Inside Soap UK 38 - 2020

“It’s time to name your favourite soapies…” We’re a little bit later than usual, but this week is your chance to vote in the Inside Soap Awards. There have certainly been some unexpected twists off screen this year, but now our beloved shows are back in buiness, we thought it was time to let you name your favourites. The voting form is on p51 – and there’s a special new award for 2020! Elsewhere, EastEnders might have been off our screens for a while, but it has come back with a bang, as the aftermath of Chantelle’s death rocks the Square. Meanwhile, Corrie returnee Rachel Leskovac fills us in on the Street’s shock new twist – Nick’s secret love child with Natasha! And over in Emmerdale, there’s a big moment…

Mitch and Karen get the devastating news that their daughter Chantelle has passed away this week – but will they figure out that Gray was the one who killed her? The events surrounding Chantelle’s death were truly horrifying, as her husband’s violence escalated, leading to her paying the ultimate price. But as shock waves reverberate around Albert Square, and Mitch demands answers about what really happened to his girl, will Gray finally be made to pay for his actions? “Mitch is not immediately suspicious, he’s just in shock,” explains Roger Griffiths, who plays the grieving father. “He’s in disbelief and denial, because he can’t believe Chantelle is dead. The first thing he asks is, ‘How did it happen?’ And when he asks that question more than three times, and nobody…

Mitch has been making it clear for months that he wants to win back his former love Karen, but she’s been too distracted by new boyfriend Billy to give him to the time of day. However, could Chantelle’s death be the thing that finally reunites the old flames? And will their shared grief over the loss of their daughter blossom into something more? “Mitch has had Karen to himself in lockdown, without Billy’s influence,” Roger tells us. “He’s had time for him to remember why they will always end up together. But now Chantelle’s gone, they both need each other; it’s that thing of going to the mutual person you know who knew the person you are missing. There’s nobody like the father of the child and the mother of…

Jamie’s hit-and-run secret is revealed to Moira this week – and Cain goes after Jamie with a baseball bat, intent on his own form of justice… Belle panics when Moira tells her she knows the truth about the accident, and while Moira tries to make sense of it all, Belle flees. Belle meets with Jamie, and the pair head to the lake to find the evidence tying Jamie to the accident – but they’re not alone… “Cain comes screeching up in his car with a face like thunder!” exclaims Eden Taylor-Draper, who plays Belle. “He’s armed with a bat, and Belle knows that all Cain wants to do is kick Jamie’s head in for what he’s done to Moira! He’s not there just to warn Jamie, he’s all guns blazing,…

We all know that Belle is a Dingle through-and-through, and Eden reveals that her alter ego could definitely turn to the dark side, just like the rest of her family… “Obviously Jamie’s the dark, serious, bad character – but it’s within every Dingle to turn, so they can do what they believe is the right thing,” she comments. “And Belle is completely capable of that – and when pushed, she could definitely do her worst. I just think that she really needs to get out of this mess, she needs a simple, happy life, and I don’t think Jamie’s doing that for her!”…

Debbie tells Kevin that Abi is having an affair with Peter this week, after she spots them meeting in secret! Debbie drops the bombshell on Kevin when she discovers that Abi’s been lying in regards to her whereabouts, as she tells Debbie she’ll be spending the day with Seb and is later seen in a cab with Peter. Of course, Debbie assumes the worst… “Debbie has had enough, and her blood boils,” explains Sue Devaney, who plays Kevin’s concerned sister. “She is furious that Abi has lied to her, so this is the time to tell Kevin. It has gone on too long, and Abi isn’t only trying to pull the wool over Kevin’s eyes, but she is doing it to Debbie too – and she won’t stand for that.”…