Inside Soap UK 38 - 2017

“There will be more changes to come!” It’s looking as if there are big changes afoot down EastEnders way – with the news that Abi and Lauren will be departing the soap later this year, and a big name will arrive as a new villain to ruffle some feathers this Christmas (see p10). And I imagine there will be more changes to come, as a new behind-the-scenes regime makes its mark on the programme. But in my experience, a bit of a shake-up never did anybody any harm. We tend to do it every now and then on the pages of Inside Soap to keep things fresh for you, and the soaps need to do the same. What it normally means is a whole lot of drama as some old…

Fragile Bethany is on edge this week, as she prepares to relive in court her sickening ordeal at the hands of Nathan’s vile sex ring. So, imagine her horror when Nathan’s accomplice Mel turns up on her doorstep, seemingly on Bethany’s side and asking for her help… “Mel has been homeless for a while, so when she sees Bethany, she’s desperate to speak to her,” explains Sonia Ibrahim, aka Mel. “Bethany knows that Mel was in on Nathan’s plan to exploit her, and wants to call the police. However, Mel manages to persuade Bethany to take her back to the Platts’ to hear her side of the story.” In the lead-up to her encounter, Bethany is slowly piecing together her shattered life. Audrey offers her great-granddaughter a beauty apprenticeship at…

The scene is set for a huge battle as Nathan’s trial approaches. Not only have Sonia and Lucy Fallon (Bethany) been spotted filming upcoming dramatic scenes where Mel kidnaps and viciously attacks Bethany, but producer Kate Oates has revealed that Mel is not all she seems… “Nathan has a little friend in Mel, who has had her brain well and truly washed by him, and she is the one on the outside and very keen for Bethany to not get to court,” she reveals. “So the question is: will Nathan ever face justice?” So, while Nathan and Mel plot, what new terror lies ahead for Bethany as she tries to put her worst nightmare behind her?…

Martin returns to Walford a free man this week. But the hell of prison has nothing on the war breaking out at the Fowlers’, as Stacey goes berserk and turns on their friends and family! It all kicks off while Stacey struggles to accept the news that her son, Arthur, may have Brugada syndrome – the same condition that caused his dad Kush to suffer a heart attack recently. The trauma, coupled with Martin being in jail, has put a massive strain on pregnant Stacey as she tries to looks after their children singlehandedly. And when the stress becomes too much, the fragile mum snaps… “This has been a lot for Stacey to handle on her own,” explains our Square source. “She’s quite advanced in her pregnancy and attempting to…

As the Fowlers navigate their first big crisis as a married couple, their real-life alter egos Lacey Turner and James Bye could teach them a thing or two about wedded bliss! James is married to wife Victoria, with whom he has two kids, while his screen missus has just got hitched to fiancé Matt Kaye in Ibiza – with a host of cast mates in attendance. “Everyone says your wedding day is the best day of your life, and it really was,” beams Lacey. “You feel so much love on the day. It was perfect!”…

“There is a button with Emma – and if pushed, she snaps!” Gabby’s relaxing summer in Australia has done little to curb her appetite for mischief – as she takes it upon herself this week to teach Emma a lesson for all the hurt she’s caused her family! The pair cross swords after Gabby finds out about Emma’s cruel manipulation of her young brother Arthur, and the destruction of their father Ashley’s home videos. The teenager is so mad that she decides to punish Emma by sending her messages from her dead fiancé James – which the warped Barton mum falls for hook, line and sinker… “Initially, Emma is blown away when she finds a prayer card from James at his graveside,” reveals actress Gillian Kearney, who plays her. “Deep…