Sommaire pour 03 - 2021 de Inside Soap UK

“I’m more grateful than ever for my soap fix!” Well, here we go again! Another tough few weeks as we stay at home and keep each other safe. Many of you have been asking us what this means for the soaps. Well, they can continue filming, which is all down to the amazing safety procedures that have been put in place at the studios. As one actor put it to me recently, “I feel safer at work then I do in my local supermarket”. The effort being put in to keep the shows on our screens is phenomenal, and with this lockdown coming in the dead of winter, I’m more grateful than ever for my nightly soap fix. Inside Soap will keep coming to you, too. With people staying closer…

Slippery cobbles businessman Ray could add ‘killer’ to his list of crimes this week, after a furious confrontation between him and Abi ends with her unconscious on the Bistro floor! “It seems that Ray has spent too much cash on bribes!” It’s clear that Ray has hit rock bottom – his debts lead to terrifying threats from those he owes, and he’s arrested on suspicion of raping Faye (see p20). So with the net closing in, and Abi vowing to do everything she can to bring down her scumbag ex, just how far will Ray go in order to silence her? “Ray’s crimes are finally catching up with him, and he’s desperate to find a way out,” reveals our cobbles insider. “His development plans are rapidly going south, he doesn’t…

He’s currently trying to worm his way back into Mandy’s good books, but Paul just can’t be redeemed, according to actor Reece Dinsdale. “Paul’s a pathological liar,” he explains. “Gambling is redeemable if you see the light and get help. But violence is irredeemable, and Paul playing on Vinny’s innocence and vulnerability is terrible.” However, Reece says he still considers Paul to be a good guy, albeit one capable of bad things. “Paul’s an interesting character,” he enthuses. “I decided not to play him as Machiavellian from the start, but as a nice guy with problems. Paul’s always trying to show his good side, yet then out of leftfield the demons take over and he does the most awful things! I feel as if the story is getting darker, and…

Jamie Tate will be at the centre of Home Farm’s biggest scandal, after he learns that he’s to become a father for a second time – following a night with Gabby! Bernice’s 20-year-old daughter will hook up with Jamie while working at the big house for his mum, Kim, whose reaction is priceless when she finds out that Gabby is pregnant… “As Kim discovers there is going to be a new heir to the Tate throne, a power struggle very quickly ensues,” explains Emmerdale producer Sophie Roper. “However, as Gabby finds herself in the middle of a family at war, will she succumb to the manipulations of Home Farm? Or will she end up being the one pulling the strings?” WED AND DEAD! Mandy’s engagement to Paul ends in heartbreak…

“Thank you, for looking after my family, for looking after Tina.” We’re going to be sick. “My nan used to watch Top Of The Pops with the sound off, cos she liked the colours. I knew all the dance moves Pan’s People ever did. I just didn’t know what songs they went with.” Cathy does a mean ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to the tune of ‘Jolene’. “David, have you ever seen a play called Macbeth?” “No, but I have been patronised in a garment factory before.” We love how David is about 50 times more intelligent than anyone else in Weatherfield, but nobody notices. “You were normal! You were decent! You were the only person that made me feel safe!” Kush was indeed all those things – until he shacked up with…

Roo tries to broker peace between her warring parents this week, but will the pair see sense? They’ve been at loggerheads ever since Alf questioned his wife’s decision to hold on to her home in Merimbula. He thinks it’s because Martha doesn’t believe their marriage will last, and needs a place to escape to when it all goes wrong… With some gentle encouragement from Roo, Martha explains her real reasons for wanting to keep her own safe haven to retreat to, and Alf eventually understands where she’s coming from. He even offers to move to Merimbula if that will make her happy, although Martha assures him that their home is now in Summer Bay. The couple appear to be reconciled for now – but could Martha be hiding another reason…

