Table of contents for 31 - 2016 in Inside Soap UK

While being torn between handsome Luke and sexy Aidan doesn’t sound like a bad thing, Samia has other ideas of what Maria’s romantic future should involve. Specifically, that her relationship-hopping alter ego should calm down and try to keep men at bay… “I think Maria should stick with being on her own for a while,” the star tells us. “I don’t think Luke is the guy for her – he’s too young. I believe Liam was the love of her life, and she’s never really found anyone who matches up to him.”…

Tracy has more than her dad to worry about this week – as she ends up in a fight with Vanessa. Things turn nasty when Vanessa sides with Leyla, who is trying to delay the wedding in the hope that David comes to his senses. Like Leyla, Vanessa is less than impressed with the speed at which David and Tracy’s relationship has been moving, and Tracy is hurt when Vanessa accuses her of taking advantage of a man fighting cancer. That’s when things turn really ugly… “Vanessa tells it how she sees it,” sighs our spy. “This is a person who Tracy considered to be a friend, so it really hurts. They’ve had a tricky relationship, but Tracy is now certain that Vanessa despises her.” Vanessa hasn’t forgotten the time…

FAIR CITY Robbie attacks Trigger this week, after Carol shares her most painful secret with him. As Carol fumes at Robbie for airing her clan’s dirty laundry in public, he sets out to get rid of Trigger by paying him off. Is that the last they’ll see of him? Elsewhere, Eoghan and Debbie squabble, and Eoghan confides in Tommy that his marriage is over. Although uncomfortable, Tommy takes the opportunity to tell Debbie they can finally be together… Also, Dermot is determined to hide his illness on his return from holiday. THE ARCHERS Helen is thrilled to receive some good news this week, and Anna uses the opportunity to talk about Ian and establish what went wrong. Although she’s hoping to build a case against Rob, Helen holds back. Will…

“NICK REALLY WANTS TO RUIN ROBERT AND GET HIS BISTRO BACK” In the months since Carla’s departure, the one thing that’s kept Nick warm at night is his burning hatred for Robert – the man who, as Nick sees it, wrecked his marriage before it had begun. Of course, it’s not really Robert’s fault. He wasn’t the one who cheated on Nick and then lied about it till the bitter end – that was all Carla’s doing. But she is living a new life in Devon while Robert is on the Street, living Nick’s – because it wasn’t just Nick’s woman Robert took, it was his restaurant, too. And so it is that all of Nick’s vengeful fury is now channelled into bringing Robert’s business to its knees… “Carla’s not…

“If I went on Mastermind, Corrie could be my specialist subject!” Alex has certainly livened up Roy’s Rolls since moving in, giving his Auntie Cathy – and poor Roy – the runaround with his cheeky antics. But he’s also proved a breath of fresh air for the couple, and with his mum Nessa currently living it up in Bali, he looks set to be keeping them busy for the foreseeable. Actor Liam – a self-confessed Corrie super-fan – couldn’t be happier to call Weatherfield his television home… What’s the best thing about being in Corrie ? The best thing for me is everyone here – they’re all brilliant. I’ve watched the show since I was a little boy, and if I was on…

Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe (Mercedes) had another gong to add to her collection, as she picked up the prestigious prize for Rear of the Year recently. The star won the title alongside movie star Tom Hiddleston – whose busy schedule meant he couldn’t attend the photocall. “Don’t spend years trying to change a certain part of your body,” said Jen. “It will probably never change, because it’s just in your genetics.” Wise words! Meanwhile, Jen’s former cast mate Jorgie Porter (Theresa McQueen) has been spotted out and about in LA, and seemed to be giving her screen cousin a cheeky run for her money! Jorgie has also been seen walking a boisterous terrier and getting her barnet seen to in a top salon – is she about to make the…

