Inside Soap UK 41 - 2017

“Harry and Nitin are lovely actors!” Well, it’s been a big week for soap gossip. We’re saying goodbye to Ben Mitchell, which is very sad for us here at Inside Soap as Harry Reid is one of the nicest actors we’ve ever had the pleasure to deal with. But as always with the soaps, it’s swings and roundabouts – because straight off the back of the news that Ben is departing, we can reveal that Masood is heading back to Walford! And Nitin Ganatra is equally one of the most lovely actors we’ve had the pleasure of working with. Plus, he’s the secret crush of a couple of our staff members, so they’re very happy! But it seems there’s little in the way of a silver lining when it comes…

“Stacey’s health deteriorates with no warning” Stacey is rushed into hospital this week, as complications threaten her pregnancy and doctors are given no choice but to deliver her baby early. Martin is overcome with emotion when he learns they have a daughter – but with both mother and baby in critical condition, the distraught dad is forced to contemplate the fact that they might not make it… “What happens is really serious – Stacey and the baby’s lives are at risk,” explains actress Lacey Turner, who plays the frantic mum. “It’s a big shock, as her health deteriorates with no warning, and that’s really frightening for everyone.” The crisis unfolds after Stacey learns that it was Carmel who called social services to report the bruising she found on little Arthur’s…

While the Fowlers face the agony of potentially losing a child, Lacey continues to shine as Albert Square’s tragic heroine. Inside Soap caught up with the star – who recently married childhood sweetheart Matt Kay in Ibiza – to talk about what it’s been like being in Stacey’s shoes for all the latest drama… Stacey hasn’t had a lot to smile about lately! How have you found this latest story? It’s felt like a really busy few weeks! It’s definitely good yet again for EastEnders to shine a spotlight on mental health problems via all that Stacey goes through. It seems like a lot happens in a short space of time – how much could happen to one person in two weeks? [laughs] But I guess this is Stacey we’re…

“Summer is loaded into an ambulance – Billy is terrified!” Billy and Todd face their first big test as Summer’s guardians this week, after the schoolgirl smokes a strange cigarette and passes out! However, it’s not just Summer’s actions that have horrifying consequences, as Billy flies into a rage and viciously attacks Peter – when it’s revealed that his son Simon dared Summer to puff on the dodgy fag in the first place! “Billy sees Summer being loaded into an ambulance, and he is terrified,” sighs actor Daniel Brocklebank, who plays him. “He promised Summer’s late dad, Drew, that he would take care of her – and within a few months of him taking her on, Summer is in hospital. Not only is Billy worried about her, but he has…

“Robert is a man on the edge, and his dark side is taking over” Evil Robert prepares to get rid of meddling ex Chrissie this week – by ordering her murder! Chrissie’s return to Home Farm has thrown Robert’s plan into chaos, and his hold over Rebecca and Lawrence is slipping. His only hope is to remove Chrissie, and then complete the fake investor plan that will put control of the estate into his hands. Little does Chrissie know that the man she used to love is now orchestrating her death… “There’s a fine line between love and hate, and Robert and Chrissie have been on both sides of it,” comments our Dales mole. “These days, his loathing of the Whites is the only thing keeping Robert going – he’s…

PLUMMET TALKS! Robert pushed ex-love Katie Sugden, leading her to fall to her death after she discovered his secret affair with Aaron. However, Katie’s death could be categorised as an accident because Robert didn’t know that the floor behind her would give way… ROCK BOTTOM! To silence Aaron’s mum Chas from revealing his affair, Robert almost struck Chas with a rock – though bottled it at the last minute. He later called a hitman on her, but another pang of conscience saw him frantically call it off, only just getting to the hitman in time. GRAIN OF TRUTH! After Robert grew sick of Paddy’s interference in his and Aaron’s life, he saw an opportunity when the vet got stuck in a grain pit – so turned on the auger and…