Inside Soap UK 33 - 2022

It’s a challenge to predict when a soap character is going to hit the big time – to make that move from peculiar, mildly irritating newcomer to essential icon of their show. Roy Cropper was once merely Deirdre’s weirdo neighbour. Many viewers found Phil and Grant’s nagging shrew of a mother unbearable when she moved to Albert Square back in 1994. One clue is when the casting directors reach into their top drawer – for the skill of a David Neilson, or the star quality of a Barbara Windsor. Writers create these characters, but it’s actors who make them into legends. “She brings true showbiz pizzazz” Emmerdale’s Sally Dexter is the best of both those worlds; an impressive CV and true showbiz pizzazz. As with Peggy, her dazzle blots out…

First with the week’s HOTTEST headlinesBBC1 TUESDAY Phil and Sam unite this week to do what the Mitchells do best – dish out deadly revenge to someone who’s crossed them! Desperate to worm her way back into the family fold, Sam is delighted when Zack calls to say that he’s tracked down Lewis – the creep who raped her nephew, Ben. Hoping to show Phil that she’s worthy of the Mitchell name, Sam demands Zack take her to Lewis – as she coolly stashes a weapon in her handbag… “Sam may not look capable of firing a gun, but make no mistake, she means business!” declares our Albert Square insider. “She’ll stop at nothing to make Lewis pay for what he’s done to Ben – and if it earns her…

While Sam goes a long way to getting back into Phil’s good books, she still has many more skeletons in her closet that she’d rather he didn’t know about! Phil has no idea that his sister has been working with Jonah, launching a fake campaign of violence to scare Phil into handing over the reins of Peggy’s. But sadly for Sam, she hasn’t covered all of her tracks… “Shirley knows exactly what Sam’s been up to, and this week she threatens to expose all her dirty secrets!” gasps our gossip. “Of course, Shirley also makes it known that she can be persuaded to stay quiet – for the right price.” So will Sam bow to Shirley’s blackmail? Or risk blowing all of this week’s hard work if Shirley blabs to…

Charity and Mack are dealt the cruellest blow possible this week, when a trip to the hospital reveals their pregnancy is ectopic – and their baby won’t survive. It’s after Charity collapses in agony that she realises something is terribly wrong, and Mack is panicked when he arrives to find her on the floor. But as he scoops Charity up in his arms and rushes her to hospital, Mack is unprepared for the devastating news that awaits them… “For Mack it’s blind panic, peppered with denial,” explains Lawrence Robb, who plays him. “He’s totally inexperienced in scenarios like this, and he doesn’t understand what’s happening initially. His naivety on the subject combined with his denial means that Charity needs to boil it down for him.” “Mack reacts with blind panic…

What Charity and Mack go through this week is one of the most difficult things a couple can face. They’ve already had a lot of ups and downs in their relationship. So will this heart-wrenching tragedy be what finally tears the two of them apart? Or will it make them more united – and stronger? “It’ll be extremely difficult for them to move past, because he wants to talk about it, and she doesn’t,” reveals Lawrence. “There may be some resentment there, though it’s more confusion and hurt.” “A lot of the feedback we get from viewers is that the chemistry between Mack and Charity is great,” adds Emma Atkins (aka Charity). “People are hoping they stay together!”…

Summer’s future plans are left in tatters this week, after she fails one of her A-Levels – then collapses just as she’s about to go on holiday! It’s a terrifying moment for Summer’s boyfriend, Aaron, when he sees her unconscious on the floor in front of him, and it’s enough to send him into a blind panic. But as Summer comes round, will she and Aaron get to the bottom of what caused the blackout? “Aaron genuinely cares for Summer – so even if she does anything a little bit risky, he’s going to be looking out for her,” explains Harriet Bibby, who plays her. “The reason the two of them got so intense, so quickly, is because they’ve gone through similar situations, and they really connect. Aaron is definitely…