Inside Soap UK 23 - 2017

“There’s a heap of drama coming!” The drama seems to just keep coming in Corrie. Last week was all guns blazing – from the shock of Denise’s return (isn’t it great to see her back?), the melodrama of Nick’s near-death-by-quicksand (I think that’s the first time that phrase has ever been used in 25 years of Inside Soap!), to the disturbing new chapter in the Bethany story. And it just keeps going! We’ve got some sneak peeks of what’s in store from the big boss over on p10. But if it’s drama you want, then there’s a whole heap of it down Walford way as the boisterous Taylor clan arrive with a bang! It’s been a while since we’ve had a new family in the Square, so it’ll be interesting…

Cheating Aidan and Maria are in for a major shock this week, as Eva organises an extravagant party at the Rovers – where she intends to ask Aidan to marry her! Still oblivious to the fact that her beloved bloke has been doing the dirty with Maria, Eva has grown tired of waiting for Aidan to propose, so she decides to do the job herself. The scene is set with a Mexican-themed party in the pub – where, unbeknown to Eva, Maria and Aidan are busy getting jiggy in the loos! And when her guilty man finally makes an appearance, he’s in for a surprise… “Aidan is stunned,” admits Shayne Ward, who plays him. “Particularly since, minutes before Eva pops the question, the naughty boy is in the toilets with…

Aidan has been snogging two women for ages now. How have you been coping with the constant kissing scenes? It’s been an absolute breeze – it hasn’t been odd in the slightest! Because I’ve known Catherine [Tyldesley, who plays Eva] and Samia [Longchambon, who plays Maria] for some time, and I also know their husbands, there’s no awkwardness. Because you all get on so well, do the girls give you flak for Aidan’s behaviour? We do have a laugh about it all. It’s just a job at the end of the day – but what a job to do! What does your own girlfriend – ex-Hollyoaks star Sophie Austin, aka Lindsey Roscoe – make of Aidan’s antics? The other night on telly, Aidan and Maria were…

“The most excruciating thing for Rhona is her being seen as a victim” Rhona’s worst nightmare comes true this week, when she finds her rapist husband Pierce standing in her kitchen! It’s the first time the pair have been in the same room since the aftermath of their brutal wedding night, causing traumatised Rhona to finally tell the police that Pierce is the man who attacked her… “Pierce’s return forces Rhona’s hand, as she realises he is never going to go away,” explains actress Zoe Henry, who plays her. “She’s wanted to stuff it all under a mattress and forget about it, but when she sees him again, she is absolutely terrified.” Pierce’s return is triggered by Paddy, who tracks the lawyer down and begs him to come back to…

When Pierce’s mum, Martha, rocked up in the village during the lead-up to his wedding, he was clearly rattled. So what has gone on between them for Pierce to want her as far away from him as possible? Will it explain why Pierce has become such a monster? “Martha is coming back,” reveals Jonathan. “She’s so charming, nice and plausible – but there is something mysterious about her. She’s clearly harbouring a secret, which could be about what Pierce has done in the past. Do we believe Martha or Pierce? He’s a disturbed character, so there is definitely something lurking there.”…

If you thought Weatherfield’s recent bank holiday bonanza was exciting stuff, just feast your eyes on this jam-packed cobbles preview! Even MORE drama is on the way, as show boss Kate Oates tells us what’s next for our favourite Street characters… ROBERT & MICHELLE Heartbreak could be on the horizon for Steve’s former flame and her new love, as faces old and new threaten to rock their relationship. “We have some great stuff coming up with Robert and Michelle,” teases Kate. “They have a challenge when somebody from Robert’s past comes back, which will see them face their first problem together. Michelle’s ex, Will, is also coming back – that will be a test of how strong their partnership is.” BETHANY Meanwhile, poor Bethany isn’t yet…