Table of contents for 24 - 2016 in Inside Soap UK

Bloomin’ football! It’s a hard life being a soap fan when the big tournaments are on, because as you’ll have discovered, it feels as if our soaps are being kicked around the schedule more than the ball! Luckily, Inside Soap is here to keep you up to date, so you don’t miss a thing. After all, there’s nothing more annoying than sitting down after your tea and thinking, ‘Ah, lovely, I’m just in time for Corrie’, only to be greeted with a couple of dozen silly men whacking a football around a field. Mind you, it could be worse I suppose – you could switch on to find EastEnders dusting off the once-every-five-years Queen Vic football plot, or even worse, Corrie could come back to that cricket match storyline they…

“I LIKE THE FACT THAT CARMEL RESONATES WITH WOMEN MY AGE” Albert Square’s Carmel has mixed feelings about turning 50 this week – but for Bonnie Langford, you’re only as young as the shiny new award sitting on your mantelpiece! The actress – who first found fame when she was just six years old – was recently crowned Best Newcomer at the British Soap Awards, and is thrilled to be f lying the f lag for accomplished stars who dare to try something different… “I feel amazed and really delighted!” beams Bonnie, as she joins us for a chat during a break in filming. “It’s really lovely that a newcomer doesn’t have to be young, and it shows that you don’t have to be a certain age to do something…

PROS Steve is an , but his heart is in the right place. Me and Steve have got through much worse than this. Amy is a smart girl. I’m proud to be her stepmum. Steve’s mum Liz is one of my best friends. Coronation Street has a gym, great parking, and a tram direct to Selfridges. CONS Steve is an idiot and I could do a lot better. The ‘worse than this’ was Steve cheating and dumping me for Becky. Remind me why I forgave him? Amy is Tracy’s daughter. She could grow up to be a proper witch. I’m living with my mother-in-law... Steve is an idiot. But – damn it! – I love him.…

1 “I was in awe of Anna Passey, who plays Sienna, when I joined the show. It was right in the middle of the storyline where Sienna was trying to steal Nancy’s life, and I loved that plot so much. So when I first saw Anna in the flesh, I was like, ‘Oh my God’!” 2 “Kirsty-Leigh Porter [Leela] and Jess Ellis [Tegan] are both so funny – they’re like a proper double act. They really make me laugh, and we all get on so well. I love their sense of style as well.” 3 “I mostly hang out with Persephone Swales-Dawson [who plays Nico] on set. We’re very alike in real life, even though Peri and Nico are complete opposites. But that’s why they work well as friends –…

EastEnders’ Linda Henry shed Shirley’s trademark leather jacket and stepped out looking lovely in a figure-hugging mini-dress at former TOWIE star Amy Child’s fashion show. The 53-year-old Walford favourite was clearly making the most of the opportunity to show off her real-life glam side as she was joined by husband Stavros Virilis at the launch of Amy’s new fashion range. Let’s hope she took one of Amy’s frocks back to the Square – with Buster’s head being turned by Kathy, Shirl may have to up her game!…

Every man needs a white shirt in his wardrobe, so treat him to this luxe version from River Island. Smart trousers are a must for a smart man. The ideal jumper for a stylish dad! Keep the style of the man of the house in check with this skinny-fit jacket. From the fabulous designer range by Jeff Banks, bag a bargain with these formal tassel loafers from Debenhams.…

SID OWEN Now that he’s left Walford behind, might a culinary career be on the cards for ex-EastEnder Sid? Failing that, he could always start a catering partnership with Ian Beale next time Ricky returns to the Square. LAILA MORSE Sid’s not the only familiar EastEnders face taking part in this year’s series, as Laila (aka Big Mo) will also be putting on an apron and rustling up some treats for the judges. TINA MALONE As matriarch Mimi in Shameless, Tina frequently took charge of her family around the dinner table. Mimi never took no for an answer, but will Tina be more receptive to criticism from John and Gregg? GLEB SAVCHENKO Strictly professional dancer Gleb was a big hit with viewers when he partnered Anita Rani last year –…

