Table of contents for 36 - 2019 in Inside Soap UK

“Sinead’s death will go down in soap history” Poor Sinead. Just as we thought she was out of the woods, she and Daniel are dealt a devastating blow this week, as they learn she has only months to live. Life can be cruel, and sometimes the soaps have to reflect that, no matter how hard a watch it may be in the coming months. The tragic departure of Sinead – someone so young, so kind and with so much to live for – will go down in soap history. Not only due to the talents of Katie McGlynn, who’s been a revelation as Sinead in the past year or so, but also because of all the other characters involved in the emotional plot – who will be left to pick…

IAN WOMEN All of Ian’s wives have cheated on him. That probably says more about him than it does them. 2/5 STABILITY Sadly, Ian suffered a mental breakdown that saw him flee Walford and end up on the streets homeless. 1/5 BUSINESS Ian managed the café for eons, has run various restaurants, and his chippie serves up a mean battered cod. 4/5 CHILDREN Peter is in New Zealand, Steven and Lucy are dead, and Bobby wants nothing more to do with him. 0/5 MAX WOMEN All of Max’s wives have been cheated on by him! That definitely says more about him than it does them! 1/5 STABILITY Sadly, Max suffered a mental breakdown that saw him self-harm and end up on the Queen Vic roof. 1/5 BUSINESS From selling motors…

Cobbles killer Gary Windass could find salvation in the arms of a new woman, Coronation Street star Mikey North tells Inside Soap. The actor – who plays Gary – has revealed that romance is on the cards for his troubled alter ego, despite having caused the deaths of two characters. So could the mystery new lady who catches his eye be the key to helping Gary sort out his life? “Potentially, yeah – it’s Rita!” jokes Mikey, as we grill him on who the lucky – or perhaps unlucky – love interest might be. “No, not really. Although obviously, a new romance could be the thing that sparks Gary back to reality. At the minute, apart from his kids, Gary doesn’t have a lot else to live for. He has…

Patsy Palmer’s return as Bianca is a fleeting one, but it’ll pave the way for fresh drama in Albert Square that’ll play over a year-long period. “We didn’t want to have that thing of: ‘Yay, it’s Bianca – bye then!’” explains EastEnders head honcho Kate Oates. “So we talked about having a story that propels after she’s gone.” “It kicks off another long-term arc,” adds executive producer Jon Sen. “It’s a plot that will sustain for 12-18 months…”…

Dr Ali’s life is a nightmare, but in real life, James Burrows – who plays him – is blissfully happy after proposing to his long-term girlfriend. James and partner Sophie Coates took a boat trip on Lake Windermere, where he produced a beautiful ring and popped the question. “So at the weekend I asked my best friend to be my wife, on a boat in the middle of the lake, and she said yes,” James wrote on Instagram. “It’s made me one happy man.” The newly engaged couple share a daughter, Betty Florence Burrows, who was born in April. Let’s hope that some of James’ real-life happiness rubs off on Dr Ali soon!…

It’s known that Kel’s arrival will kick off a big story for Bernie, Gemma and Paul. In the coming weeks, Paul will reveal that his stepfather sexually abused him as a child, and drama will ensue as Kel and Paul end up at odds with different members of the family over Paul’s revelation. Meanwhile, you’ll recognise star Joseph Alessi – aka Kel – from playing Mick Carter’s prison antagoniser, Fraser Philips, in EastEnders. Yep, Joseph was a soap villain only last year, as his vicious alter ego made Mick’s prison life hell. You may also have seen the star in Robert Downey Jnr’s film Chaplin, or Bridget Jones’s Diary – as well as telly shows The Bill, Minder, Holby City and Mr Selfridge.…

Bianca tries to make up for past mistakes this week, by spending time with her family and offering to take daughter Tiffany away for the weekend so that they can repair their bond. However, no amount of grovelling is going to wash with Tiff, who is still hurting over the idea that Bianca seemingly abandoned her while she was mixed up in drug-dealer Evie Steele’s gang. But is Tiff prepared for the truth when Bi finally fesses up to the real reason behind her absence? “Bianca’s not in the running for Mum of the Year,” scoffs our Walford spy. “That said, viewers can trust she has a cast-iron excuse for not being around. As ever, trouble is never far behind her!” At the beginning of the week, Bianca is excitedly…

