Table of contents for 2 - 2018 in Inside Soap UK

The day that the Branning family has been dreading arrives this week, as Abi’s doctors prepare to switch off her life-support machine. For her loved ones, the moment has been inevitable since they learned that Abi was brainstem dead, and that she’s only being kept alive by a ventilator. However, as Abi’s devastated father Max refuses to accept that nothing more can be done for her, he goes to dire lengths to stop medics from pulling the plug… “Max is clinging on to hope that Abi might still recover,” sighs our Walford insider. “Her consultants have conducted numerous tests and come to the same conclusion every time, yet Max has convinced himself that she is still showing signs of life. He’s not prepared to let Abi go without a fight.”…

Innocent Anna fights for her freedom this week, as she faces trial over the attempted murder of Seb. Phelan’s plan to frame his nemesis has worked a treat so far, with him persuading Seb that Anna was to blame for his fall from a ladder. But after Seb heard the details of Luke’s violent death, he shared his doubts about Anna’s guilt and Luke’s demise with Eileen. Upon seeing Anna in prison and hearing her side of things, nervous Eileen was still not sure who or what to believe – so this week agrees to meet again for another chat… “Eileen has always been content believing that Anna has a bitter vendetta against Phelan,” reveals our Corrie snitch. “But after hearing Seb’s concerns, Eileen thinks Anna’s story is starting to…

Tiffany nearly becomes roadkill this week, after she runs into the path of an oncoming car! The drama unfolds as Whitney heads off to Milton Keynes to confront Bianca about why Tiff has really come to Walford. But when the troublesome teen puts her life in danger to prevent her sister from discovering the truth, what on earth could she be hiding? “The truth of the matter is that Tiffany is desperate to avoid being sent back home, and that troubles Whitney deeply,” shares our Square insider. “Her sister has made astonishing claims since she pitched up on her doorstep recently, and Whitney’s first priority is to make sure that she’s okay. That said, Tiff’s not making it very easy for her!” The girls were reunited after Bianca’s other daughter…

Luke takes drastic action to delay his wedding this week – with Mandy mortified to discover her wedding dress in tatters! The pressure is on now that Mandy has decided to bring forward their big day, and Luke has even less time to obtain a divorce from ex Scarlett. He hasn’t heard from her in years – but there is a promising development when Luke and Darren meet a woman who claims to have information on Scarlett’s whereabouts. Desperate to buy himself time, Luke ruins Mandy’s bridal gown – only for his bride-to-be to catch him in the act! How will he explain himself?…

Dot is perturbed by the standard of Karen’s customer service this week, as she returns to the Square to find a new face in her beloved launderette. Having run the legendary local business for yonks, Dot retains an understandable attachment to the place, and isn’t at all sure what to make of Karen’s methods when it comes to dealing with the public. However, as the pensioner steps in to help overwhelmed Karen, might the newbie prove she’s not as washed up as Dot presumes?…

Marlon confronts his feelings for Jessie this week, by inadvertently asking her on a date to a wrestling theme night! It’s far from the romantic setting he might have wished for, as Bob emerges ready for action in his Lycra – yet while Jessie is taken aback by the sobering sight, fellow attendee Paddy is also the focus of some female attention. Having dropped off Jessie, Rhona decides to stay when she spots Paddy – so does she still have feelings for him?…

As Kat was battling the Redwater tide, her husband Alfie was also knocking on death’s door while undergoing a life-saving brain operation. However, it would seem that fate was on his side as well – potentially paving the way for Alfie’s eventual return to Walford… “The aim is to establish the Slater family once again as a force of strong women to be reckoned with,” whispers our Square insider. “So if Alfie is to come back, it will be further down the line. But it’s always on the cards – who could resist a bit more Kat and Alfie?”…

Aaron and Robert might not be an item just now, but that’s all set to change this year – with Emmerdale producer Iain MacLeod promising that the couple’s second stab at a wedding is scheduled for this summer. Of course, there are plenty of problems that the pair will need to work through before they get to say “I do” – but it won’t just be their own troubles they will be forced to deal with… “Robert and Aaron are no strangers to drama – but they no longer have the luxury of only looking out for themselves,” says our Dales insider. “Aaron is already determined to take care of his wayward sister Liv, and Robert is desperate to be a decent dad to his baby…