REVIVING A TV SHOW is a dangerous game, get it wrong and you alienate new viewers, and run the risk of upsetting fans of the original. However, we’re happy to say that BBC2’s new and improved Robot Wars seems to have got the balance right. Presenting team Dara Ó Briain and Angela Scanlon are a great counterbalance to the excitable commentator Jonathan Pearce. We’re impressed by the robots so far, too - and the battles are faster and far more intense than we can remember in the 90s. It’s all totally daft, of course, but it knows exactly how daft it is - that’s why it works.…

“I DON’T KNOW WHETHER ZAK IS IN LOVE WITH JOANIE OR IF IT’S INFATUATION” Zak Dingle prepares to make an honest woman out of Joanie this week – but as he waits to marry her, his bride-to-be goes missing! With many of the Dingles still furious that Zak left loyal Lisa for Joanie, the day is already fraught with bad feelings as emotions run high. It’s important to Zak to let the world know he’s devoted to Joanie – however, as she prepares to marry into a family who hate her, it’s not quite so simple for Joanie… “Zak calls Joanie the woman of his dreams, so he’s excited on the big day,” explains Steve Halliwell, who plays the groom. “I don’t know whether he’s deeply in love with Joanie…

Doomed Gail is heading for further heartbreak following the news that her husband Michael is leaving the Street. Star Les Dennis, who plays him, tells us it’s a departure we won’t want to miss… “As a lifelong fan of the show, playing Michael has been a dream come true,” says the former Family Fortunes host. “The talented team of writers have come up with a very dramatic exit for Michael, which will be exciting to film!” Meanwhile, the Corrie rumour mill has gone into overdrive with reports suggesting Leanne’s sister Toyah Battersby – played by actress Georgia Taylor – is making a return to Weatherfield. “Yes, I read that!” exclaims boss Kate. “I love the character, and because Leanne has a big story it would be tempting. Toyah is awesome,…

Kim hopes to play Cupid to Square singletons this week, when she organises a ‘lock and key’ dating night at The Albert! The party – which involves the ladies being issued with a padlock, then trying to find a man with the corresponding key – is a sure-fire ice breaker for lonely locals, and Kim is keen to recruit the hottest totty in Walford to make sure her money spinner is a success. So it’s no surprise that hunky Kush is top of her list of fit fellas that she wants to entice into the bar for the night… KUSH & DENISE But Kim’s not the only Foxy lady who wants to get her mitts on the market trader! She has no idea that her sister Denise has been flirting…

The McQueens are up to their old tricks again this week, as they break into a posh local shop and steal a load of baby clothes! With Myra expecting her eighth child, and money as tight as it always is for the chaotic clan, the mum-to-be is worried about how she’ll provide for her newborn once he or she arrives. But as we all know, the family matriarch has never been one to let a lack of money stop her. Having struggled to provide for all her other kids, Myra has her heart set on giving her latest little one the best start in life. So she ropes in her loved ones to help with a dodgy scheme… Armed with fake baby bumps in which to hide their loot, Myra,…

The other big relationship in Nick’s life is the one that he shares with brother David, who’s going through hell right now. It was Nick’s one-night stand with Kylie that almost finished the Platt marriage, and drove David to try to kill his brother in an accident that left Nick brain-damaged. But much like Nick’s bond with Leanne, all this history only serves to pull the brothers together in crisis. “David helped Nick when Carla left, and Nick is helping David now he’s lost Kylie,” says Ben. “I think Nick will be the only person David can talk to.” Of course, the brothers’ relationship has changed over the years, and that’s kept it fresh for Ben and Jack P Shepherd (David). “They aren’t so much older and younger brother now…

Joanne Cardsley might not have many friends in Hollyoaks after destroying Louis and Simone’s marriage, then bedding their teenage son Zack – but Inside Soap can’t get enough of her antics. We love that she goes all-out to get what she wants, without a second thought for anyone she has to walk over in the process! This week, Joanne plots to split up another couple after setting her sights on mechanic Joe – and vows to do everything in her power to get him away from Mercedes. But as we sit down for a chat with actress Rachel Leskovac, who plays the home wrecker, she insists her alter ego isn’t the wicked woman everyone believes her to be… “I don’t see Joanne as a malicious person – her intentions always…

