Table of contents for 31 - 2018 in Inside Soap UK

“It’s a special kind of joy to see Dr Legg” When I heard the news that Dr Legg was returning to EastEnders for an ‘exciting and emotional’ storyline with Walford favourite Dot, I felt a special kind of joy reserved only for certain occasions. As a child of the EastEnders era, having watched the show since the very first episode, I feel there’s something special about the characters from those early days, who appeared in my living room two, three or four times a week. Whenever I see them back on the screen, it’s like catching up with an old friend or relative who you haven’t seen for many years. It’s also great to see actor Leonard Fenton, who plays Dr Legg, looking so fit and well at the grand…

Liz in a tiz! Corrie star Beverley Callard has said that huge trouble is on the way for Liz, as a result of her alter ego’s own doing! “Just reading some amazing scripts,” she teased on Twitter. “Liz always makes terrible life decisions – and they get worse!” Babs is back! Former EastEnders star Dame Barbara Windsor (Peggy Mitchell) will return to the BBC for a Radio 2 documentary about famous comedy duos. It’s Babs’ first gig since her Alzheimer’s diagnosis was made public earlier this year. Casualty explodes! Casualty will kick off with a bang when the medical drama returns for a new series on Saturday 11 August with an explosive stunt. “The paramedic crew will face their darkest day…” according to the show’s official Twitter account. Yikes!…

Buster’s secret abuse of Ollie is on the verge of being discovered this week, as Scott realises that something is not quite right with the teenager. Scott grows concerned when Ollie misses football training yet again, so he plans to speak to Luke and Mandy about the lad’s odd behaviour. Is Buster’s abuse set to be uncovered? “Ollie is very vulnerable – this is perfect for Buster” “The stakes are high for Buster at the moment, but he feels he has a grip on everything,” reckons Nathan Sussex, who plays the manipulative football coach. “There’s a danger that Ollie could open up about what’s been going on, but Buster is very clever. He always uses some device to play with Ollie’s head, and make Ollie feel that he needs him…

LONG LIVE AUD AND CLAUD! Forget the youngsters – the biggest talking point this week has been the antics of Claud and Aud in Corrie! You’re delighted star Rula Lenska has brought some glamour back to the cobbles… I’ve loved the return of Rula Lenska in Coronation Street as the formidable Claudia Colby – her rivalry with Audrey is brilliant. But it’s not only the battle of the salons, it’s the battle of the hairdos – both actresses have amazing barnets! I look forward to more hair-raising antics. Mrs Bullock I loved the look on Audrey’s face when she went to say sorry to Maria, only to find that her old rival Claudia had already offered Maria one of her salons to run. It serves Audrey right for not realising…

“I look pretty disgusting in that shed!” chuckles the star. “By the time we see Rebecca, she’s been in there a very long time, so the team had to put lots of grease in my hair, and rub mud everywhere!” Meanwhile, with Lachlan keeping Rebecca locked away for a good while before we discover her whereabouts, Emily admits there wasn’t time for her to method act her character’s predicament. “I was shooting scenes for episodes before Rebecca was kidnapped on a Wednesday, then shooting the shack stuff on the Friday,” she reveals. “I woke up that morning and thought, ‘I can’t eat! Rebecca would be very thin by now!’ But there was nothing I could do at that point.”…

1 Letitia Jane Dean was born on 14 November 1967 to her father Leslie and mother Ellie in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. She is the youngest of three siblings – her older brothers are Stephen and Martin – and was keen to perform from a very young age. Letitia and Stephen both attended a local dance school, and even formed a dance act together. Aged 10, Letitia won a place at the famous Sylvia Young Theatre School, and roles in the West End in musicals such as Annie followed – as well as TV shows, including Grange Hill and Brookside. 2 Letitia was one of EastEnders’ original cast members, making her debut as 15-year-old Sharon Watts – the adopted daughter of landlords Den and Angie Watts –in…

While behind the bar of the Rovers, Henry might have overheard a few cobbles secrets! But will star George be willing to divulge any of his own? “Do you think Henry and Gemma are a good match?” They make an interesting couple! The fact that they’re an odd pairing makes it a lot of fun. Gemma’s really good for Henry because she speaks her mind and doesn’t put up with any nonsense. Henry’s lived in a world where he’s been able to do or say what he likes, so Gemma is a bit of a reality check for him. “What’s it like to be in charge of the Rovers, and what kind of landlord would you make in real life?” It’s slightly mind-blowing! The other day I was stood behind…