He might be a Tate, but Joe is a brave man to cross the mighty Dingles. And as his scorned ex-lover Debbie plots her payback, it won’t just be her beloved family by her side as she goes into battle… “Joe has broken Debbie’s heart – but that won’t keep her down for long,” claims our Emmerdale informant. “The Dingles are always up for a fight, and with their cherished home having already being brought to rubble thanks to Joe and his golf course plans, they are ready for anything!” However, as the feisty family prepare to throw their very worst at Joe, Debbie knows that they’ll need all the help that they can get if they’re to topple their ruthless rival – and she’s set to rely on a…

It’s all change in the ED as 2018 kicks off, with a new clinical lead taking the helm – and fans will be stunned by the identity of the department’s new boss! With Connie recovering from her cancer surgery, it’s fallen to Dylan to lead the team. But as his drinking spirals out of control, it becomes clear that he’s in no fit state to run a busy emergency ward – so he hands in his resignation to Hanssen. And with Dylan and Connie both out of the picture, the race is on to find someone new… “Hanssen’s perfect candidate for the role would be Jac Naylor from Darwin ward,” reveals our Casualty informant. “However, given the long-standing rivalry between her and Connie, Ms Beauchamp is extremely reluctant to hand…

SHE’S THE ONE! SHAYNE AND SOPHIE MAKE IT OFFICIAL… If you like it then you should put a ring on it – and that’s exactly what Corrie heartthrob Shayne Ward (Aidan) did over Christmas, as he got down on one knee to propose to fellow soapie Sophie Austin (who played Lindsey Roscoe in Hollyoaks). The loved-up pair – who welcomed daughter Willow May at the end of 2016 – shared their joy via social media on Boxing Day, with Shayne captioning the pic: “#MrsWardtobe”. And just look at the beautiful oval-shaped sparkler sported by Sophie – wow! GREAT EXPECTATIONS Those soap stars are a fertile lot – and there’s baby news from a trio of our faves from up north. Adam Thomas, who recently left the role of Adam Barton in…

Fowler fight! EASTENDERS STACEY IS BACK – CAN SHE FIX HER FAMILY? Martin’s heart broke into a million pieces on Christmas Day, when he discovered that his adored wife Stacey had slept with Max. The fallout saw Stace take her children and flee, leaving Martin floundering in her wake – but next week, she returns. Is the beloved couple’s marriage wrecked beyond repair? Or is there a way forward? CORRIE Drug of no choice! Billy struggles to cope with his pain next week, much to Adam’s joy! Because as Billy relies ever more on painkillers, he’s unaware that Adam is exacerbating his drug habit… EMMERDALE Dead or alive? It’s a huge week for the White clan, following their recent horrific car smash. But has everyone survived the ordeal – or…

Noah and Samson find themselves in deadly danger this week – as bulldozers begin work on demolishing Wishing Well with the pair still inside! While the Dingles are being wined, dined and distracted by ruthless nemesis Joe, the clan’s homestead is being reduced to rubble – with all concerned oblivious to the fact that Noah and Samson have secretly snuck back into the cottage… “The kids could be killed!” reveals Jane Cox, who plays Lisa. “Zak and Lisa have no idea that anything is going on until they get back from the party at Home Farm. They are devastated when they see what’s happened.” From the moment they found out their family seat was in line to be demolished to make way for a road to a new golf course,…

Moira’s guilt over Emma’s death finally gets the better of her this week, as she admits to stunned Pete and Ross that she killed their mother! Moira’s secret is tearing her apart, and she’s on the verge of breaking down now that Adam has vanished without a trace. With her son having taken the rap for her crime and then escaped from custody, Moira is sick with worry at not knowing where he is. However, after the police inform her that they’ve found a body they suspect could be Adam’s, Moira is left with the grisly task of identifying the corpse. And her guilt is off the scale when Ross is the one who volunteers to help her through the process… “It’s really traumatic,” says actress Natalie J Robb, who…