A/W STYLE I really like the coat Linda wore in the New Year’s Day episode of EastEnders. Can you let me know me where I can get one? Anna Linda’s coat is the ASOS Design Slouchy Coat in Pink – however, act fast as there are only a few sizes left. They also have a similar one called the Liquorish Fluffy Straight Coat in Pink. PHIL VS JACK EXPLAINED… In EastEnders, Denise was talking to Jack and reminded him of the time when Phil tried to kill him. What happened? Martin, Bristol Phil brutally attacked Jack back in the Christmas of 2019. Before Albie was born, Phil became convinced that Jack was the father of Sharon’s baby when the question of paternity came up. Jack was then kidnapped by…

“Even now I still get messages from people who watch Emmerdale saying, ‘Do you know there is a memorial for you on TV right now?’ all these years after Gennie died,” laughs former Dales star, Sian Reese-Williams, as she joins us to chat about what’s coming up for her current character, Jodie, in Holby City. “It’s lovely when I hear that Gennie is still mentioned in the scripts, as I was only on the show for five years – and that’s nothing in soapland!” Sian’s village exit was a brutal one. Upon rumbling killer Cameron Murray, Gennie suffered a horrific car accident when the baddie gave chase, only for Cameron to coolly finish her off at the crash site to cover his tracks. Soap exits don’t come more final than…

Reagan and I went to college together and both did drama, but he’s not an actor any more. I think he only went there to mess about, really [laughs]! We’ve been together for just over two years now. We had been planning to go away for New Year, but obviously we couldn’t do that. Still, we’ve got loads of places we want to visit in the future, so we have got those to look forward to. Every week, we put your questions to a star of the soaps. Look out for requests on our Facebook page, or email your questions to youask@insidesoap.co.uk, putting the actor’s name in the subject line. Our favourite question each week will win a £20 prize!…

Celebrating your birthday during lockown isn’t much fun – but these soap fellas have proved that you can still have a good time without leaving the house! Walford’s Max Bowden (Ben) is used to having a big birthday night out, as he was born on New Year’s Eve. But this year he posted a cheeky snap of him in the bath, with the caption: “How to spend your birthday in isolation part one.” We wonder what happened during part two? Meanwhile, Corrie’s Nathan Graham turned 30 recently – even though his character James is much younger on screen! He looks delighted with his balloons, doesn’t he? We’re sure there will be a big Weatherfield knees-up in his honour as soon as the restrictions allow it!…

Musician and presenter Myleene Klass “I spent lockdown teaching my music classes, and now it’s time for me to learn a new skill, and walk away with a bum like J-Lo’s!” Capital Radio DJ Sonny Jay “I want to learn how to skate backwards, so that when Christmas comes round again, I can go on the ice with a beer in my hand and show off!” Actress and singer Denise Van Outen “Jayne and Chris don’t mince their words when they critique you! However, I’ve been a judge, so I’m ready to take constructive criticism.” Comedian and actor Rufus Hound “It’s obvious to anyone who’s seen my silhouette that physical exercise and I have remained cordial but unfamiliar!” Corrie actress Faye Brookes “I definitely know this is a skill I…

TRADE OFF Patrick Dempsey – aka Grey’s Anatomy’s “McDreamy” – plays scandal-struck investment banker Massimo Ruggeri in glossy new drama Devils. After Massimo’s top-level promotion is scuppered, he’s desperate to clear his name. Devils comes to Sky Atlantic next month. BLACK DRAFT This first image from ITV’s forthcoming psychological thriller Angela Black shows Downton Abbey’s Joanne Froggatt, who stars as a woman with an apparently perfect life – the reality being that she’s a victim of domestic abuse. Can a stranger’s revelations help her escape her ruthless husband? JOHN IS IN THE TARDIS! John Bishop has been cast as the Doctor’s new travelling companion Dan in the new series of Doctor Who, which will air later this year. He joins Mandip Gill (Yaz) in the TARDIS for the eight-part run,…

BULLSEYE! Week by week, Jack and Denise is the EastEnders romance we’ve really come to invest in, without even realising it was happening. Perhaps its success is in the chemistry between stars Scott Maslen and Diane Parish from their days on The Bill – or maybe, with Mick and Linda’s troubles, it satisfies our need for just one happy, grownup relationship in Walford. Either way, all the best to them! Nurse Sonia’s response to the horror of Covid in hospitals – airing minutes after the PM ordered a new lockdown – was harrowing; but so odd given that EastEnders seems to exist in a largely virus-free world. Talk about having your cake and eating it. Is it just us, or does Aaron have more spark with Mackenzie than any of…

