Table of contents for 17 - 2021 in Inside Soap UK

“It’s silly and camp, but a whole lot of fun…” Oh, I do love it when soap goes proper ‘soapy’ – as per recent episodes of Emmerdale, where we saw a mysterious perpetrator sprinkle some poisonous powder into Kim Tate’s brandy decanter. Okay, it’s silly and camp, but also a whole lot of fun. Don’t get me wrong, we totally applaud the soaps for the issue stories they tell so well, and for the great writing and acting we see as couples come together through adversity, or families are torn apart. However, sometimes you need a bit of something that’s just sheer, unapologetic entertainment. The mystery of Kim’s poisoner will carry on for a while yet, with little clues and big red herrings being dropped in over the coming weeks.…

Troubled mum-to-be Diane puts her and her family in deadly peril this week, when she becomes fixated on the electricity in her home… Since discovering she was pregnant, Diane’s behaviour has slowly grown from a fear of germs to compulsive cleaning. But will Tony realise how much his wife is struggling? “Diane has an accident – it all gets out of hand…!” “Diane feels as if she’s lost all control,” explains Alex Fletcher, who plays the worried mum. “She’s exhausted with her pregnancy, and also there’s the fact that she’s having her husband’s father’s child, which would blow anyone’s mind! By making sure everything’s clean, tidy and everyone’s safe, she’s getting some of that control back. But Diane’s checking everything all the time, then doubting that she’s checked it in…

JAMIE He seems to have been playing nice, but Jamie has a dark side. As a vet, he’d have access and know how to use all kinds of deadly drugs… GABBY She’s been desperate to prove herself Kim’s evil ‘Mini-Me’, and keeps passing Kim a well-filled brandy glass. But would she really poison her only support at Home Farm? MACK He’s certainly no killer, but Mack does like to let himself into Home Farm and meddle in the business of the big house. Is putting Kim out of action just part of a long con? CHARITY No one alive has a more bitter history with the Tates than Charity. Yes, she seemed suprised by Kim’s weakened state recently, though few people come the innocent like Charity! JOE Missing Tate heir…

Worried Frankie makes it her mission to find out what’s going on with new sister Nancy this week – but she’s left shocked by what she discovers… Despite having only just met, Frankie wants to support Nancy, certain something is deeply troubling her. But after Nancy rebuffs her sister’s offer of a shoulder to cry on, she tries a different tack, following Nancy to sees where she’s going. However, Frankie is left with even more questions. “Nancy has some serious explaining to do,” whispers our Walford source. “Frankie knows something’s wrong, and Mick and Linda are worried sick. By going after Nancy, Frankie believes she’ll get to the bottom of what’s going on – but she ends up getting more than she bargained for!” Meanwhile, Mick and Linda continue to…

Leah catches Sid writing a song for a mystery girl this week, but who has caught the lad’s eye? It’s no secret that Sid has been growing closer to his school teacher Courtney in recent weeks – with the teen feeling as though he’s found a confidante in her since having part of his leg amputated. So when Leah arrives back at the Lomax house to see Sid penning a love song, she assumes Sid must be harbouring a crush on his teacher. However, is Courtney really the brunette girl Sid’s singing about?…

New parents Nate and Tracy have a massive falling-out this week, leading him to consider staying with his mum! With tensions rising at home, Nate feels as though he can’t do anything right at the moment. He’s struggling to support Tracy, and their constant arguing has left the dad at his wits’ end. However, when Faith discovers that Nate is making plans to leave, she demands that he reconsiders, and encourages him to arrange a special surprise for Tracy. Can her idea possibly work?…

In the end, the question of the paternity of Tiffany’s child will come down to the matter of who has the stronger little swimmers. Which tiny tadpole won the race? While it’s easy to believe that alpha-male Grant will prevail in this biological battle, we can’t discount cowardly Tony’s teeny soldiers sidling up on the sly. However, all such speculation is put on hold this week, when Tiffany goes into labour in the middle of a right old slanging-match with Grant, who then feels obliged, somewhat resentfully, to take his young wife to the hospital. Tiffany spends the next few hours in excruciating pain, and with the doctors struggling to read a heart rate, an emergency caesarean is ordered. When a baby is delivered, all present fear the worst, and…