Phelan’s cold-blooded slaying of innocent Luke comes back to haunt him this week, as the police take him in and question him over the death! The drama comes after terrified Seb reveals to Gary that Phelan killed the young mechanic, prompting Gary to call the police straight away to report Phelan for murder. Having just been convinced that her husband is innocent of the many bad deeds Anna claims he carried out, Eileen is given cause to be anxious once more as the cops arrive at the house and insist on carting her husband off down the station for questioning. As expected, Phelan talks his way out of trouble yet again, insisting he was alone at No 11 when Luke’s shooting took place. But do the cops really believe him?…

Adam finally agrees to let his scheming ex Darcy see her son Toby this week – unaware that she’s planning to snatch the little lad and flee the country for Florida! Darcy has had no contact with her boy since the truth about Glenn being his biological father came out, and Adam chucked her out of the flat. Toby decided to stay living with Adam instead – but now Darcy is plotting to get her son back… “While Darcy is a manipulator and a liar, her love for Toby is real,” reckons Aisling Jarrett-Gavin, who plays her. “So for him to have rejected her is really hard for her to deal with. She’s devastated – everything she does is for her son, even though from an outsider’s point of view…

Erinsborough police officer Mishti is put in a tricky predicament this week – when she’s forced to arrest her brother-in-law Shane! Mishti only recently rejoined the police force after a period of leave, and is keen to impress her new colleagues. So imagine her horror at finding drunken Shane sounding off at the Cannings in Ramsay Street… “Shane has had way too much to drink – he’s kicking bins, yelling and threatening Gary,” explains Scarlet Vas, who plays Mishti. “Shane is clearly in the wrong on this occasion, and if Mishti didn’t do her job properly, it would be very obvious to her superiors. “Dipi is left fuming – she feels that Mishti should have gone easy on Shane,” continues the actress. “But Mishti’s job is to protect the public,…

Bob and Brenda start discussing wedding plans this week – but Bob is concerned that his bride-to-be is not fully on board with their reunion. The couple looked like they were on the verge of a permanent split when Bob admitted to Brenda that he’d slept with someone else, but after he pulled off an elaborate scheme to win her back, Brenda agreed to marry him! However, while Bob is delighted when Lydia persuades Brenda to start planning the big day, he senses his fiancée’s unease and wonders if her heart is still in the relationship. Once Brenda assures him that she wants to try to make things work, relieved Bob presents her with a resized eternity ring. But is Brenda being honest about how she really feels? And how…

Naughty Ruby appears to have struck again this week, as Tyrone worries that his troublesome young daughter is still behaving badly. After Sean is tasked with running up new lingerie samples for Underworld, he’s horrified when he hands over his creations to Aidan – and realises that they’ve been damaged. Hope then claims Ruby was responsible, forcing Tyrone to admit that it’s not her first offence. Although Ruby denies doing anything wrong, is the youngster out of control?…

FAREWELL, ADAM! I was very sad to see Emmerdale’s Adam Barton leave the show, and it was such a shame him and Moira didn’t get a proper goodbye. But I’m pleased that he won’t be wasting away in prison for the foreseeable, and wish I could see what he’ll be getting up to abroad. Sheila, Cricklewood GOLDEN COUPLE I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I warmed to newcomers Arshad and Mariam in EastEnders. It was great to see both of them interacting with the locals straight away, and Mariam was an absolute star the way she tended to Mick. I think this couple make a great addition to the Square. Freddie, Reading How long will Masood have to keep up the teetotal act around his relatives, though? HOLBY CITY…

After she spent the best part of a year suffering at the hands of sleazy sexual predator Nathan, the last thing we expected Bethany Platt to do next was get a job at a lap-dancing club! So imagine Craig’s surprise this week when he’s called to a disturbance at the premises, and is faced with the club’s newest recruit, Maddison – who turns out to be none other than his own girlfriend! The news come as a massive shock to Craig – and when we sit down for a chat with Lucy Fallon, who plays Bethany, she admits that she was just as surprised when she found out what was in store for her alter ego… “I wanted to understand how Bethany reached the decision to work in a lap-dancing…

We’d hedged our bets on Masood reigniting his on-off romance with Carmel, after she was so brutally dumped by Max. But it sounds as though the cheeky fella will develop the hots for another Walford woman… “He’s certainly going to get very flirty with Kathy Beale!” reveals Nitin. “Gillian [Taylforth] and I worked together years ago on a six-part Sally Wainwright series called Jane Hall. We were bus drivers who were getting it on at the depot! “I suppose there may be potential for some romance [for Masood], which wouldn’t be a bad thing,” adds the star. “Over the years, Masood has shown that he is actually a player with the ladies!”…