FAIR CITY Damien is stressed out as he prepares for Caoimhe and Saoirse’s visit this week, and becomes suspicious of Will’s motives. Elsewhere, Carol feels under pressure as plans for the festival get started. Plus, Paul is annoyed and ramps up the conflict with Hughie. RIVER CITY Scarlett and Dougie’s relationship strains further this week, as their wedding day draws closer. Meanwhile, Nicole desperately tries to keep Alex interested. Finally, Joe tries to distance himself from the damning allegations about Ruby. THE ARCHERS Freddie resorts to collecting plastic bottles for the art project initiative this week, but receives short shrift from Emma. Elsewhere, as Jill sorts out junk from the attic, David finds something they all wish he hadn’t. And Eddie worries about his son, Will, but can he get…

The one thing Neighbours does best is bringing back old characters, and what a brilliant idea to have all of Paul Robinson’s former wives back in Erinsborough at the same time! The fact that even the Alessi twins – who haven’t been seen for almost 30 years – are back as well is just fantastic. I can’t wait to see what choas they all cause for Paul. He deserves it! Hanna, Kettering Surely it can’t just be a coincidence that first Gail, and now Lyn have rocked up on the eve of Paul’s wedding to Terese? It must be some kind of plot they’ve all come up with to ruin the ceremony! I can’t wait for Rebecca and Christina to arrive too. Dave So this is my theory about Paul’s…

When Mandy showed up in the Dales for the very first time in 1996, Inside Soap was just four years old. We still have fond memories of her first shoot for the mag, in which she joined Ian Kelsey (Dave Glover) for some fun in a feather boa down the casino! And Lisa hasn’t forgotten… “Do I remember that? Of course I do!” she hoots. “I was a kid back then and had just joined one of the biggest shows on telly. And I definitely remember that feather boa – Mandy’s not that camp any more, she’s smartened up her act a little bit since!” By huge coincidence, however, while she’s reflecting on the past, our question brings Lisa back to the present day – as it transpires that there’s…

“NONE OF THE FAMILY EVER KNEW THAT WE HAD SPANISH IN US!” There aren’t many people who, when approached to go on Who Do You Think You Are?, can ask their spouse, “How was it for you?” Luckily for Mark Wright, his wife Michelle Keegan was the subject of the first episode of the 2018 series, so he had an idea of what to expect – although, as Inside TV catches up with him to chat about the final episode of the current run, he tells us that there’s no steeling yourself for it… “I’d say it’s something you can’t really prepare for until you’ve done it,” Mark tells us. “I love the show, and I’ve always thought I’d like to do it – mainly for my grandad, because our…

RYAN’S BABY JOY! Former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas (who played Jason Grimshaw from 2000 to 2016) is about to become a father for the second time – this time with fiancée Lucy Meklenburgh. Ryan already has one daughter, Scarlett, with ex-wife Tina O’Brien (Corrie’s Sarah Platt). Ryan and Lucy announced their happy news with a video in which 10-year-old Scarlett was presented with a balloon reading ‘You’re going to be a big sister’. ALFIE TO FACE PHIL AGAIN? EastEnders’ Alfie Moon fled Walford at the start of this year, after faking his own death, and diddling Phil out of £50,000. Phil’s since got most of his cash back, but could he yet get his revenge on naughty Alfie? Well, according to Alfie’s alter ego, actor Shane Richie, a rematch…

BETHANY She’s always had a soft spot for Gary and, having just shared a moment Daniel, Bethany is definitely at a romantic crossroads. Over her mum Sarah’s dead body will it happen. Oh, wait… CARLA Carla has copped off with younger men before and, having played a part in the factory roof debacle, she and Gary have lots in common. But would Carla really leave Peter for the bloke who sparked her breakdown? MARIA The Street’s black widow is an absolute disaster magnet when it comes to men, so Gary is right up her alley. That said, we’ll be surprised if she dumps dishy Dr Ali for a cowboy builder – even with the GP’s drug addiction! SHONA Shona and David are due to be torn apart in some way…