“ People have really liked Dawn and Jamie together, which is quite surprising!” reveals Dales star Olivia Bromley, as we quiz her on her character’s on-off romance with posh boy Jamie Tate. “I didn’t think it would be a hugely popular pairing, because Jamie is still being a nasty character, and the situation with Gabby is very messed up. However, people have actually been really supportive of it, which is interesting. Viewers can see there’s chemistry between Dawn and Jamie.” It’s that sizzling chemistry that’s led to Dawn just not being able to keep away from Jamie, even though deep down, she knows he’s no good for her! But can they really make their romance work? Olivia reckons they have a tough battle ahead of them, especially with their disapproving…

This week, Dev has the displeasure of meeting Corey’s father, Stefan – and it’s pretty clear to see where Asha’s arrogant boyfriend gets his charm from! Stefan clearly couldn’t give a stuff about his son’s antics, leading furious Dev to give him a piece of his mind. But while Stefan is a newcomer to the Street, soap fans will know that actor Paul Opacic is no stranger to being in the midst of massive drama – after all, he was Steve Marchant, who loved and lost Kim Tate right after she’d offed husband Frank in Emmerdale! Paul also had to keep control of Larkhall’s inmates as prison officer Mark Waddle in Bad Girls, and most recently enjoyed a stint in Hollyoaks as Carl Costello, where he romanced Mitzeee Minniver and…

She said YES! CORRIE’S ALI AND HER FELLA JOE SHARE THEIR HAPPY NEWS! It’s a nerve-wracking moment for any man when they pop the question, but luckily for Joe Parker – boyfriend of Corrie star Alexandra Mardell, aka Emma – the answer he received was pretty definite! “1,000,000 times yes!” posted 27-year-old Ali after Joe presented her with a stunning diamond ring. “You make me so happy, my face hurts! Love you ridiculously.” She even signed herself off, “Future Mrs Parker.” Meanwhile Joe, 26, was over the moon with Ali’s answer, posting: “Went into lockdown with a girlfriend, came out with a fiancée. What a lucky man I am. Can’t wait to marry you.” And their Corrie mates were quick to congratulate them. “SO thrilled!” posted Georgia Taylor, aka Toyah.…

While we await sunshine lasting more than an hour in Blighty, A Place In The Sun fills the gap with 30 new episodes, as the team tries to find house-hunters their ideal holiday home. Inside TV got on the blower to presenter Jasmine Harmen to find out where she’s been to in this latest series – and how the pandemic affected plans… “I’ve done an episode in Italy, and a few in France, in some really beautiful areas,” she shares. “I was lucky, because we were in France when there were rumblings that they might lock down, so we went straight from there to Cyprus. The countries we were filming in changed constantly, so we had to be adaptable. It did make things quite challenging at times!” We’d imagine it’s…

CASUALTY Faith Cadogan...................... Kirsty Mitchell Leon Cook....................... Bobby Lockwood Iain Dean...................... Michael Stevenson Charlie Fairhead.............. Derek Thompson Ethan Hardy.................... George Rainsford David Hide................................ Jason Durr Jan Jenning............................... Di Botcher Dylan Keogh........................... William Beck Fenisha Khatri....................... Olivia D’Lima Marty Kirkby................ Shaheen Jafargholi Jade Lovall.......................... Gabriella Leon Lev Malinovsky........................... Uriel Emil Rashid ‘Rash’ Masum............. Neet Mohan Jacob Masters....................... Charles Venn Robyn Miller................ Amanda Henderson CORONATION STREET Aadi Alahan......................... Adam Hussain Asha Alahan......................... Tanisha Gorey Dev Alahan........................ Jimmi Harkishin Aggie Bailey......................... Lorna Laidlaw Edison Bailey......... Trevor Michael Georges James Bailey..................... Nathan Graham Michael Bailey....................... Ryan Russell Ronnie Bailey........................ Vinta Morgan Adam Barlow................. Samuel Robertson Ken Barlow......................... William Roache Peter Barlow....................... Chris Gascoyne Sarah Barlow........................... Tina O’Brien Simon Barlow.............................. Alex Bain Leanne Battersby................... Jane Danson Toyah Battersby.................... Georgia Taylor Emma Brooker............... Alexandra Mardell Chesney…