SUMMER CRIME Inspector Morse prequel Endeavour will return to ITV for a fourth series next year. The new episodes will be set in the summer of 1967, as Endeavour tackles his most perplexing case yet. PARALLEL LINES The Inbetweeners’ James Buckley will star in comedy series Zapped! for Dave. The series, which also features Sharon Rooney, follows a young man trying to make his way home from a strange parallel world. MARRY GO ROUND A new TV series is looking for couples who married in the 70s, 80s or 90s and have since experienced major, life-changing events. If you have a story to tell, email casting@curvemedia.com or call 020 3179 0099.…

BAILEY ROCKS! Dr Bailey is my new favourite character in Emmerdale. He’s accepted the fact he’s a rotter, and embraced it. The scene where he pointed James in the direction of Emma’s private medical records was shameless! And what about his appreciation of funny cat videos? Hilarious! Mary, via email But you wouldn’t want him as your GP, would you? JOHNNY NO GOOD I really like Corrie’s Johnny, but he’s way too soft on the factory workers. What with giving Izzy a suspension with full pay, and promoting Jenny because he fancies her, Johnny’s no Mike Baldwin or Carla Connor. The way he’s going, Underworld will be bankrupt within the month! John, Sevenoaks At least he’s not gambling the business away… RUNNING A KYLE I can’t believe that Home and…

It won’t be too long before we see Grant Mitchell back in Walford again, if a cheeky update from beloved star Ross Kemp is anything to go by! The actor has begun filming on EastEnders for his next stint on the Square – and posted this rather revealing picture on Twitter as he prepared for the role… “From learning my lines in the sun yesterday to @bbceastenders today,” he tweeted. “No spoilers, but Grant is back soon!” It’s no secret that Phil’s brother has plenty of ‘unfinished business’ in Albert Square, and is due to settle some old scores when he returns for three weeks this summer. The conflict between the two men is as fraught as ever, with Grant having already promised to bring a ‘war’ to Phil’s door…

Reenie returns to the village this week – and although Celine is thrilled to welcome her mother back to the McQueen house, Cleo is keen to keep her distance. With Pete’s trial on the horizon, Reenie has no idea just how much trouble he’s caused for her family since she’s been behind bars. And when Celine admits to her mum that she tried to kill her sister’s abuser, furious Reenie decides to deal with Pete in her own way. Over a drink, Reenie attempts to trick her perverted husband into making a confession – but will she acquire the evidence she needs to send him down? Also this week… Nancy and Darren try to stop Maxine dating Adam, and Nathan has a revelation for Rachel’s parents.…

FAIR CITY Wayne and Robbie take part in a wheelchair basketball game this week, but Robbie becomes irritated by Wayne and things turn aggressive. When Dan and Carol encourage him to calm down, Robbie lashes out… Elsewhere, Decco worries about the cost of his and Kerri-Ann’s wedding, and asks for a loan. Also, Rachel says that Katy may have been spotted! RIVER CITY Robbie feels compelled to confront Kelly-Marie over her self-destructive behaviour this week – and discovers that she’s been hiding a secret. Meanwhile, Angus and Cassie are forced to bring their wedding forward – but best man Bob refuses to support the sham ceremony. Also, the wedding drama prompts Bob and Ellie to discuss their own issues. THE ARCHERS Kate is overwhelmed by plans for the summer solstice…

“Carmel would want a tall, dark and handsome fella like Pierce Brosnan as her king. She could have Danny Dyer [Mick] – he looks like a young James Bond!” “Her lady in waiting would be Denise, for sure. They’re firm friends, so they’d stick together – they would be in cahoots the whole time!” “Carmel would throw Kim in the stocks, just for fun. But she adores baby Pearl, so she’d make sure she was being looked after, too.” “Historically, court jesters were known for stirring town gossip, so that would be perfect for Aunt Babe. And being put in a silly hat would be the ultimate humiliation for her!” “Carmel’s national anthem would be No More Tears. The writers nearly had Diane Parish and I belting out something like…