“A love triangle with Eva and Maria? I’m not complaining!” Charm and good looks are a handy combination when you run a factory full of women – so being the boss of Underworld is all in a day’s work for Aidan Connor. His luck was in when blonde bombshell Eva fell for him – but now Aidan has everything to lose, thanks to his foolish fling with Maria! Fortunately, the Connors are no strangers to a good old-fashioned showdown – something that Best Newcomer and Sexiest Male nominee Shayne Ward is intensely grateful for… So there’s double trouble for Aidan, but it’s a double nomination for you, Shayne! Are you feeling chuffed? Well, I’m in the middle of eating a sandwich, and probably shouldn’t be having bread since I’m nominated…

It was nice while it lasted, wasn’t it? As temperatures soared across the country, the stars of soap managed to fit in a few rays between scenes - and it seemed that Corrie’s Jack P Shepherd was more than happy to take a break from David’s woes as he chilled by the Rovers. Not to be outdone, his co-stars Jane Danson (Leanne), Tisha Merry (Steph), Samia Ghadie (Maria) and Kym Marsh (Michelle) relaxed on the flags outside Emily’s house. We’re not sure Norris would approve! Away from the cobbles, Daniel Brocklebank made an eye-catching alteration to vicar Billy’s shirt that might give the bishop a turn! Simon Gregson (Steve) and Dean Fagan (Luke) had the best idea of all, though, hotfooting it to Tatton Park for the RHS Flower Show.…

I recently watched The Sopranos again. I know it’s not on TV at the moment, but I saw it again because I think it’s the best TV show of all time. I really love cooking shows such as Saturday Kitchen and MasterChef, and I watch quite a lot of live sport, too. I watched the film Victoria recently – it blew my mind. I also rewatched 2001: A Space Odyssey. I did physics with astrophysics at university, so I’m still a bit geeky in that respect. But part of me doesn’t care if it’s realistic – there needs to be a bit of artistic licence, otherwise it might be quite boring! I really love documentaries – the music documentaries on the BBC…

MIS WORLD Following the great success of War And Peace earlier in the year, Andrew Davies will be adapting Les Misérables (the original novel, not the musical) into a six-part series for BBC1. Watch this space for need-to-know casting news when we hear about it… FORDE FOCUS Comedian Matt Forde is to front a new six-part political comedy series for Dave. Unspun With Matt Forde will begin next month, and will take a satirical look at the week’s events in politics to help us make sense of it. DATE NIGHT Stars will be looking for love in upcoming E4 series Celebs Go Dating. Those taking part include Joey Essex, Charlotte Crosby and Tyger Drew-Honey . If you think you could be the ideal date for one of these beauties, email…

STEVE’S DOUBLE DADDY DRAMA! My jaw hit the floor when I found out that Steve is the father of Leanne’s baby in Corrie – I was so sure it was Robert! And with Michelle due to have a baby as well, it looks as if Steve is going to have his hands full… While I know it takes two to tango, I can’t help feeling sorry for Steve finding out Leanne is pregnant after their one-night stand. Just after things were settling down again with Michelle! It’s almost a repeat of what happened before with Karen and Tracy – maybe we’ll get some exciting scenes from this storyline, like the legendary wedding and christening fights! Michele, London I’m happy that Steve has confided in mum Liz…

ARIES 21 MARCH - 20 APRIL   Ever the thinker, you’ll find yourself brimming with ideas this week and keen to act on them - but make time to listen to the thoughts of those around you. Their words could offer an unusual insight. TAURUS 21 APRIL - 21 MAY   Your loyalty towards family members will no doubt be a source of comfort during a rough patch, but be sure to look after yourself this week and indulge in some restorative ‘me time’. GEMINI 22 MAY - 21 JUNE   A fondness for people-watching is simply part of your curious nature, but be careful this week that your interest in the behaviour of others doesn’t see you branded a busybody! CANCER 22 JUNE - 23 JULY   You’re a…