Just the everyday story of a man who boosts his artisan sandwich business when he unknowingly strips naked on an Instagram live stream after a mayonnaise bottle explodes. Could happen to anyone. Is Gabby going to go full ‘Annie Wilkes in Misery’ looking after Kim? We hope so… “You’re just a cockadoodie dirty birdie, Kim.” We admire the commitment of soap actors who bubble so we can have natural scenes like this. Who from your workplace would you live with to help your employer? Woman leans on hearse to flirt with man leaning on gravestone. It’s very 2021. Fiz and Tyrone reaching the end of their road is the sort of thing that happens everywhere, every day. Small drama, perhaps, but refreshingly real – and with implications as devastating as…

If Peter’s surgery goes ahead, there are still risks, and no guarantees he’ll be cured. Complications include infections, kidney problems, and his body rejecting the new liver. But most people live for more than 10 years after a liver transplant, with many surviving for 20 years or more. So in Peter’s case, the benefits more than outweigh the risk. That said, the key to Peter’s salvation also relies on him staying off the booze. Is this the incentive he needs to finally kick his habit for good?…

With the newest addition to Diane’s family not too far off arriving, Alex tells us that she can’t wait for her alter ego to get back into the swing of family life! ‘I’m not sure how she and Tony will handle it,” she muses. “But I know that for me, I can’t wait to see my on-screen kids again, because I haven’t seen them in what feels like a lifetime as they haven’t been on set [due to Covid filming restrictions]. They’ll be getting so big now. I have a feeling that the next storyline we have is sure to involve them, but when the new baby arrives, we’ll actually be working with a doll. I’m a bit gutted that we don’t have a real baby to work with, as…

As Kelly settles in with new foster parents Toyah and Imran, trouble is heading their way in the form of the teen’s mum, Laura! Last seen causing Gary grief while sniffing out the disappearance of her loan shark ex, Rick Neelan, Laura will rock up in Weatherfield again as Kelly falls in with bad-lad Corey and his unsavoury pals. Star Kel Allen, who plays Laura, confirmed her comeback with a behind-the-scenes snap, referring to her alter ego as “Hurricane Laura”. The Street had better batten down the hatches! Meanwhile, there’s good news for Jenny when her hubby Johnny is released from prison. Richard Hawley, who plays the Rovers landlord, was snapped back behind the bar by his Corrie co-star Trevor Michael Georges (Ed). Finally, there will be a reprieve for…

Departing Neighbours star Sharon Johal has added her voice to the allegations of racism said to have occurred behind the scenes of the Aussie soap. The actress – whose character Dipi’s exit story airs on Channel 5 this week – shared a statement on social media supporting allegations made by her co-stars Shareena Clanton (the second Sheila Canning, who is yet to appear on UK screens) and Meyne Wyatt (who played Nate Kinski). “Like my colleagues who have spoken out over the past week, I too have experienced direct, indirect and casual racism,” wrote Sharon, before providing examples. “From what I understand, and what has been communicated to me by other cast and crew, these incidents, while directed at me, are not unique to me.” However, Sharon – who is…

“It’s like I’ve woken up, and the world is suddenly in colour. It’s time to take life by the horns!” Oh, give us strength. “Tina will be on a beach somewhere, a cocktail in each hand, tonguing the life out of a Swedish bird.” Goodness. “Today, Peter is either getting wed or dropping dead. Either way, he’s going to need flowers.” Thanks a bunch, Tracy. “Nina, Nina… Drinking Ribena. In a Ford Cortina.” All hail the new Poet Laureate. “I just want to be like any other man.” “It’s not like Roy is going to do cartwheels in his underpants, shouting about it in the street.” “It is an unlikely scenario.” Corrie is holding that back for the big October stunt. “Well, you want to set your sights higher than…