Look who’s hooked another prize catch – it’s doting daddy Jack P Shepherd! We couldn’t resist sharing another picture of the loving father, this time away from the water, as he enjoyed the recent heatwave with his kids. Jack shared the photo on social media of him having fun in the sun with daughter Nyla, aged nine, and five-year-old son Reuben, who he shares with ex-fiancée Lauren Shippey – and judging by the cheeky grins on their faces, his little’uns are chips off the old block!…

There are many things we look forward to about the summer: laying in the sunshine, hitting the beach and, of course, the return of Animal Park . The daily series following life with the animals and keepers at Longleat Safari Park is back this week, and presenter Jean Johansson is excited for fans to see it. “This series is just bigger and better,” she enthuses. “I know we always say that, but this one really is because we’ve just had so much drama! We have so many births and new animals that it’s just turned into a really lovely story across the summer.” There will be a bittersweet side to this year’s series, however, as the first week’s episodes will address the death of Nico the silverback…

Our time eavesdropping in the court of King Louis XIV has been decadent and delicious, but we knew it couldn’t last forever – and this week’s episode of Versailles is the very final one. We caught up with Alexander Vlahos (Philippe) and Jenny Platt (Jeanne) to find out what’s in store for the finale… How do you feel about this being the last series? Alex As an actor, you always want work! You want the series to run and run and run. But we were told quite early on that series three was going to be the last, and the writers incorporated that knowledge into the last few episodes of the series to bookend it. All of the actors were very satisfied with the way it…

BULLSEYE! Emmerdale took a big gamble by rewriting Charity’s history for the sake of a headline-grabbing new plot, but boy has it paid off. Her scenes with long-lost son Ryan – played so charmingly by James Moore – are captivating. Our hearts melt with every scene they share. It’s by far the most profound relationship in soap right now, and we can’t wait to see where it goes next. Jeff Hordley should be on danger money for the unscripted whacks he takes from baby Isaac. Put his stunt double on standby! Crikey, we feel old. David is wasted on Corrie. He always gives such a mesmerising performance. Get him to Crufts! April’s rules and regulations for dating her dad was our fave moment in soap this year. Inspired!…

No, we’re not pulling your Legg – Walford’s original and much-loved GP is coming home to Albert Square! EastEnders bosses have announced that Leonard Fenton is reprising the role of the infamous Dr Harold Legg, who is set to reconnect with his old friend, Dot… “It’s a huge honour to have Leonard back in the show,” explains the soap’s executive consultant, John Yorke. “He and June [Brown, who plays Dot] will be working together again for an exciting and emotional story.” The Square has seen some quacks in its time (yes, ‘Mad’ May Wright, we’re looking at you) – but none more trustworthy than Dr Legg, who served as Walford’s GP from when the soap began in 1985, through to 1997. Since then, Harold has returned for the funerals of…

“I would love for Mavis Riley to come back to Corrie and get with Norris – they would make a good couple. (Sorry Mary!)” …declares reader Fiona from Bury “ Keanu has real chemistry with Kat in EastEnders – and he’s also good with Sharon. I would love to see a toy-boy love triangle with these three! Sharon and Kat have never had a decent plot together.” …says reader Bea “My ultimate soap dream come true would be a wedding for Charity and Vanessa in Emmerdale . A big, happy, romantic wedding with a huge turn-out. They are my fave soap couple ever!” …hopes reader Sara “Now that Dirk is dead in Hollyoaks (RIP), his…

“Hayley isn’t ready to take the wrath of Kat!” There’s a shock in store for Hayley this week, as Kat starts asking her probing questions about Alfie! The guilty woman is caught off-guard after Kat asks Hayley when she last spoke to her estranged husband, and what it was they said to each other. Worried that Kat has cottoned on to the shameful truth – that she slept with Alfie and is now pregnant with his baby – Hayley desperately tries to bluff her way through Kat’s interrogation. But when Jean later reveals that Kat is upset, Hayley fears the worst, and so tells Jean that she’s fleeing Walford! “Hayley knows she’ll have to face up to the truth at some point, but she’s not ready yet to take the…

Maggie is given a boost this week, after her mum Diana arranges for her to join a radical new cancer trial in the US! But while Maggie reckons this could be her one shot at survival, hubby Ben believes it will do more harm than good… “Ben is very apprehensive,” confirms star Rohan Nichol, who plays him. “Maggie is in no fit state to go anywhere. Even Dr Tori thinks she should stay and hope for a miracle.” Viewers will have to wait and see whether Maggie will go against the doctors’ – and her husband’s – advice and travel to the US regardless. But Rohan tells us that Ben would struggle to cope if anything happened to his beloved. “She is the love of his life, so I try…