Sunetra has been working nonstop this year – and she tells us that creating new characters has been a joy… “Leaving Casualty was a gamble, because I didn’t want to go and play Zoe again in a different series,” she explains. “But people have taken brave steps in casting me – I got to be in Broadchurch as a rape counsellor, which was fab. “My role in Ackley Bridge [as Kaneez Paracha] was a big surprise,” continues Sunetra. “I was proud to create the type of character we haven’t seen before – a Pakistani mum with a sense of humour who loves her daughters dearly. I have other gritty dramas coming up, too – I get to put on wigs and pretend to be a whole lot of different people!”…

Tracy has been on quite the journey since moving to Emmerdale, with her gritty former life forgotten in favour of a less controversial new existence with husband David – but has her bad girl past really been laid to rest? When we first met her, Tracy was a sex-line worker used to scamming her way through life. Since then she’s made a fresh start in the village, reconnecting with her estranged dad Frank and learning that close friend Vanessa is her half-sister. She’s also found love with David – but Tracy’s cosy new set-up could end up on the line when her past comes back to haunt her. As this development knocks her for six, will Tracy go off the rails?…

Moira went to hell and back in 2017, and the new year has so far shown little sign of bringing her any happiness – so what will the beleaguered mum do next? With no idea whether her son Adam is alive or dead, and crippled with guilt about the fact that he’s taken the flak for Emma’s death when she was the one who pushed her, Moira has been left in despair. Added to that, she now has the vengeful Barton brothers on her case, and life seems bleaker than ever. In the face of this misery, Moira will make a devastating decision – but what will it mean for her future in the village?…

Dumbstruck Eva gets a life-changing surprise this week, when she discovers that she’s fallen pregnant! After the run-down barmaid has a casual chat with Shona about her recent illness, Shona takes it upon herself to Google Eva’s symptoms – and all signs point to Eva being up the duff. And having faked a pregnancy in 2017, Eva can’t believe it as she finds out she really will be giving birth later this year… “Twelve months ago she’d have given anything to settle down and have babies, but after all that’s gone on, this is the worst thing that could have happened!” gasps Catherine Tyldesley, who plays poor Eva. “She just thinks she’s tired and coming down with something, so it’s a massive shock.” After a positive pregnancy test, Eva is…

Crikey! Just when we thought wicked Phelan couldn’t get any worse, he went and shot poor Luke before leaving him to perish in an explosion! For Phelan, it’s the beginning of yet another chapter in his chilling story – but for Luke it’s the end of the road. Star Dean Fagan joins Inside Soap to reflect on his alter ego’s fiery final moments… Hi, Dean! All we can say is, what a way to go… I know! I watched the stunt on set, and I didn’t realise that Luke was going to burn to death. I thought he would die from the gunshot wound, so seeing the car explode knowing that Luke was in there was strange. To physically stand there and watch four years of my life go up…

There’s all-out war in the Rovers this week – as Michelle and Carla clash violently with the Battersby sisters! Michelle is enraged after she overhears Toyah confessing to being two-faced with Carla, and decides to call her out in public. It’s an awkward moment for the landlady, but she bites back at Michelle – who proceeds to throw a drink in her face! That’s when Leanne rushes to Toyah’s aid and Carla backs up Michelle… “The claws are out – it’s catfight time!” chuckles our Corrie mole. “There is no love lost between these women, and it looks like any hope of a truce is gone. Both the Connors and the Battersbys have a fearsome reputation and don’t mind fighting dirty. It’s hard to decide which clan is scarier!” Toyah’s…

CASUALTY BBC1 SATURDAY Jacob returns from his impromptu holiday this week, determined to steer clear of Elle. Having discovered that he’s the biological father of her son Blake, Jacob made it clear to Elle that he has no intention of taking on any parental responsibilities. However, when Blake is brought into the ED after getting into yet more trouble at school, Jacob feels compelled to step in and offer the teenager some sage words of advice. But will Jacob spill the beans by admitting to Blake that he’s actually his dad?…