It was the bombshell that had all soap fans up in arms, as Chester serial killer Breda McQueen seemingly claimed her next victim – village stalwart Tony! Viewers were outraged when the gruesome granny stabbed Tony, appearing to end his life. But there was another huge surprise, as it turned out that Tony wasn’t actually dead – he was in fact being held hostage by Breda on her pig farm! We caught up with actor Nick Pickard, who’s played Tony since 1995, to see what he made of his character’s near-death experience… What was your reaction when you first heard about this plot twist, Nick? I was pretty shocked! Luckily, I bumped into [Hollyoaks boss] Bryan Kirkwood in the corridor and he said to me, “You don’t really die, don’t…

“I think Bernice and Dr Cavanagh’s wedding should be murder-mystery themed, as he likes all that stuff so much. But then there would be an actual murder, and they’d have to solve it! Sounds like a brilliant week of episodes to me.” …suggests reader Tom from Croydon “After she seemed to know what’s happening with Chantelle, I’d like the medium who visited Bailey to move to Albert Square, and give characters cryptic hints about their future storylines – preferably in rhyme!” …chuckles reader Sue “I’ve never hated a soap character as much as I hate Geoff in Corrie. Could we have a story where a hole opens in the Street and he plummets, screaming, straight into the fiery depths of hell? Just a thought.” …muses reader Julia “My favourite Hollyoaks…

“We should probably call the whole thing off. One of us will probably be dead by the end of the wedding day. Face it, we’re cursed. I blame it on that fortune teller I gave the middle finger to when I was 14.” Yes – that fortune teller now works for the Corrie storyline department. “I’ve had a nutty few years, to be honest. I found out my sister is actually my mother, and my dad-slashgrandad died, and then my wife got ill with cancer, and I was banged up for a few months.” Don’t forget the Queen Vic’s dry rot. Dark times. “Drink if you’ve ever kissed your boss!” “Your pimp counts as a boss, don’t it?” “When I came here, I was a different person. I was outgoing,…

The reality of Moira and Nate’s illicit affair hits home this week, as the secret lovers struggle to find time alone. The pair reckon that their luck’s in when they get the house to themselves, but are soon disturbed by oblivious Paddy and his dad Bear. This awkward development leaves thoughtful Moira to wonder whether the risk she’s taking in sleeping with Nate behind her husband Cain’s back is really worth it. So with Kerry having already caught the clandestine couple at it, could it be time for them to call off their fling?…

There’s a lovely surprise in store for Iain this week, when he’s reunited with his former boss, and good pal, Dixie. It’s while he and Ruby are out on a tricky shout that Iain calls for backup from HEMS – the helicopter emergency medical service – and is shocked when Dixie arrives. It doesn’t take long for her and Iain to fall back into an easy working relationship, and the pair end the day catching up together over a drink. But when Dixie mentions there’s a job vacancy at HEMS, will Iain be tempted to apply?…

FROCK STAR Could you tell me where I can get Tina O’Brien’s [Corrie’s Sarah] dress that she is wearing in the ‘Vote for Coronation Street for Inside Soap Awards 2019’ pages in last week’s issue? Nicola Tina’s dress is LOLA by Nadine Merabi – it’s a bit pricey at £245, but you can hire it for a special occasion at www. mycelebritydress.com TYLER’S AGE CONCERN Exactly how old is Vicky’s son Tyler meant to be in Coronation Street? I’m sure he was friends with Simon Barlow at school, yet recently with his facial hair he looks about 27! Am I just confused? Becky, London I can see where the confusion has come  from – Tyler looks much older than he really is! When he got Amy Barlow pregnant back in…