FAIR CITY Carol is a confused mess this week, as she and Yates navigate various obstacles in their relationship. Also, Decco flips his lid after Kerri-Ann gives him the runaround – and Mondo bears the brunt of his anger. Elsewhere, Eoghan struggles when he’s left home alone… RIVER CITY Frankie has a lot to answer for this week, when she is forced to tell lovers past and present that she has an STI – before Angus discovers that she slept with Alex! Plus, Jules is in the firing life as violent Danny explodes. Meanwhile, Amber resorts to desperate measures. THE ARCHERS Everybody reels this week, following Freddie’s shocking mistake. But can the Pargetters pick up the pieces – or has Freddie’s worst nightmare come true? Across the village, one local…

MISS LIBERTY The bridesmaid dress that Liberty wore for Holly and Damon’s doomed wedding in Hollyoaks was really pretty. Do you know where it’s from please, Sarah? Jenna Liberty’s Pastel Tulle Maxi Dress is from ASOS, and is in the sale right now for £30! I may get one myself for the Inside Soap Awards… NOT PHELAN IT It would seem that Corrie’s Eileen Phelan is now Eileen Grimshaw. Given that it’s legal process to change your name, where was Adam Barlow? Check the end titles, you’ll see! Chris, Cardiff Soaps often change surnames on their end credits, but it doesn’t necessarily mean Eileen has legally changed her name back yet. You can’t blame her for not wanting the same surname as her murderous hubby, though!…

“Jenny’s heart belongs to Johnny – she can see he needs this” Being put in charge of the Rovers Return isn’t any ordinary moment in a Corrie star’s career. This is the place where Street legends are made – where Annie Walker, Bet Lynch, Vera Duckworth and Liz McDonald lived, loved and lost. You become central to the action, the heart of the show and there for every huge moment. Having grown up on the cobbles, actress Sally Ann Matthews – aka Jenny – knows all too well what this means. So when she was told that her character and Johnny Connor would be buying the pub and installing themselves as the new landlords, it was a huge honour… “I was terrified,” she laughs. “I’m completely inept – I was…

When Talia Grant arrived in Hollyoaks as Brooke, the character certainly caused a stir. But that was down to the fact that she was the daughter of the woman who killed Nancy’s sister, and little to do with her being autistic – which Talia couldn’t be happier about. “I’m glad that Hollyoaks is showing the challenges of having autism, but also smashing the stereotypes,” grins the newcomer, as she chats to us about landing the role of the Osbornes’ new foster-child. “Every autistic person is different, but Brooke is smart, manages to make eye contact and loves having friends – like many autistic people. Hollyoaks shows how difficult it can be with the sensory world, and what it’s like to deal with the social awkwardness.” While Talia is the first…

It’s usually the bins or the leftovers from a day’s trade on Bridge Street Market that cause a stink in Walford – but for a couple of Albert Square’s residents, it was Mr Stink himself! Diane Parish (Denise) and Natalie Cassidy (Sonia) let their hair down recently when they attended the launch of comedian David Walliams’ most recent book at the Chickenshed Theatre in London. With all the drama in EastEnders, we reckon that Di and Nat would have no trouble penning a novel of their own!…

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CASUALTY Connie Beauchamp......... Amanda Mealing Gemma Dean...................... Rebecca Ryan Iain Dean...................... Michael Stevenson Lisa ‘Duffy’ Duffin................ Cathy Shipton Charlie Fairhead.............. Derek Thompson Noel Garcia........................... Tony Marshall Elle Gardner.......................... Jaye Griffiths Ethan Hardy.................... George Rainsford David Hide................................ Jason Durr Jan Jennings............................ Di Botcher Dylan Keogh.......................... William Beck Bea Kinsella........................... Michelle Fox Jacob Masters....................... Charles Venn Rash Masum........................... Neet Mohan Eddie McAllister................... Joe Gaminara Robyn Miller................ Amanda Henderson Alicia Munroe................ Chelsea Halfpenny Sam Nicholls........................ Charlotte Salt Ruby Sparks.............................. Maddy Hill Louise Tyler........................... Azuka Oforka CORONATION STREET Dev Alahan....................... Jimmi Harkishin Angie Appleton................. Victoria Ekanoye Adam Barlow...................... Sam Robertson Amy Barlow.......................... Elle Mulvaney Ken Barlow......................... William Roache Peter Barlow....................... Chris Gascoyne Simon Barlow.............................. Alex Bain Tracy Barlow............................... Kate Ford Leanne Battersby................... Jane Danson Toyah Battersby................... Georgia Taylor Emma Brooker............... Alexandra Mardell Chesney Brown.........................…

