Inside Soap UK 04-2023

“Noele’s story proves tragically timeless” It’s my pleasure to devote four pages of our issue to the marvellous Nolly; a new three-part drama – hilarious and moving by turn – telling the story of surely the ultimate British soap star, Noele Gordon, and her sudden sacking from Crossroads at the height of her fame. (It was soap’s first big backstage scandal – well, if we’re not including the death of Grace in The Archers in 1955, burnt to death in a stable after the actress dared to ask for the same salary as her male co-stars.) Crossroads itself may lie outside your own memory – it’s pushing it for me, and I know a lot of relative whippersnappers read Inside Soap – but Noele’s story proves tragically timeless; of a…

First with the week’s HOTTEST headlines This is the devastating moment when Lola is forced to tell her young daughter Lexi the painful truth – she won’t survive her battle with cancer. Though Lexi is well aware that her mum’s illness is serious, the youngster has been holding out hope that the treatment Lola is undergoing will eventually cure her. But when Lexi’s clingy behaviour sets alarm bells ringing, Lola realises the time has come to be brutally honest… “Lexi has been feigning illness to take time off school – and it transpires that she wants to stay glued to her mum’s side until she’s better,” reveals our Walford spy. “The fact that Lexi is still holding out hope for a happy ending to this story breaks Lola’s heart, and…

Whether Lola will welcome her mum to the Square with open arms remains to be seen. But in real life, actress Danielle Harold is over the moon to have former Emmerdale and Holby star Patsy Kensit playing the role of her on-screen parent… “It’s been so lovely having Patsy join the cast, and an absolute honour to have her play my mum,” she grins. “I was really nervous about working with her because she’s just so great, but I was also really excited by it! “Patsy was so lovely and we’ve filmed some great stuff together – I have love, love, loved working with her,” adds Danielle. “Plus it’s been lovely to finally have a mum after being surrounded by men all of these years!”…

Nick’s nightmare intensifies this week, when innocent youngster Sam is encouraged into violence by wicked Damon! Now he knows that Damon is a stone-cold villain who ran his own son out of town, Nick is in no doubt of what his dodgy business partner is capable of. However, what he doesn’t know is that clueless Sam has turned to Damon for some life advice. The first Nick hears about their disturbing friendship is when Sam admits Damon gave him some tips on how to fight, and he used them on school bully Conny! The revelation sets alarm bells ringing, pushing Nick to make a dramatic confession… “Nick must do whatever it takes to stop Damon getting his claws into Sam!” warns our Corrie insider. “He’s been trying to play it…

Singleton Dee-Dee enjoys a fun flirt with Damon this week, unaware of what he’s really like. She’s at the Bistro event, where Damon takes to the decks and then lays on the charm as the pair chat. For Dee-Dee, it’s great fun to receive some attention from a handsome, confident guy. She’s been all about business since she first arrived on Coronation Street, so Damon’s interest is something that she laps up. However, what Dee-Dee doesn’t know is that she’s being playful with one of the most dangerous men in Weatherfield. As a legal eagle, she’s used to dealing with low-life criminals with scary résumés. Although right now, she just sees Damon as a charming potential crush. Could Dee-Dee end up getting badly hurt?…

Charity receives a call that turns her whole world upside down this week – but who is it from, and what do they tell her? The information she’s told rocks Charity to her core, and she spirals into a full-on meltdown. In fact, the news she’s just learned is so shocking that she can’t even confide in her nearest and dearest about it… “Charity’s just going through a pretty average day, putting together a little mobile device for when Chloe’s baby comes along,” reveals Emma Atkins, who plays her. “There’s a phone call out of the blue, and the audience doesn’t know who it’s from. But what Charity hears shocks her, and sends her flying off the handle. “Mackenzie doesn’t know there is anything wrong at this point, but they…