Toby locks his mum Martine in the garage this week, and he’s ready to set it on fire with her inside! Is he about to claim another victim? Prior to his confrontation with Martine, things seem to be going well for Toby, as his relationship with Cleo goes from strength to strength. But after Martine reveals to Cleo that Toby has never been with a girl before, Toby is humiliated – and, thinking his relationship with Cleo is over, he takes his rage out on his mother… “Toby fears people finding out what he’s capable of…” “Who would want to be embarrassed by their mum like that?” sighs Bobby Gordon, who plays Toby. “Toby’s never been so publicly humiliated in this way before. It’s something he didn’t want to happen…

Our thoughts are with the Street’s Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey, following the death of her real-life husband Mark Eden. Mark was best known on the cobbles for playing Rita’s abusive partner, Alan Bradley, who was famously hit by a Blackpool tram in 1989 while chasing her. Mark, who married Sue in 1993, passed away on New Year’s Day aged 92. “Mark had been living with Alzheimer’s disease for some time, and was hospitalised in November,” explained his agent. “He died peacefully.”…

Chesney and Gemma’s finances hit rock bottom this week – and it’s all thanks to Sean spinning them a big fat yarn to save his own skin! The desperate dad is feeling the heat to sell his dodgy make-up and pay off scammer Rhydian, though it’s Sean’s poor saleswoman Gemma who looks set to pay a high price after he leans on her for commission money. Gemma simply doesn’t have the dosh, and Sean needs to pay Rhydian – or else… “It’s after Sean gets a call from his son Dylan’s mother, Violet, explaining that the lad has been suspended from school, and is on his way to Manchester to be with his dad, that Sean ups the ante,” states our Street source. “Dylan says he is being bullied at…

“It was good to see Corrie’s Dr Gaddas rocking a glam new hairdo. Now that is the hairstyle of a regular character. Is she about to find romance? Or start killing patients?” …muses reader Sam “I’m so happy to have Lucas back in Walford. Don Gilet is genuinely chilling in the role. My wish is that this plot is a slow-burn, so we have him for a long time. No need to rush, EastEnders!” …begs reader Anna “I think Charity should support Noah’s wish to join the Army. It’s not as if his life will be at any greater risk than living in Emmerdale, which has a far higher mortality rate than active service.” …observes reader Chris “After finding out recently that Nana McQueen thinks Walter is a ‘hunk’, I…

FAIR CITY ● Ali Foley arrives back in Carrigstown this week, although Carol worries that Ali is avoiding spending time with her. Elsewhere, a question from Ruth makes Paul realise what Callum and Oisín are up to. And disaster strikes for one resident… RIVER CITY ● Poppy gets off to a bad start this week, when she discovers her office has been graffitied with unnerving threats from her stalker – before being accosted by a gangster! Meanwhile, Angus is surprised by former school friend Rebecca. Plus, Lenny sends Alex off on a mission. THE ARCHERS ● Ben refuses to take no for an answer at Brookfield this week, despite Ruth’s concerns. Elsewhere, Alice is left with more questions after spending time with Susan. Finally, Elizabeth faces difficult decisions, and Lily…

“When I was offered this job, the casting people told my agent that ‘it had Denise written all over it’!” chuckles actress Denise Welch, who joins Hollyoaks this week as Maxine’s estranged mum, Trish. “And if anything’s going to lure you in, that is! All of my ‘Oh, I don’t want to do a soap again because it means I’ll have to get up too early’ went out of the window as soon as I heard that. And when I started talking to the producers about the character, it was just too good an opportunity to pass up.” Of course, this isn’t Denise’s first soap rodeo – she played Natalie Horrocks in Corrie from 1997 to 2000, as well as starring in the first five series of Waterloo Road, and…

