loved Romesh Ranganathan’s series Asian Provocateur, and Sharon Horgan’s Divorce on Sky. Oh, and I adored Love Island on ITV2, that was, like, my life – it was a real problem for me to get out of that one! I watch The Great British Bake Off , of course – actually I really love Junior Bake Off on CBBC, with Nadiya Hussain. Would I do Celebrity Bake Off? Oh yeah, I’d do anything! I really love First Dates , and I also love The Secret Life Of 4 Year Olds. I love a lot of American shows that are on Sky too, like Insecure, and I’ve been so excited for the…

MAKING HISTORY There’s more to come from James Delaney, because BBC1 has ordered a second series of Tom Hardy’s drama Taboo . Eight more episodes are set to air next year. VERSE CASE SCENARIO Ex-Strictly judge Len Goodman will return to BBC1 to host new Saturday night show Partners In Rhyme , matching contestants up with celebrities for a quiz conducted with rhyming clues… AFTER LIFE… Sean Bean will return for a second series of The Frankenstein Chronicles on ITV Encore. It’s now filming in Northern Ireland and will focus on John Marlott trying to redeem his soul after being hanged for murder……