The hell that broken-hearted Belle is going through at the moment isn’t exactly what the doctor ordered – but he’s certainly to blame for most of it! The troubled teen’s ill-fated affair with village GP Bailey has turned Belle’s life upside down, and this week it’s his turn to cop some of the flak. As Belle is arrested for breaking in to Bailey’s home, her brother Cain gets to do what he’s been itching to do since finding out the pair were involved: beat Bailey to a pulp. There’s even worse to come as the married medic is rushed to hospital – but according to actor Micah Balfour, who plays the village love cheat, it’s nothing less than his alter ego deserves… “I would say this is the week that…

Given that Nina Wadia – who played Syed’s mum Zainab in EastEnders – had already done a stint in Holby as consultant Annabelle Cooper, Marc was confident that joining the hospital drama was the right move for him… “I’ve spoken to Nina a lot about the show,” he tells us. “I was nervous about my first day, but she told me I had absolutely nothing to worry about and that I’d have a ball. “I’d love to work with Nina again in the future,” adds Marc. “We had a brilliant time doing EastEnders together, and I just adore her.”…

This will be Matthew’s first Father’s Day as a dad-of-two. Last December, the 36-year-old welcomed second son Bowie with partner and co-star Charley Webb (Debbie) – a brother for six-year-old Buster. And Matthew admits the new baby has been a real tonic as he plays David’s cancer storyline: “I get home, Bowie gives me a big smile and I forget everything!” As the legendary Dr Karl, he’s raised his own family, and taken in numerous Ramsay Street waifs and strays over the last 20 years. Off screen, Alan has two kids with TV newsreader wife Jennifer Hansen – Tom, 18, and 21-year-old Veronica. But he’s so synonymous with Karl, even they call him “Doctor Dad”! It’s a soap dynasty in the making! Bruno and his former partner Victoria Roscoe had…

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THERE’S SOMETHING quite familiar about The Catch. With its cast of glamorous characters using questionable methods, and the way it fills in gaps in the story with flashbacks, it’s very reminiscent of Scandal. That’s no surprise because The Catch’s executive producer is Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes. But this tale of a private detective seeking revenge on her fraudulent former fiancé is glossier and more fun than Scandal so far, which makes it just the sort of summer viewing that we like - a bit of escapism where we don’t have to worry about anybody getting waterboarded……

“WE’RE COMMITTED TO EACH OTHER FOR SIX MONTHS A YEAR, SHE’S LIKE MY PART-TIME WIFE.” Big Brother’s Rylan Clark-Neal on his fellow presenter Emma Willis “I’VE GOT A COUPLE OF HER JACKETS, BUT I’M LIKE ‘IT’S A WEE BIT TOO AGATHA FOR THE SCHOOL RUN’.” Agatha Raisin star Ashley Jensen kept some of the outfits - now she just needs somewhere to wear them… “WHAT PARTLY ATTRACTED ME TO THE CHARACTER IS THAT HE’S AN ANNOYING PERSON TO SPEND TIME WITH.” Mark Addy enjoyed the curmudgeonly side of DS Sands in New Blood “MY CHARACTER IS A GLASS HALF-EMPTY TYPE, SO WHICHEVER WAY IT GOES IT’S GOING TO BE MORE WORK FOR HIM.” Jack Dee on the referendum’s probable effect on his Power Monkeys character Oliver…

Babe’s cruel torment of Pam and Les in Walford has been heartbreaking to watch, and you can’t believe how low she’s sunk. It’s no wonder Les has turned to Christine to help him cope… I knew Babe was a vile old woman, but the way she’s been blackmailing Pam and Les shows that she is an absolute monster! What kind of person would use something so personal in such a vindictive way? Miriam, via email I really hope Pam comes out fighting for her family against Babe – it would be great to see her feisty side! And I hope we’re able to see Babe get her comeuppance soon. Chris, Mitchelstown While I really do feel for the Cokers, they’re just not helping themselves. Keeping secrets is giving Babe all…

ARIES 21 MARCH - 20 APRIL   You’ll struggle to keep your fiery temper in check this week, but it’s paramount that you calm down pronto! You may say something you regret, and that will only upset someone important. TAURUS 21 APRIL - 21 MAY   Although outside is getting brighter, inside is tinged with sadness for you this week. It can be easy to wallow, so give yourself time to heal and to process recent events. Things will pick up again soon! GEMINI 22 MAY - 21 JUNE   Someone close to you will have something you want this week, but that doesn’t mean you can take it. Try to consider why you’re so jealous, and instead look at ways to make your life more fulfilled. CANCER 22 JUNE…