SHAUN STRIPS OFF! Shaun Williamson – aka Barry from EastEnders – has stripped off for a remake of the famous 1980s Levi’s advert set in a launderette, to promote Dr Beckmann’s laundry products! We can just imagine what Dot would’ve said had he tried that in Walford: “Oh, I say!” TINA’S COUNTRY TOUR Former Family Affairs and Doctors star Tina Hall is bringing her touring show with Johnny Westwood (Crossroads) to the UK. The pair have already taken The Ultimate Country Rock Experience around Europe with their band The Rednecks, and the UK leg of the tour kicks off at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool in December. So if you’re a hardcore fan of country rock music, be sure to book yourself a ticket! LEARN FROM JULIA! Seven years after…

So how come the children are playing in the woods near Rebecca’s shack? It’s because Bob and Laurel and the kids have joined Jimmy and Nicola and their kids, plus Rodders and his girlfriend Misty, on this big camping trip. And Jimmy and Bob have been winding up the children with this story they’ve concocted about the Beast of Ilkley Moor – which would spook anyone at night when they’re out camping! What was it like filming these big scenes with the youngsters? It’s great. Just as the kids get on really well on screen, the actors who play them get on too. They’re all working together and coming on leaps and bounds, so it’s nice they have got their own story! How are Bob and Laurel after Brenda told…

Unhinged Stuart makes his presence felt at the Vic this week, as the terrified Carter clan wonders what he’s going to do next. Mick is horrified to find a cryptic note left in his home, and is shaken when Halfway confirms it’s Stuart’s writing. Mick is furious that his former best pal is waging a campaign of terror against Tina and the family, and prepares to storm over to his place and have it out with him. The rest of the Carters calm him down and try to convince Mick not to tell Tina what’s happening. So to avoid making Tina even more traumatised, Mick suggests they go on a mini-break to Southend – but will that be far enough away as disturbed Stuart quietly seethes? “If Mick can’t batter…

As Sam Dingle takes centre stage in a new Dales storyline, taking the difficult decision to tell son Samson that he helped to end his mother Alice’s life, star James Hooton – who plays him – reveals that he hasn’t always felt so at home during his time working on the soap. “I’ve gone through many years where I’ve not enjoyed the job as much, and now it’s a bit of a renaissance period for me as I’m enjoying Emmerdale more than I ever have done,” explains the actor, who has played Sam for 23 years on and off. “Meeting people like Karen [Blick, who plays Lydia] has changed my outlook to work.” The Dingle clan just really wouldn’t be the same without Sam, and James is quick to reassure…

Keanu’s brother Keegan suffers a terrifying flashback this week, when he comes across the gang in the Square. Spotting them eyeing up a bike brings back memories of the awful day that Shakil was murdered – and as the teens goad Keegan, he runs into the café to lay low. “Keegan still hasn’t really recovered from his terrible ordeal,” explains our Walford snitch. “He decides not to go on a fun day out with Louise and Bex, and to stay behind in the Square instead. He even volunteers to cover Hunter’s shift at Ian’s restaurant when Hunter doesn’t turn up for work. However, there’s already a lot of tension between the pair – so how will Hunter react if he thinks Keegan is muscling in on his job?” When Hunter…

Did you know about this abuse plot from the start, Nathan? It was fed to me in bits. When I found out, I was excited, because it’s great to get my teeth into something so dark – and it’s relevant with all the headlines now. Survivors Manchester has been instrumental with the scripts, and making sure they’re truthful. There were discussions and case studies – but it was tricky for me because a lot of it centred on survivors of this type of abuse, and I felt a bit awkward sitting there playing the perpetrator. How have you approached filming scenes with Aedan Duckworth (Ollie)? I’ve been incredibly lucky with Aedan, because he’s such a mature young man. We have a good working relationship, so we do discuss the scenes…

“Arthur should be christened, Stacey. You can’t just have Lily and Hope at the pearly gates and leave Arthur at the bottom of the steps. Or is it an escalator these days? Or a travelator like at the airports?” We’re hoping for a sort of ski lift ourselves. “I’m so proud of you, watching this happy, confident person that didn’t exist before. It’s been incredible, Matty, and it’s a good change. I see that now.” Emmerdale is the soap that makes you want to go ‘Aw!’ “Come here, baby. I still like you, even if you are half as attractive as I am. That’s what you call true love.” She’s right. Love for Steve McDonald transcends all reason. “You’re an actual lifesaver, literally.” “No – figuratively. Maria is not actually…