Henry’s birthday is looming this week, and his smitten girlfriend Gemma turns to Liz for help with how to give her fella a special day. Gemma’s relationship was almost wrecked by Henry’s reluctance to attend Chesney and Sinead’s wedding and his subsequent rude remarks, but with their romance back on track, Gemma is keen to give her man a day he’ll never forget. Liz suggests throwing a surprise party at the Rovers to celebrate Henry’s family history – but what will Mr Snobby make of the bash?…

The highlight of the Hollyoaks Christmas episode was without a doubt the touching scenes between Courtney and her baby girl, Iona. The new mum was clearly overwhelmed with emotion as she spoke to her daughter for the first time – and though actress Amy Conachan has had a few weeks to get used to the idea of motherhood, she confesses that she’s still taking it in… “Whenever I have a line mentioning I’m a mum, it feels so weird coming out of my mouth,” she giggles. “I love it, though. I’m starting to do heavier scenes with more emotion, which has been challenging, but I’ve really enjoyed it. I want to tell this story, and the little baby I’m filming with is so cute – I could just eat her!”…

Arguably one of EastEnders’ most iconic families, the Slaters will be back at the heart of Walford drama this spring – as Kat, Big Mo and Stacey’s mum Jean return to their old stomping ground! News of Kat’s return is particularly exciting, given that she was last seen drowning in the Irish sea… “I’m delighted to confirm that Kat took swimming lessons as a child, and survived the tragic storm of [EastEnders spin-off] Redwater,” grins the Square’s executive consultant, John Yorke. “She’ll be back arm-in-arm with Big Mo and Jean – plus another yet-to-be-revealed Slater – reuniting to sort Stacey out once and for all.” With Stacey’s marriage to Martin in tatters following her festive fumble with Max, she’s going to need her family’s support when…

The residents of Walford will gather to pay their respects to Abi in the coming weeks, with EastEnders cast members recently spotted filming her funeral. Max’s daughter has been declared brainstem dead following her fall from the Queen Vic roof, and he has struggled to accept that nothing more can be done for her (see p8 for the full story). However, these sneaky snaps appear to show a very healthy-looking Abi attending her own memorial! So, by some miracle, is there a twist still to come? Or is ghostly Abi back to haunt her dastardly dad? “Rumour has it that these scenes were filmed before the audience found out that Abi stood zero chance of making a recovery,” reports our Square snitch. “Lorna Fitzgerald [aka Abi]…

Last week it seemed as if Gavin had stumbled on the perfect scheme to ensure that Valco’s plans for 24-hour opening would fail – by hiring Lou, easily the most shambolic of all the night manager candidates. When Lou turns up for training at the supermarket with Katie this week, she’s every bit as disastrous as expected – but might Gavin’s plan end up backfiring on him? We caught up with Jason Watkins (Gavin) and Sally Phillips (Lou) to see if Valco will ever be the same again… Why was Gavin so keen to hire Lou in the first place? Jason Valco 24 is sort of forced upon Gavin, and he’s not sure about it because he’s a bit of a retail purist. He’s got his ways – “What’s wrong…

The line between genuine news and satire seems to be getting blurrier every day, but at least we can take some comfort from the return of BBC2’s The Mash Report – a show that we know for sure is looking at current events with one eyebrow definitely arched. Inside TV chatted to host Nish Kumar – and found out that the stakes were even higher than we thought… “When I say we’re hoping to make it through the next six episodes, I don’t mean us as a television show, I mean us as a race and a planet!” Nish tells us. With so much going on in the world just now that could provoke sleepless nights, finding the comedy in current events has rarely felt more…

CINEMA THE COMMUTER As he travels home from work on his usual commute, Michael’s day takes a turn for the worse when a stranger forces him to uncover the identity of a mystery passenger. Caught up in a much bigger conspiracy than he initially realises, Michael must learn to co-operate to save himself, his family and his fellow passengers. Stars Liam Neeson. DVD AMERICAN ASSASSIN After his girlfriend is killed by terrorists, Mitch Rapp (Dylan O’ Brien) is drawn into the world of counterterrorism. Mentored by ex-US navy SEAL Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton), he must stop an operation intent on starting the next world war. For the chance to win a copy, tell us which Casualty star plays Dylan Keogh: A) William Beck or B) Jamie Davis. Text ISPRIZE1, a…