BULLSEYE! The big noise in EastEnders recently has been the reunion of brothers Phil and Grant – but it’s the younger generation of Mitchells who are the real stars of the show at the moment. Harry Reid has excelled in portraying Ben’s emotional turmoil, while Tilly Keeper is a natural at stepping up to the plate as steely Louise. They’re the future, we tell you! Just to maximise the mayhem in Steve’s life, we think Rover the dog should fall pregnant, too. You know it’s summer holiday time for the EastEnders cast when poor Scott Maslen has to spend a whole scene talking to a cupboard. It’s encouraging to see Summer Bay’s baby Casey already in training to join daddy Brax in the family business. He’s…

Whether Joanie will show up at the church is a closely guarded secret, but Steve says he’s in no doubt about what Emmerdale viewers think of the whole situation… “People often say to me, ‘You naughty man, get back with Lisa’!” laughs the actor. “They say that Joanie’s all right, but she’s not Lisa. I would like Zak and Lisa to get back together eventually, too. I love working with both Denise [Black, who plays Joanie] and Jane [Cox, aka Lisa] equally, but because of the long tradition of the Dingle family, and the fact their marriage was a symbol of loyalty and family values, I think Zak should be with Lisa. The viewers are probably right!”…

Grieving Ben continues to mourn the loss of his beloved Paul this week, and makes the agonising decision to see his boyfriend’s body. But as the events of that fateful night come flooding back, will Ben continue with his mission to hunt down Paul’s murderers? At the start of the week, the Mitchells continue to worry about devastated Ben following recent events. He’s been hell-bent on revenge, and even asked his father Phil to supply him with a gun so that he could dish out his own brand of justice. It looked for a while as if Phil was on his son’s side – but when Ben learned that his dad never actually had any intention of giving him the weapon, he stormed off, with no sign of him for…

Marilyn makes a welcome return to Summer Bay this week – just in time for poorly Alf to wake up from his coma! Back from her European travels, Marilyn heads straight to the hospital to see her sick friend, sitting by his hospital bed and begging him to wake up. It seems Marilyn is just the tonic Alf needs as he squeezes her hand – leaving his loved ones delighted that he’s finally come round following his heart attack. And Alf’s not the only one who’s pleased to see Marilyn, as her hubby John is over the moon to finally be reunited with his wife. But have Marilyn’s travels given her a new outlook on life? Also this week… Justin warns Tori about getting close to Nate, and…

ARSON! Teenage Andy decided to help dad Jack out of a financial bind by torching his barn so he could claim on his insurance. The trouble was, his mum Sarah became trapped by the blaze and burned to death. It continues to haunt Andy to this day. HIT-AND-RUN! Not long after, Andy was in bother again when he and a car full of teenagers mowed down and killed their head teacher, Barbara Strickland. Instead of coming clean right away, the gang took weeks to confess. SHOOTING! After wife Katie left him for his brother Robert, Andy wanted revenge – and planned to shoot his sibling! But the gun went off accidentally and he shot dad Jack instead. WIFE-BEATING! Andy’s marriage to Jo Stiles was pretty disastrous, especially as he couldn’t…

1 “Karl Collins [Louis] was the first cast member I met – we did a screen test together when I was auditioning for the role. Then when I got the part, he showed me the ropes because the Hollyoaks set is like a maze. I still get lost!” 2 “I share a dressing room with Kassius [Nelson, who plays Jade] and Kiza [Deen, aka Sonia] and we have a good giggle. You know when women get together and you have that raucous cackling? That’s what the three of us are like – it just gets louder!” 3 “Jen Metcalfe, who plays Mercedes, makes me belly laugh! She often comes out with the funniest things. And I don’t think she realises just how hilarious she is, which makes her even more…

