Inside Soap UK 17-2023

“Can ITVX stump up a few bob?” It’s nice when the soaps go out and about, even if in this week’s sneak pics it’s only as far as a blustery Margate. Now, while the Thanet Coast has its many charms, I miss the days when the soaps kept spare cash in their knicker elastic for lavish location shoots; such as Corrie’s trip to Paris, or those years when EastEnders flew to Spain more often than Judith Chalmers. The glory days of this malarkey came with the spin-off DVDs, which put Rita on the QE2 and sent Jack and Vera to Vegas. Emmerdale went the furthest, jetting off to Sydney to meet Crocodile Dingle; which is nice work if you can get it, and almost impossible to imagine today. Alas, these days there’d be a…

First with the week’s HOTTEST headlines Chloe’s joy following the birth of baby Reuben is shattered this week, as she faces every parents’ nightmare when her son is diagnosed with meningitis and left fighting for survival. With Mack struggling to stay in the background of his son’s life, emotions run high while Chloe waits for news. Will Mack finally step up and reveal that he is the baby’s dad? “The whole situation with Reuben escalates really quickly,” explains Jessie Elland, who plays Chloe. “Chloe is really struggling as Reuben isn’t sleeping, and everyone keeps trying to reassure her that it’s normal, but she knows something is wrong. However, Chloe’s so overwhelmed by the whole experience of motherhood that she can’t quite hold her ground with her worries. But as things progress, she notices…

Our soapie senses are already tingling with anticipation that it won’t be long until the secret of baby Reuben’s paternity explodes. In fact, Charity actress Emma Atkins has more or less confirmed it. “I have loved working with you and Jessie,” she said to Lawrence Robb on a behind-the-scenes video for Charity and Mack’s wedding recently. “And it probably won’t be for much longer, so I’m making the most of it. I think things will have to take a diversion at some point soon…” Meanwhile, Jessie herself admits she’s looking forward to the big showdown – even if it is with a little trepidation. “I’m excited as an actor because Emma is really, really great, so it’s a massive treat to get to work with her, even if she is shouting – as…

It’s safe to say that Tim’s dead-set against his mum Elaine marrying shady Stephen. There’s something about that man that sets off alarm bells for Tim – and rightly so! So, when Elaine agrees to fly to Vegas to tie the knot, Tim realises he’s going to have to do something drastic, and after offering the happy couple a lift to the airport – he ditches the groom and kidnaps the bride! “Tim’s been so unpleasant!” chuckles Paula Wilcox, who plays the duped bride-to-be. “At first, Elaine thinks it’s because he’s worried about his inheritance – that the house and money will get left to Stephen rather than him. Then she realises that, actually, it’s because he thinks there must be something fishy going on because surely she’s too old to be…

Tim’s meddling with Elaine is just the half of it for Stephen this week – after he clocks the woman whom he really treasures, Jenny, cosying up to a new admirer! Will the green-eyed monster in killer Stephen force him to take drastic action? “Jenny gets chatting to lovely Owen – the client rep for the American company investing with Stephen at the factory,” reveals our Corrie insider. “He obviously likes her, and Jenny is clearly flattered. However, Stephen still holds a candle for her, too – and it wouldn’t be the first time he’s come between Jenny and true love.” Yikes! Owen had better watch his back where Stephen’s concerned……

Keanu takes a big risk to be the dad he feels his son deserves this week, as he carries out a dodgy job on the day of Albie’s christening! Soon, things come tumbling down when Keanu finds himself arrested for supplying drugs – right outside the church where the ceremony is taking place… “This is supposed to be the first big moment of Albie’s life, and Keanu messes it right up!” says our Walford insider. “However, it might not just be the christening that comes to a juddering halt – Sharon is aghast that Keanu is involved with drugs, and their relationship could be in big trouble.” Sharon and Keanu’s relationship could be in big trouble” Originally, Keanu turned down the drugs job – but when Zack and Martin reveal a big present for…