Christian attacks Lewis this week, after finding out that he’s being investigated at the hospital! At Salt, Christian receives a call advising him that the family of a recently deceased patient wants an autopsy. After Christian drowns his sorrows, Tori has to help him home, and they cross paths with Jasmine and Lewis. Blaming Lewis for always undermining him at work, Christian lashes out. However, to Jasmine’s surprise, Lewis turns smug – and tells Tori to report Christian’s behaviour……

FAIR CITY • Juliet looks forward to spending more time with James this week, but soon Alex threatens to expose Juliet’s sugar-daddy secret! Meanwhile, Carol disapproves of Liam’s decision not to tell Hayley the truth. And Pete is slow in getting No 41 a new microwave… RIVER CITY • Dylan admits his feelings for Ruby this week, and when she doesn’t react well, Cameron seizes an opportunity… Elsewhere, Alex decides to hide the DNA doubts from Rory and Amber. Plus, Rebecca and Levi keep quiet about their drunken kiss! THE ARCHERS • Ben and Ruari put some skeletons in the closet this week, but will Justin agree to let the past rest in peace? Meanwhile, Ed attempts to help Mia navigate her way through some delicate matters of the heart……

I think there’s a possibility that Bernie could be the one behind the trolling of Cathy. She was acting a bit strangely with Brian and, let’s be honest, it sounds like something she would do… Lucy I’m glad they’re exploring different avenues with this trolling story. Usually when you think of keyboard warriors, you think of angry teenagers just being petty. But actually it can be anyone. I hope it proves to people that no good can come from writing anonymous messages. John, Southampton I know Cathy thought Tracy might be behind sending the wreath, but I think Tracy has bigger fish to fry. Though saying that, Amy was the one who spray-painted the Kabin, so the culprit may well still be someone from the McDonald household. Joel, Glasgow Some…

When Emmerdale first returned to filming after last year’s lockdown, children weren’t allowed on set – which meant that Dawn’s son Lucas was often upstairs playing, or out for a walk with Harriet. But now, young actor Dexter Ansell has returned to filming, and Olivia is delighted… “Oh, it’s really nice – it was a long time of him being upstairs!” she jokes. “It’s lovely to finally have him back. Dexter is a brilliant little actor, and a lovely presence to have on set. It’s always nice to have him around.” And Olivia tells us that the youngster is coping with the Covid rules better than most adults on set! “Kids are so adaptable,” she points out. “That’s what has amazed me. He’s not been at school, he’s had to…

When Inside Soap catches up with Walford’s Clair Norris, who plays Bernadette, it’s an exciting time. Not only as Bernie looks set to embark on a huge new storyline, but because in real life, hair and beauty salons are finally open! “I’ve just been to get my brows done,” Clair tells us excitedly, as she joins us on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. “Honestly, I feel like a new woman!” We don’t doubt it! In fact, we have to stop ourselves from gassing about our own post-lockdown triumphs, so that we can quiz Clair on why Bernadette is in the frame this week to be Stuart and Rainie’s new surrogate! At first, it looked as though the Highways would pay Tiffany to carry a baby for them – and then Bernie’s…

“This is the second acting job I’ve ever had in my life!” reveals Shobhit Piasa, as home truths concerning his Ackley Bridge alter ego – new kid on the block Tahir – are revealed this week. “So as much as I was joining a new school in terms of my character, I was also joining the industry as a new actor and figuring out how to do things. “But Sunetra [Sarker, aka Tahir’s auntie Kaneez] and everyone else has really helped me out. I’m here to learn and it’s been an amazing experience, bouncing off everyone who knows what they’re doing.” For Ackley’s Tahir, meanwhile, there’s been no learning curve required, as the confident charmer has apparently had no problem finding his feet during his first week. But as term…