“When I first thought about Finn returning, I had so many concerns – mainly, who would really want this character back on screen?” ponders Hollyoaks star Keith Rice as we sit down with him to talk about his controversial alter ego’s imminent return to Chester. “Personally I don’t want to see him back, so would anyone else?” Finn has been released following a four-year stint in prison for the rape of John Paul McQueen and the attempted rape of Nancy. And as Keith predicts, Finn doesn’t exactly receive a warm welcome. “Finn had to come out of prison at some point,” says Keith. “He has to have a life, whether that be in Hollyoaks or elsewhere. It’s an interesting story, though, to explore how someone like Finn could be integrated…

It may be over 25 years since they were last on our screens, but Gayle and Gillian tell us that they still have some loyal fans who like to keep track of what they’re up to these days. “We still get recognised when we’re in Australia or the UK,” Gillian tells us. “A few of our original diehard fans have found our social media platforms, and stayed in contact with us, which we appreciate.” However, as Gayle explains, they’re sometimes mistaken for an entirely different group of lookalike siblings… “Most people we meet think we’re [Irish pop group] the Corrs at first!” she giggles. “It’s been nearly three decades since we disappeared from view and started building new lives in the US, so we do get that about 75 per…

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I adore Mrs Brown’s Boys, but I also like old-school comedies, such as Only Fools And Horses – I’ve watched every episode about 30 times! Of the more recent shows, Sex Education is really good – I like the way that they made the awkwardness around sex and relationships funny and engaging. I think Chernobyl on Netflix is the best miniseries that I’ve ever watched. I love science and medicine, so seeing the effects of nuclear radiation on the human body was fascinating. The way that they did it was quite respectful, too, I thought. The best film I’ve seen recently is Last Breath on Netflix. It’s a docufilm about a deep-sea diver whose ship gets pulled off-course and rips him off the sea bed, breaking his air supply, and…

CASUALTY Connie Beauchamp.......... Amanda Mealing Rosa Cadenas......................... Jacey Sallés Ciaran Coulson....................... Rick Warden Iain Dean..................... Michael Stevenson Lisa ‘Duffy’ Duffin................ Cathy Shipton Charlie Fairhead.............. Derek Thompson Noel Garcia.......................... Tony Marshall Ethan Hardy.................... George Rainsford David Hide................................ Jason Durr Archie Hudson..................... Genesis Lynea Jan Jenning............................... Di Botcher Dylan Keogh........................... William Beck Marty Kirkby................ Shaheen Jafargholi Jade Lovall.......................... Gabriella Leon Rash Masum........................... Neet Mohan Jacob Masters....................... Charles Venn Robyn Miller................ Amanda Henderson Will Noble................................. Jack Nolan Mason Reede.......................... Victor Oshin Ruby Spark................................ Maddy Hill CORONATION STREET Aadi Alahan...................... Zennon Ditchett Asha Alahan......................... Tanisha Gorey Dev Alahan........................ Jimmi Harkishin Aggie Bailey......................... Lorna Laidlaw Eddison Bailey....... Trevor Michael Georges James Bailey..................... Nathan Graham Michael Bailey....................... Ryan Russell Adam Barlow...................... Sam Robertson Amy Barlow.......................... Elle Mulvaney Ken Barlow......................... William Roache Peter Barlow....................... Chris Gascoyne Leanne…

All hell breaks loose at No 45 Albert Square this week, as killer Bobby takes drastic action to put his violent past behind him once and for all. Since returning to Walford having served three years in a young offenders institution, for grievous bodily harm and the unlawful killing of his sister, Lucy, remorseful Bobby has sought comfort from Islam in his mission to heal. However, as Ian’s son continues to be haunted by visions of Lucy – while also learning a sordid secret with regards to his father’s history with Rainie – desperate Bobby makes a decision that threatens to derail his road to recovery… “Viewers are about to find out just how tortured Bobby’s soul really is,” warns our Walford insider. “He’s working so hard to find peace…