Sian was no stranger to an Inside Soap photo shoot when she played Gennie, and we couldn’t resist digging out an old favourite for her – back when the Emmerdale girls just wanted to have fun… “That was a great day with Sammy [Winward, who played Katie Sugden] and Lucy Pargeter [aka Chas] when we were in our PJs and wearing hair rollers,” grins Sian. “I’ve had a few Zoom chats with some of the Emmerdale gang recently, and me and Sammy are still best mates, even though we haven’t seen each other in a really long time. I made genuine connections on Emmerdale that will never go away.”…

WIT AND WISDOM “You look great, Auntie Kath. Death really suits you!” Martin’s reaction to Ms Beale’s shock return “I think it’s bloody ridiculous” Grandma Lou on hearing that 40-something Pauline was pregnant with Martin “Don’t you talk about my son like that! He’s a good boy. He’s been brought up to know the difference between right and wrong.” Pauline defends Martin against the first of many accusations that he’s a little swine! THE BIG STORIES TEEN BABY SHOCKER! Martin’s life was turned upside down when Sonia gave birth to his child aged just 15. The one-time bunk-up cost Martin big, as Sonia prepared to give the baby up for adoption, and Pauline vowed to fight for custody. It even saw the Jacksons and the Fowlers ending up in court!…

During a time when so many of us have found ourselves temporarily separated from our loved ones, the reunions taking place in the BAFTAwinning documentary series Long Lost Family – which returns for a tenth series this week – feel more poignant than ever. Here, hosts Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell reveal what we can expect… “In the first episode, there’s a couple called Kevin and Phyllis, who had a son when they were just teenagers, and he was adopted against their wishes,” shares Davina. “They’ve spent the past 40 years looking for him: it’s an incredible story.” “I went to Spain to meet their son Sean, who’s now called Reuben,” adds Nicky, talking of the footage that was filmed pre-pandemic. “It was intensely personal for me because his story…

DIGITAL ’ ROBIN S WISH Robin’s Wish tells the true story of Robin Williams’ final days. For the first time, Robin’s fight against a neurodegenerative disorder, known as Lewy body dementia, is shown in detail. Through a gripping journalistic lens, this incredible story sheds an entirely new light on the tragedy, beauty and power of one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Available on demand from all major platforms. APPLE TV+ SERVANT – SEASON 2 Dorothy and Sean are a bereaved couple who hire nanny Leanne to look after their baby son, Jericho. The catch? Jericho is in fact a ‘reborn doll’ – and Leanne is far more sinister than your average Mary Poppins figure. On Apple TV+ from Friday 15 January. BOOK THE LAST THING TO BURN…

Side street Actress Sally Dynevor says that Corrie bosses once planned an exit for her character Sally and ex-husband Kevin Webster – so they could have their own spin-off show! “I’m so glad we didn’t do it!” she admits. Story scrapped! Meanwhile, a cobbles return was on the cards last year for actress Kerri Quinn – aka Robert Preston’s baby mother, Vicky Jefferies – but it was canned due to Covid. Well, it’s still not too late! Sliding doors As Max prepares to depart Walford soon, his former missus Tanya could return. “Because I’m so fond of the Branning family, I would go back one day,” shares actress Jo Joyner, who played her.…

Faye cracks under the pressure of keeping her enormous secret this week – and finally tells her loved ones and the police that she attacked Adam! The teen has grappled with the truth ever since she mistook Adam for Ray, after the Bistro boss tried to rape her. Yet when Faye admits she slept with Ray willingly, prior to his attempted assault and her retaliation, she risks losing boyfriend Craig, and her freedom… “I don’t think Craig cares that Faye cheated on him,” explains Colson Smith, who plays him. “All he cares about is that he wasn’t there to stop what happened with Ray. So Craig makes a decision that he won’t let Ray get away with this – it’s the final nail in the coffin.” The truth comes out…