There’s a bevy of stars joining Noel in the cast, including former Corrie star Catherine Tyldesley (Eva Price)… “From the moment I picked up the script, I couldn’t put it down,” enthuses Catherine, who plays Gemma and Zoe’s glamorous neighbour. “Kate’s life looks perfect: she’s so in love with her husband, she’s the mum who arrives at the school gates looking pristine, but her life is a bit of a show. “We all love a good nosy, don’t we?” she continues. “You feel naughty watching what you shouldn’t, and that’s going to be very addictive for the viewers, I think. Plus, just when you think you know what’s happening, you realise you haven’t a clue. It’s real edge-of-your-seat stuff!”…

Working with Charity is Jimmy’s nightmare come true, and Nick says that he and co-star Emma Atkins are loving it. “I’ll pass Emma on the way into work, and she’ll say, ‘Have you seen our lines today?’ – it’s great,” laughs Nick. “No one in Emmerdale gets under Jimmy’s skin more than Charity. He really hates her. I mean, she slept with him for laughs, taped it and sent it to his wife!” The turbulent history between Tom King’s eldest son and his former fiancée is the stuff of Dales legend. We’re excited to see how toxic things get as they are thrown together again, especially as Charity is on the way back up from rock bottom, and Jimmy’s just arrived there. “This is a person Jimmy is both attracted…

Walford serial killer Gray will no doubt find himself in dangerous new territory in the coming weeks – as the moment of madness that led him to murder poor Kush looks set to ignite a war with the Mitchells! As Square departures go, Kush’s exit from EastEnders was one of the most shocking we’ve ever seen. Just as it looked as if he and Whit were ready to skip off into the Dubai sunset with young Arthur, Gray tracked them down to the train station as they were beginning to make their journey – and pushed Kush on to the tracks, claiming his third victim! Now, as Whit and viewers try to come to terms with Kush’s horrific death, the story is set to move up a gear. No one…

While fans are thrilled to see Nancy back on screen, actress Maddy Hill has opened up about the real-life anxiety she suffers from playing a high-profile TV character. The star, who is also known for appearing as Ruby Spark in medical drama Casualty, took to social media to explain that while she loves playing Mick and Linda’s daughter, she finds being recognised in public very difficult. “It’s been a cause of anxiety for me, which I had buried in true human fashion, and only realised recently,” shares the 31-year-old. “Me going back on screen coincides with us all emerging from lockdown… Surely many are feeling anxiety about socialising again?” Yet Maddy seems upbeat about her fears, signing off with, “I feel y’all, love y’all – and we’re all mad, anxious…

Bernice returns! Word has reached Inside Soap that Bernice is returning to Emmerdale! We’ll have the full report next week on what this will mean for her ex, Liam, and his new love Leyla… Trouble for Paul? Neighbours has confirmed that Tim Kano is reprising the role of Leo Tanaka for a guest stint. How will the Robinsons feel about his return, after Leo helped Elle to sabotage Paul and Terese’s relationship? Time for change The actor behind Hollyoaks’ Brooke has changed their name to Tylan, after coming out as non-binary last year. “That’s probably been one of the biggest transitions of my life,” they said at the time.…

Former Hollyoaks star Carley Stenson (Steph Cunningham) arrives in Letherbridge this week, to play newly qualified police sergeant Harriet Shelton, alongside more experienced officer Rob, who has been assigned as her mentor. Rob is moaning to Jimmy about said mentoring request when he’s surprised by Harriet’s arrival, but the pair are soon out on the beat together after receiving a call to interview a witness named Martin at St Phil’s Hospital. While Rob seeks out Martin’s doctor, Harriet takes his statement – but is flustered when it transpires that Martin has a stammer. She’s horrified to realise that by finishing Martin’s sentences for him, she’s making things worse – and back at the station, police surgeon Jimmi has to step in to assist. What might Harriet’s misstep mean for her…