BULLSEYE! Tipsy Bernice merrily ploughing a JCB into Mill Cottage was easily the best scene of the week. As she cackled at the destruction she’d caused, we laughed with her, but when she broke down over her crumbling marriage to Lawrence, we shed a tear too. Samantha Giles’ performance was simply stunning! Tim shares our feelings about the whole Steve-Michelle-Will plot. Oh, just pipe down, the lot of you! We have new Dales spies! We smuggled a pair of parrots into the vets’ surgery, and now we’re hearing all the secrets. (You can rely on parrots to repeat everything.) Eileen took what could be the last picture of her two boys sitting at the family breakfast table. Hardly a Kodak moment, is it? Max is back! Hooray! But now he’s…

Danielle first arrived in Walford secretly seeking her mum Ronnie. But Ronnie had no idea Danielle was her daughter – as she’d been told by her evil dad Archie that her baby had died. Danielle turned to Ronnie for support after getting pregnant, and Ronnie went with Danielle for the termination. However, things soured when Ronnie told Danielle that she regretted having a baby when she was younger… Wicked Archie discovered that Danielle was Ronnie’s daughter, and started to manipulate her. He told Danielle that Ronnie was depressed and that they had to wait to tell her the truth – but it was all to buy him time to get Danielle out of the picture. On the day of Archie’s wedding to Peggy, Danielle thought he had told Ronnie the…

“ MARLON IS CERTAIN THAT PIERCE IS SEDUCING RHONA AS PART OF AN AGENDA” Marlon can’t hide his anger over Rhona and Pierce being together this week – and decides to take revenge. Fuming to have learned that Rhona – who is still married to Marlon’s best mate Paddy – has taken up with a man he can’t trust, the chef is on a mission to make Pierce suffer. So when Carly drops off laxatives for his daughter April while he’s at the pub, he chooses to put some in Pierce’s gravy! But how will meddling Marlon cope with the potentially devastating consequences of his actions? “Like Vanessa, Marlon really can’t stand Pierce,” admits our Dales insider. “Neither of them trust him, and they think it’s downright ridiculous that Rhona…

Headstrong Lauren swallows her pride this week – and asks her former boyfriend Steven for another chance. Although she was the one who called off the romance, Lauren has been missing her man, and knows she made a mistake. It’s been complicated for the pair since they returned from New Zealand to support Ian in the wake of Bobby’s attack on Jane – and now that Bobby has confessed to Lucy Beale’s murder, Lauren is no longer carrying the burden of the truth. But her actions have left her at odds with her family, especially recently released Max, who is furious with her for protecting the Beales and letting him rot behind bars. Isolated from her father, Lauren is determined to convince Steven that they should reunite. But after she…

It’s a big day for Jac this week, as she prepares to unveil Holby’s new Digby Stent operation – which is poignantly named after the team’s late colleague, Arthur. However, Jac’s glory for having created this unique procedure is cruelly snatched away from her when a journalist announces that a doctor in Berlin has already launched an exact replica! Furious Jac realises straight away that her idea has been stolen, and suspects one of her colleagues is responsible. Zosia is Jac’s prime suspect, but is someone else to blame? Also this week… Raf helps Fletch woo Naomi – but which of the two fellas does her heart really belong to?…

There’s terror for Irene this week, as a strange man arrives on her doorstep claiming to be Chris’ uncle – and then kidnaps her! When mysterious Mick first arrives, Irene doesn’t question his story about being related to her housemate, although she finds it odd that Chris hasn’t mentioned him. Mick’s behaviour soon begins to make Irene feel uneasy – and it becomes clear that he knows an awful lot about her and her family. When frightened Irene tries to escape, Mick grabs her, and tells her that she’s never leaving him again! Could this violent man be her long-lost child? Also this week… Billie receives life-changing news, and Ash is held hostage!…