Smitten Jay finally admits that he has proper feelings for Honey this week, just after he promises their kiss meant nothing to angry Billy. Their smooch provoked fury from the crushed bloke, so Jay has been doing everything he can to fight his real emotions. However, Honey is gutted as she overhears him making hurtful remarks to Billy about how the kiss meant nothing, and that there will never be anything between them. So, caught between the man he loves like a father and the woman he’s falling for, Jay has to be brave… “Honey just wants Jay to be honest – there’s something special between them,” says our Square spy. “When he finally tells her that he was wrong to dismiss the kiss and that he does have feelings…

A DISH BEST SERVED… HOT! It was an interesting Christmas in all of the soaps! From a poisoned mince pie and Christmas pud, to a magical festive wedding, there were plenty of highs and lows… It’s been a long time coming, but I was so pleased to see Shona and David finally realise that they want to be together in Corrie. Their reunion really put a smile on my face. Olivia, Devon I’m really not sure what to think about Edward’s demise in Hollyoaks. While I’m glad that he’s gone, it was all very dramatic! Also, I thought that Edward would be far too smart to end up poisoning himself! Nevertheless, at least Diane and Tony can now fix their marriage. Jack Who doesn’t love a Christmas wedding? And one…

NIKKI SANDERSON (MAXINE) “Nikki and I have known each other a long time, as we worked on Coronation Street together. We hadn’t seen each other for while, but when I told her I was playing her mum, her reaction was really lovely. It made me feel very good that she was so happy about it!” KÉLLÉ BRYAN (MARTINE) “She’s a Loose Women pal! Just after I’d said yes to the role of Trish, we were hosting Loose Women, with Kéllé on video link, as she was filming in Liverpool. During the ad break I sent her a message saying, ‘I’m joining Hollyoaks, but you can’t say anything!’” ALSO… “Jen Metcalfe [Mercedes] is another Dancing On Ice buddy, and Kieron Richardson [Ste] as well. I did a scene with…

“Some viewers weren’t sure if Katy was good or bad at the start, which is what I’d hoped for,” grins Walford star Simone Lahbib, as we chat with her about playing Mick’s childhood abuser, Katy. “I wanted viewers to be drawn in by the way Katy charms people, so it was great to see that coming across. People were saying they hate Katy and that she’s gaslighting Mick, which shows they understood what she was doing.” While Mick has now admitted that Katy sexually abused him as a child, he must still decide whether to report her to the police. And Simone tells us she had a great time filming the intense scenes where Mick confronted Katy about what she did. “Those scenes were exciting to tackle,” she admits. “Danny…

We’ve seen all sorts of weird soap memorablia over the years, but this Sonia Fowler commemorative plate takes a lot of beating! EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy stumbled across the striking platter while on a pre-Christmas shopping trip, and was stunned by the resemblance! Her fianc é Marc Humphreys posted the snap online, with the caption: “Liberty London do personalised plates. Who knew?” We wonder if we can get a Bianca and Robbie one to complete our Jackson family dinner set……

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After the massive success of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing last autumn, it’s ITV’s turn to undertake the challenge of putting on a smash-hit dancing competition under the pressure of social-distancing restrictions. Dancing On Ice first slid onto our screens back in 2006, and now, 15 years later, it has become one of the telly treats we most look forward to during the long winter months. As ever, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will be on hand as head judges, joined on the panel by Ashley Banjo and John Barrowman. And among the celebs who are going to be getting their skates on this year is Emmerdale’s Joe-Warren Plant (Jacob Gallagher), who’s clearly looking forward to learning some new skills… “I’ve only ever skated on local rinks at Christmas,” he chuckles.…

“People say Covid is the big health crisis of our lifetimes,” says Russell T Davies, the award-winning writer of 1980s-set drama It’s A Sin. “But actually, there have been two…” Since emerging 40 years ago, AIDS has caused the deaths of millions across the world – particularly gay men – with the disease primarily spread through sexual contact. And Russell, who won huge acclaim for his gay dramas Queer As Folk and Cucumber, has waited a long time to tell this particular story… “A lot of it is based on people I knew,” explains the writer. “I was 18 in 1981, and some of my gay friends went to live in London, moving into a big flat which they called the Pink Palace. So, a lot of the characters’ dialogue…