BIG MISTAKE In 2007, Mercedes found herself pregnant by Tony, who was her sister Jacqui’s boyfriend! Riddled with guilt, she had a termination. FATHER OR SON? When Mercy found out that she was pregnant with Bobby, she didn’t know if the father was her fiancé Riley Costello, or his dad, Carl! A DNA test revealed it was Riley. ANGEL GABRIEL While pregnant with her second son, Gabriel, Mercy was devastated to discover that he had died in the womb. In heartbreaking scenes, Mercy gave birth to Gabriel with her family by her side. CUSTODY BATTLE Following the death of her fiancé Joe Roscoe, Mercedes wanted to be a mother to his two kids, JJ and Lexi. So she was inconsolable when Joe’s mum Sandy took the children to live with…

Fiz’s return to Weatherfield was far from the happy homecoming that she had hoped – and it doesn’t sound as if things are set to improve! While Fiz accepts Hope’s fibs that she didn’t light the blaze at the factory – and her mum remains optimistic that the several months spent in Birmingham trying to rehabilitate her were a success – she has decided that home-schooling is the best way forward while they await Hope’s readmission to Bessie Street. However, is Fiz biting off more than she can chew? “From day one, Fiz realises she’s not going to be a good teacher,” shares Jennie McAlpine, who plays her. “So all along they are worrying, and I think the audience will be worrying, too, and thinking, ‘Is Hope worse than she…

It was just 10 days after her own cancer diagnosis when Staffordshire postwoman Lynn Hill underwent surgery. She remembers crying all the way into theatre, but knew it was an important first step in her treatment – so fully appreciates how Jean is feeling… “I felt so scared about what they’d find,” she says. “And I was scared that I might not wake up or see my family again, but I didn’t feel I could share this as we were all in shock with the diagnosis. It’s easier to speak to someone [like Jean’s Daniel] who’s had a cancer diagnosis, because you don’t get all the normal platitudes such as ‘You can beat this, be strong, they’ll find a cure, you’ve nearly finished chemo…’ “Jean’s storyline has been amazing for…

Jasmine questions her husband Robbo’s shifty behaviour this week, and demands to know what he’s hiding from her – but will she regret probing him for all the gruesome details? With the people who killed his late wife and children after him again, Robbo’s on high alert – however, his panic rises further when a suspicious note is pushed under his front door! The paper has the words ‘Time for you to talk’ scrawled across it, leaving Robbo terrified that the dangerous criminals have managed to track him down… The protective husband is determined to keep the truth from Jasmine until he knows exactly what they’re dealing with. But with wife Jasmine demanding to understand why the can’t leave their home, and Robbo failing to give her any definitive answers,…

Mitchell tries to hide his burgeoning feelings for Scott from girlfriend Cleo this week – by pretending that Scott made a pass at him! Mitchell failed to stand up for Scott when Walter made cruel marks about his sexuality, and Cleo demands to know why her boyfriend was such a coward. Not wanting to admit that he kissed Scott behind Cleo’s back, Mitchell lies that Scott was the one who initiated the snog! So how will Cleo react to her mate making a move on her man?…

When Mandy Dingle crashed back into the Dales at the start of this year, it was a belated Christmas gift worth waiting for. It had been almost two decades since Mandy had left her wayward clan behind – and while she stayed for only a handful of episodes, it was as if she’d never been away. A seamless return is a challenge even the most legendary of soap characters can struggle with, particularly after such an extended period of time – something Lisa Riley, who plays the Dingle dame, was well aware of. “There’s a whole generation of Emmerdale viewers who wouldn’t have had a clue who Mandy is!” she chuckles ahead of Mandy’s latest reprise. “But I was blown away by the reaction when she came back. I’ve never…

This week sees Ryan rescue his brother Ali after an overdose, but will the secret push them together – or apart? We sat down with actor Ryan Prescott to talk about his alter ego Ryan’s brother bother – and unholy alliance with Gary... So, how are Ryan and Ali getting along at the moment? Ryan’s formed a bond with Ali, which came from hatred in the early stages. Yet we then saw a sibling dynamic of rivalry but ultimately care – although it can at times feel a little distorted! As sad as it sounds, other than Ryan’s mum, his brother is the only friend he has. Ali is a doctor, while Ryan’s been drifting a bit. Does that have an effect on him? It was certainly the seed for…