DR KARL KENNEDY Neighbours Passion with his secretary Sarah upset wife Susan – and in the midst of a midlife crisis, he shacked up with floozy Izzy Hoyland. She went on to secretly have his child. DR MATT RAMSDEN Coronation Street The upstanding GP fell off the moral wagon and straight on to his neighbour Maxine Peacock – who was left pregnant and not knowing if the baby was Matt’s or her husband Ashley’s… DR AL JENKINS EastEnders Al found himself pursued by Chelsea Fox and Roxy – and was left red-faced when Roxy arrived at the surgery in a sexy nurse’s outfit, only for Chelsea to walk in!…

“I LOVE AWARDS DOS – EVERYONE ALWAYS LOOKS SO INSANE!” Anyone who’s suffered the crushing devastation of teenage love will sympathise with young Peri Lomax this week, as she discovers that her ex-boyfriend Tom – whom she’s desperate to win back – is now dating her best mate Jade. We’re not sure that Peri’s actions can be condoned when she vandalises Jade’s locker – her victim is battling cancer, after all! But as we sit down for a chat with star Ruby O’Donnell, who plays the teenage mum, she tells us that Peri believes her bad behaviour is perfectly justified… “Peri is angry and hurt – she feels so betrayed by Jade,” shares the actress. “Jade is meant to be one of her best friends, and obviously you don’t do…

The cobbles cast recently assembled to bid a fond farewell to much-loved Ryan Thomas (Jason), who is bowing out after 16 years in Weatherfield. Ryan headed to Rosso Restaurant in Manchester for a star-studded send-off that included his screen mum Sue Cleaver (Eileen), Jane Danson (Leanne), Samia Ghadie (Maria), Simon Gregson (Steve) and Simon’s wife Emma. Alison King (Carla Connor) made a special return for the occasion, as did John Bowe (Emmerdale’s Lawrence and Corrie’s Duggie Ferguson). And that’s not all - Ryan’s good mate Chris Fountain (Tommy Duckworth) and his on-screen father Terence Maynard (Tony) also showed up. “Can’t begin to tell you how much love there was in the room for Ryan,” tweeted Sally Ann Matthews (Jenny), while Jennie McAlpine (Fiz) added, “He will be so missed”. We’ll…

Who would win in a classic Coronation Street catfight – Jenny or Tracy Barlow? …asks Peter from London I think Jenny would win a psychological war, but Tracy might triumph in a physical one. Apart from anything, Kate Ford, who plays Tracy, is much taller than me! The rivalry between Jenny and Tracy is funny because I was close to Holly Chamarette, who played Tracy number two, and Dawn Acton, who was Tracy number three. We were the only young ones in the cast until Simon Gregson [Steve McDonald] and Nick Cochrane [who played his brother Andy] came along. Are you still in touch with Mark Eden [who played Jenny’s father, Alan Bradley]? …asks Paul, via email Yes! We’ve always kept in touch for…

1 SATURDAY DVD SUITS - SEASON FIVE Boundaries are crossed and alliances tested in season five of Suits, as college dropout turned legal whizz-kid Mike Ross (Patrick J Adams) and New York City’s most formidable and ruthless lawyer Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) team up to take on their fiercest rivals. WIN! For the chance to win a copy, tell us which character is a lawyer in Neighbours: A) Aaron, B) Karl, or C) Toadie. Text ISPRIZE1, a space, then A, B, or C and your name & address to 87080 (50p). Or see below for postal entries. 2 SUNDAY DVD THE X-FILES: EVENT SERIES After almost 14 years since Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) last graced our TV screens, the FBI agents are back solving paranormal…

FATHER’S DAY? Am I right in thinking that the actor who plays Andy’s dad in EastEnders is the same actor who originally played Danielle’s dad years ago? John, Dover Spot on, John! Star Aneirin Hughes played Andy Jones Senior – Danielle’s adoptive dad – back in 2009, and has been brought back to play the role once again. JUST AD TO ASK… The guy in the Betway Vegas ads – which are shown during Big Brother – looks so familiar. Where have I seen him before? Kerry, Basildon The actor in question is Nejdet Salih, who’s best known for playing Ali Osman in EastEnders . Fans will remember that Ali was the original owner of the café back in 1985 along with his wife, Sue. He left…