“I was crying at the gym watching Kylie’s death!” Feisty Kate may have arrived on the cobbles wearing an engagement ring, but it didn’t stop Sophie from making a play for Carla’s gorgeous sister! And actress Faye has bagged herself a nomination in the Sexiest Female category… Congratulations on your nomination, Faye! How does it feel being one of Corrie’s Sexiest Females? It’s really overwhelming, because the other nominees are absolutely stunning! I’m all about women empowering women, and this is liberating. I’m really excited and I’m going to go with it. Have you embraced being one of the Connors? Absolutely! Shayne [Ward, aka Aidan] and Richard [Hawley, who plays Johnny] are just like a brother and dad to me. Shayne is always irritating me as…

“I’m very lucky to be a Barlow!” Youngster Amy is yet to even reach her teens – but with her wily ways and cunning schemes, she’s already showing signs of following in the footsteps of her terrible mother Tracy! We’re loving watching Amy coming into her own, and for 13-year-old actress Elle – who plays her – life on the Street couldn’t be any better. However, that’s not to say the nominee for Best Young Actor doesn’t still have to do her homework… Can you remember your first day at Corrie ? Yes, I loved it! My first scene was with Anne Kirkbride [Deirdre Barlow] – I adored Annie. I remember sitting on her knee. She was a lovely person to do my first scene with. I…

“I LOOK AT SOME OF THEM AND I JUST THINK, ‘YOU NEVER DID GCSE GEOGRAPHY, YOU CAN’T HAVE DONE’.” Coach Trip’s Brendan Sheerin despairs at the contestants’ unworldliness “RIBS ARE REALLY DIFFICULT, BECAUSE IT’S SO PAINFUL THERE - SO PEOPLE TENSE UP AND FLINCH MORE!” Tattoo Fixers On Holiday artist Alice Perrin talking about the hardest parts of the body to ink “FOR A LOT OF THEM, IT DOESN’T COME AS A TOTAL SHOCK. SOME BITS DO, BUT FOR A LOT OF IT, THEY’D JUST NOD.” The Three Day Nanny’s Kathryn Mewes thinks most parents were aware of flaws “YOU’VE GOT TO STEP UP AND YOU’VE GOT TO MATCH DAMIEN BECAUSE HE DOESN’T TAKE ANY PRISONERS!” James Murray reckons that Damien Molony on Suspects helped him to raise his game…

1 SATURDAY DVD GOTHAM - THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON The heat is turned up in this villain-centric second series, as darkness covers Gotham. When the battle for power becomes a game of intriguing alliances on both sides of the law, detectives Jim (Ben McKenzie) and Harvey (Donal Logue) lead the fight against crime. WIN! For the chance to win a copy, tell us which show Detective Jill Marsden was in: A) EastEnders, B) Casualty, or C) Holby City. Text ISWIN1, a space, then A, B, or C and your name & address to 87080 (50p). Or see below for postal entries. 2 SUNDAY DVD AGATHA RAISIN - SERIES ONE Ashley Jensen stars in this comedy series as rural crime queen Agatha Raisin. Having moved from London to the country, her…

HE’S THE JUAN! I just saw the advert for the kitchen towels – you know, the one with ‘Juan Sheet’ – and I’m sure the boy in it is little Richard from EastEnders! Steven, via email It is indeed! Talented young star Henri Charles was in the Plenty advert before landing the role of Richard. The youngster is also in the film Me Before You , which was out recently. GREEN WITH ENVY Kerry in Emmerdale has been wearing a really nice green biker jacket recently. Do you know where I can get one? Rachel, Sevenoaks You’ve come to the right place, Rachel! I can tell you that Kerry’s jacket comes from Zara, and is currently reduced from £49.99 to £19.99. What a bargain! Log on to…