TIME FOR TEA I recently spotted the orange tea set in the Fowler house in EastEnders. Do you know where I can find something similar? Anne We’ve found the ‘Vintage Hocking Fire King Peach Lustre Teacup and Saucer’ on Etsy, which looks very similar! Or if you want something brighter, there’s the ‘Porcelite Seasons Coral’ set from Crosbys. SOAP HOPPING… I watched [ITV drama] Too Close last week, and recognised the woman who played Connie’s mum, Julia. Has she been in a soap before? Calvyn, Luton Julie was played by Eileen Davies, who is a regular in the soap world! Eileen has starred in Coronation Street three times, most recently as Flora McArdle, who was the mother of Vinny Ashford – otherwise known as Harvey McArdle, a victim of…

Doing stupid things because you’re heartbroken is a rite of passage for many teenagers, and Asha Alahan is no exception. The problem is that Asha’s antics could have some pretty serious consequences… Not content with jumping back into a relationship with Corey because Nina ended things, Asha’s moved in with her bad-lad boyfriend, too. Now they’re playing happy families in Leanne’s old flat, but Coronation Street actress Tanisha Gorey (aka Asha) reckons it’s far from domestic bliss. “Asha is attempting to prove to herself that she’s never been happier, as well as trying to convince Corey,” admits the star. “She’s trying so hard to make it work and for this so-called relationship to be perfect. Asha’s a smart girl, so she knows that this is wrong, but she doesn’t want…

WIT AND WISDOM “Thanks very much. You going to Weatherfield are yer?” Kevin’s first line, said to Alf Roberts as he hitched a ride to the Street “I’ve got some rags in the van…” Kev’s chat-up line on his first meeting with Sal “What sort of a fool do you think I am?” Sal during one of Kev’s many failed attempts at reconciliation “Rosie!” Kev “Sophie!” Kev THE KEY RELATIONSHIPS SALLY Sal and Kev were the Posh and Becks of Weatherfield, until Kev went and ruined the fairytale with that trollop Natalie Horrocks. Sally and Kev did eventually remarry, but once again Kev just couldn’t keep his monkey wrench in his toolbox. These days, the pair are good neighbours and firm friends. ABI Kev’s new love, ex-addict jailbird Abi, couldn’t…

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“The programme covers big moments in history that are relevant to all of us – they’re in living memory,” shares presenter Anita Rani, of this fascinating and emotional three-parter, in which people embroiled in recent events are hoping to track down a particular individual from that time. “It’s about real people caught up in those moments, and the impact on real lives,” she adds. “Remembering that, even in the most tumultuous times, humans come together and just one brief moment can change something completely for you.” In this week’s episode, Anita meets Karl, who was a passenger on one of the Underground trains targeted in the 7/7 London bombings of July 2005. Karl was comforted by a woman on his carriage who reached out and held his hand in the…

The ‘A-ha!’s may have gone, but the classic gentleman’s blazer remains, as Alan Partridge returns for series two of This Time. Here, Steve Coogan’s comedy behemoth explains what the programme entails… “It’s what’s known as a magazine show,” chirrups Alan. “Our goal? To deliver telly people talk about – what BBC execs refer to as ‘water-cooler TV’, even when you point out that everyone now works from home, so office water coolers are just stagnant receptacles going mouldy at the nozzle.” Subjects the show highlights are as ripe for debate as ever – anything from corporal punishment to vegetarianism. “We cover current affairs, hot-button topics, global issues and everyday niggles, all held together with good old-fashioned chat,” grins Alan. “And we underfill the show by about 30 per cent to…

Fight for this love! EASTENDERS Let’s face it, Mitchell weddings are never straightforward, are they? But as Ben and Callum’s wedding approaches, the pair seem to have more troubles than most. We’ve seen their plans go awry for the venue, and we’ll soon be introduced to a new arrival who’ll ruffle a few feathers for the couple. However, while all that can be dealt with, Ben and Callum’s relationship carries a lot of baggage – and next week, it really begins to take its toll… EMMERDALE The innoncent! Lydia’s already found herself saddled with debts which weren’t hers, and next week the kind soul is embroiled in even more bother through no fault of her own… CORRIE Wedding woes A bi becomes convinced her wedding is cursed next week, as…