Sam & Alice Emmerdale (2006) THE HAPPY COUPLE Sam Dingle had finally found love with fellow chicken lover Alice Wilson, but cancer had blighted their lives together. While pregnant, Alice discovered she had non-Hodgkin lymphoma and refused chemo until baby Samson was born. WE DO After discovering her cancer was terminal, Alice and Sam vowed to have a beautiful wedding. Their home-spun do, which even featured a fairground, was heartfelt and emotional – especially as they knew they were living on borrowed time. HAPPILY EVER AFTER? Alice lived just a few months after saying “I do” to Sam. When the pain got too much, her loving husband gave her an overdose of morphine to help her die with dignity, ending one of the soap’s most tragic love stories. Fred…

1 Tony David Clay was born on 8 August 1991 in Kent, to mum Suzanne and dad Christopher. He has two younger sisters, Christina and Chelsea. The star still lives in the area, and supports local charities, recently taking part in a football match to raise funds for mental health. He studied drama at the Arts Ed School Of Acting in west London. 2 Tony joined EastEnders as Callum ‘Halfway’ Highway on 1 January 2018 and he certainly arrived with a bang. “It was mad – I shot Mick on New Year’s Day, so that was one way of announcing myself!” shares Tony. “The response on Twitter was scary!” Since Callum’s arrival, the now ex-solider has wooed Whitney, but is also currently embroiled in a tortured romance with Ben. 3…

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SOMETIMES A SHOW SPRINGS into life fully-formed from the first minute, and when Brassic burst onto our screens in a haze of Shetland Pony theft and chloroform-fuelled car crashes, we knew we were in for a treat. This affectionate portrayal of working-class life in a small town is full of wit, charm and heart, and reminds us of what we loved about Shameless in its golden era. While we love the whole gang, Ryan Sampson’s amoral, sex-obsessed Tommo is also a reliable highlight of every episode. Sky clearly knew it was on to a good thing, because it’s already ordered a second series……

HOME AGAIN Channel 4 comedy Home, written by and starring Rufus Jones, is back. After immigrant Sami (Youssef Kerkour) moved in with a Dorking family, series two will look at the aftermath of his asylum interview with the Home Office. Hugh Laurie is to return to BBC1 in new four-part political thriller Roadkill, from Collateral writer David Hare. He’ll be playing Tory minister Peter Laurence, who’s determined to pursue his own agenda while his enemies plot to bring him down. CAFÉ CULTURE Brenda Blethyn and Jimmy Akingbola have signed up for ITV’s new comedy Kate And Kolo. It charts the burgeoning but volatile friendship between a local café owner and an asylum-seeking African doctor.…

SUSAN COOKSON (Marion Logan, Coronation Street) IN Cast your mind back to Corrie’s Callum Logan storyline. The biological parents of young Max Turner are both dead – Kylie Platt murdered babydaddy Callum, and a year later Kylie herself was killed. So her widow, David, found himself as Max’s legal guardian, but now David’s banged up, Max’s granny, Marion, is back on the scene! Star Susan Cookson – recently seen as Wendy Posner in Emmerdale – reprises the role. Autumn HELEN WORTH (Gail Rodwell, Corrie ) IN We haven’t seen Gail on the cobbles since she packed her bags and jetted off to Bangkok back in July, following a frosty exchange with her mum, Audrey. In reality, actress Helen – who’s the show’s third longest-running star, after William…

BULLSEYE! Who doesn’t love a sneak peek at their Christmas present? That’s how we felt on seeing Sharon’s baby scan, as you can bet that EastEnders’ biggest secret is set to explode over the festive season, and make it – as the old saying goes – the best Christmas Walford’s ever ’ad. We just hope this Taylor-Mitchell baby has a chance to meet its daddy before Phil wrings Keanu’s neck! Kim’s plan to convert a chocolate factory into an outdoor pursuits centre makes us worry that she’s been sat downwind of Doug’s special cigarettes. Meanwhile, even as a model, the place looks like an absolute death trap. You know the Slaters have been busy in the plots when the kids are in desperate need of a haircut. Poor Arthur can’t…