Honey worries about her finances this week – leading Billy to offer her the spare room with him and Jay at No 18. But will she take her ex-fiancé up on the offer, or spurn him yet again? Billy is convinced that it’s the perfect solution to everyone’s problems, given that he and Jay still need to find a new permanent housemate now Donna has moved out. However, Honey isn’t sure it’s a good idea – until Rainie insists everyone deserves a second chance. So will Honey cave in?…

Fed-up Jai is forced to face another date with Aiesha this week – after his dad Rishi begs for his help. While he knows uninterested Jai will never get serious about Aiesha, Rishi is still determined to romance her mum Manpreet, so needs him and his son to team up on a double date once again. For Jai, it’s just an excruciating evening, but he has no choice if he wants to keep his dad sweet and help find him some happiness. So will Rishi win over Manpreet, even if Jai and Aiesha aren’t meant to be?…

“It’s easy to act scared when you’re chained to a post with a gag in your mouth…” laughs Emily Head, as she joins us on the Emmerdale set in the wake of Rebecca’s terrifying incarceration (see p4). “It’s the weirdest feeling – and it was very dark. I was tied up and couldn’t even reach my coat in the corner! But everyone makes you feel safe when you’re doing these things.” Unfortunately for Rebecca, her safety is the least of killer nephew Lachlan’s concerns, as he continues keeping her locked up far away from the village. But Rebecca’s misery brought an exciting challenge for Emily, who threw herself into her alter ego’s latest agony… Rebecca’s rarely had an easy life since moving to the village –…

The climax of Eddie and Alicia’s confrontation comes as he goes mad and throws her through a patio door! It’s harrowing to watch on screen, but Chelsea reckons she had a blast acting it out… “It was wicked – it wasn’t scary at all,” she grins. “We have a great stunt coordinator who let me practice the week before. He showed me how to hold myself so that Joe [Gaminara, who plays Eddie] could really fling me through the window. “It was made of sugar glass, but it actually looks and sounds as if I’m going through a pane of real glass,” adds Chelsea. “There was a silence when I landed on the crash mat, and everyone was like, ‘Are you okay?’ But it was fun!”…

Comedian Romesh Ranganathan takes the law into his own hands this week – as people bring their problems to court for him to solve. He may not have any formal legal training, but that doesn’t matter… “When you watch these other judge shows, you think, ‘They have too much expertise’,” he explains. “This felt as if it would be a good thing – to be able to go and rule against people because they’ve got an annoying voice!” Romesh will be joined by Tom Davis and Kerry Howard – who make their opinions known as well. “We said, ‘I can’t believe this is our work!’” laughs Romesh. “We think about the repercussions of the things we said in it. We should probably give the clients a courtesy call…”…

ICE TO SEE YOU ITV has ordered a one-off drama all about the early years of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean and their rise to ice-dancing royalty. Humans and Game Of Thrones star Will Tudor is to play Chris, while Ackley Bridge’s Poppy Lee Friar will be appearing as Jayne. SINKING FEELING Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson return to Gold for a sequel to the Murder On The Blackpool Express. In Death On The Tyne, Terry and Gemma run into trouble once again on a river cruise. BEST FOOT FORWARD Alesha Dixon and Jordan Banjo will host BBC1’s The Greatest Dancer . The series is looking for aspiring dancers from a variety of different disciplines – for details on entering the contest, visit bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/takepart.…

MATT MILBURN (Tommy Orpington, Coronation Street) IN Former Hollyoaks star Matt is making a return to the cobbles after first turning up as footballer Tommy back in 2016. The Weatherfield FC player appeared in a handful of episodes on that occasion, leaving Steve completely star-struck after meeting a local hero! This time Tommy will be on hand to cheer up young Jack Webster, who recently lost his foot after an almost fatal battle with sepsis. Soon BONNIE LANGFORD (CarmelKazemi, EastEnders ) OUT  Bonnie is departing the Square later in the year, but her alter ego’s current spa break isn’t the last we’ll see of her, as Bonnie promises “there’s plenty more to come for Carmel.” Bonnie also tweeted a photo of herself in New York, referencing how she’ll…

CORRIE Business or pleasure? CARLA AND PETER GET CLOSER… Now that they’re both free agents again, there’s nothing stopping Carla and Peter from reuniting if they wanted to! Next week, a business proposition means the former couple are in cahoots again – but will they keep things professional? Or are the pair about to get up close and personal? EASTENDERS Message in a bottle! Ted receives contact from beyond the grave next week, as a letter is unearthed from late wife Joyce. But what is she telling him? And will her words provide comfort or concern? NEIGHBOURS Street sign sorrow HOME AND AWAY Justin the hero? HOLBY CITY Jac fights for her life! EMMERDALE Be that as it Maya! David will rue the day that he ever let go of…